Bob commented: "Three things seem to terrify our listees beyond normal paranoia" I don't believe my concern for Piracy "terrifies me beyond normal paranoia". Time and preparedness are the tools for dealing with weather. Preparation and practice are the skills for dealing with a sinking, regardless of cause. Knowledge and planning are the only things I can do to deal with a force that is so foreign to me that it, as Peter so helpfully observed, "rattles me deep to the pit of my stomach". I don't know what it's like to look into the eyes of another human being who has no regard for life. To realize, because of this little quest of mine, my wife is here beside me and it may cost her and I our lives, makes me fell ill. I can't think of another adventure I'll undertake in my life that causes me to ask myself if I'm prepared to kill another human being. But, because piracy is a risk, albeit it small, I have to ask and answer this question. I have to ask and answer it to make a decision about arming myself. This forum is about sharing information. The people who have shared their experience will never know how much help they have been to people like me. To get Dave's email discussing the value of an alarm in the form of a dog barking, or to hear from Bob Austin about techniques he has used in the past gives me a very good feeling that I'm hearing from people who have been there and done that. Without access to these people, all I would have is books. Books written to be sold. Don't get me wrong, they can be a great resource, but it's the people on this list that make it so valuable. In summary, while some may feel the topic is over-hyped, I greatly value the feedback of those willing to share their thoughts and ideas. Scott Bulger, Alanui, N40II, Seattle WA