Well, just got the vacation schedule for this year. The wife wants to take a cruise to the Caribbean, was wondering if anybody else has done this with any success or encountered any problems while doing so. I have been doing some research, err. googlin' this stuff. Cant find much info on if this is cool or not. I don't see why it would be a problem, but you know.
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Cruise + Detector = Trouble?
- Thread starter thejetman
- Start date
n/t
I figure any port of call for a cruise ship is dependent on tourism so I think it's unlikely that you would be hassled by anyone for metal detecting.
Some beaches that the ship visits may not have had much detector traffic so you might clean up on jewelry.
Keep some ID with you and proof that you're from the cruise ship and you'll likely be golden.
Post some pics when you return. Piles of recovered gold jewelry are always fun to look at
Some beaches that the ship visits may not have had much detector traffic so you might clean up on jewelry.
Keep some ID with you and proof that you're from the cruise ship and you'll likely be golden.
Post some pics when you return. Piles of recovered gold jewelry are always fun to look at
I'd just contact the Visitors Bureau in the port that you'd like to detect in. When you start talking about dealing with local governments in the Caribbean, they are known for being a little difficult. People here in the states are ignorant of what we are about and would imagine it could be compounded in lesser economic climates. (HOLD IT! We are in a lesser economic climate!!!) Wouldn't hurt to research a bit and make sure that you have any permits etc.. Sounds like a fun vacation ahead!!! ENJOY!
You've got to be careful about asking the local visitor's bureaus and local governments. I mean, it would be no different than if a foreign travelor were getting ready to vacation in the USA. If he were to call or write ahead to the typical USA bureaucrat, lawyer, or consulate, he might be told "no you can't do that here in the USA". Why? because simply the person receiving the inquiry may be couching their answer in terms of shipwreck salvor laws, federal or state property, ARPA, Shiloh, Bodie, antiquity laws, etc.... Ie.: it depends on who you ask, and how they couch your question.
For example: In the early 1980s, Fisher Co. used to have a monthly or quarterly periodical. In it, they had a question and answer column. In one issue, there was a question from a reader saying they were getting ready to vacation in Mexico, at a beach resort, and they wanted to know if "metal detecting was allowed there". Fisher's letter-to-the-editor people answered in a paragraph titled "When going to Mexico, leave the detectors at home" Basically the answer was "no, metal detecting is illegal in Mexico" etc.... In the SUBSEQUENT issue, other people wrote into the Q&A column asking things like "Since when?" "Who told you that?" "where did you get this info?". Turns out people have/had been going down there for years. Detectors are a common site on tourist beaches in Mexico. In fact, there are dealers in Mexico, EVEN FISHER DEALERS doh!
Fisher, in response to the people who took exception to their answer, explained where they'd gotten their information: THEY ASKED. They must've gone to a Mexican lawyer, consulate, border patrol, or ........ who knows? And of course, in their mind, "who better to ask than Mexico themselves?" But you can see that whomever fielded their questions could have couched it in terms of federal land, pyramaid antiquity laws, treasure salvor and/or export laws, etc... blah blah blah.
Yes, I know it's a catch 22, because how are you supposed to know, if you didn't ask? I'd just inquire of local hobbyists and dealers, and see what the real skinny is. To as govt. officials, is just inviting a "rule to be written" to "address your pressing issue".
For example: In the early 1980s, Fisher Co. used to have a monthly or quarterly periodical. In it, they had a question and answer column. In one issue, there was a question from a reader saying they were getting ready to vacation in Mexico, at a beach resort, and they wanted to know if "metal detecting was allowed there". Fisher's letter-to-the-editor people answered in a paragraph titled "When going to Mexico, leave the detectors at home" Basically the answer was "no, metal detecting is illegal in Mexico" etc.... In the SUBSEQUENT issue, other people wrote into the Q&A column asking things like "Since when?" "Who told you that?" "where did you get this info?". Turns out people have/had been going down there for years. Detectors are a common site on tourist beaches in Mexico. In fact, there are dealers in Mexico, EVEN FISHER DEALERS doh!
Fisher, in response to the people who took exception to their answer, explained where they'd gotten their information: THEY ASKED. They must've gone to a Mexican lawyer, consulate, border patrol, or ........ who knows? And of course, in their mind, "who better to ask than Mexico themselves?" But you can see that whomever fielded their questions could have couched it in terms of federal land, pyramaid antiquity laws, treasure salvor and/or export laws, etc... blah blah blah.
Yes, I know it's a catch 22, because how are you supposed to know, if you didn't ask? I'd just inquire of local hobbyists and dealers, and see what the real skinny is. To as govt. officials, is just inviting a "rule to be written" to "address your pressing issue".
Well for the record, I have metal detected in Manzanillo without any repercussions. I went through customs with my detector in my carry-on, hunted and never had a problem.
As for the Caribbean islands, I don't know. But I would want to know ahead of time if they are going to confiscate my equipment or even worse throw me in some cell because I was misinformed. Worrying about keeping what you find is another issue altogether. Regulations also can change over time. You need only look at what's happening right here in the United States to see proof of that. Peace of mind isn't a bad thing.
Crispytoo
As for the Caribbean islands, I don't know. But I would want to know ahead of time if they are going to confiscate my equipment or even worse throw me in some cell because I was misinformed. Worrying about keeping what you find is another issue altogether. Regulations also can change over time. You need only look at what's happening right here in the United States to see proof of that. Peace of mind isn't a bad thing.
Crispytoo