Read this account of our first save, a 63 year old who refused to be a victim! This is the actual email received on October 18, 2006, with his name and location concealed, per his request. 

I firmly believe that your device saved my life. For some odd reason I slept very poorly that night, I tossed and turned and kept waking up. I got up at midnight and packed my suitcase and set it on the stairs next to the hatch boards. I intended to leave the next morning early. I also, for some strange reason, located the flare gun and insert and put it next to me where I slept. Then I went to bed again and tried to sleep. At 3 am I bolted upright, something had startled me awake. It could not been a noise because I am deaf.  I got up and looked out of the side ports and saw someone breaking into the boat next door. He had two seedy looking companions with him (he did not look very inviting either), one was on top of the gangway keeping a look out and the other one he was handing the articles to that he was taking from the boat.  I immediately called 911. It seemed forever before the 911 operator answered.  As I was describing were I was in the marina and at the same time keeping the crooks in my vision. I just knew that my boat would be next, and it was. I ran forward to my stateroom as they were removing the hatch boards (they were unlocked since I was sleeping below) I called out to them to “get the hell of my boat”, it seemed that there was absolutely no hesitation by the first person to continue coming towards me, he was carrying a large screwdriver and a hammer. I felt threatened, so I aimed the flare gun and pulled the trigger. I nailed him in the leg. That stopped him in his tracks. The second person ran off – right into the arms of the police. I don’t know what would have happened that night if I would have been asleep or not armed. The 12 gauge flare gun (plastic) had also disintegrated – the barrel broke off. But all I needed was one shot anyway. (So I am glad that you are offering these inserts for the metal 25mm launchers)

The police later said that it is very common for drug users to break into boats since they contain easily sold items (small TV’s, cameras, binoculars etc.)  They also told me that they suspected that this same gang had broken into 33 other boats in the previous two weeks and they caused more damage breaking into the boats than the value of the articles they stole were worth. All of them had a record; the one that did the – breaking – into – the - boat had an especially long rap sheet including armed robbery. One policeman said that he would not recommend being unarmed in these marinas close to the bigger cities. It’s just inviting for you to get hurt. I also asked him what their reaction would have been to me if I would have climbed out of the boat with the gun in hand. His comment was: a guy with a gun and a cell phone?? We would shake his hand. Please do not publish my name or the name of the ********** **** marina were this has happened for obvious reasons. Oh the wound – turned out to be superficial - too bad. The main part of the bullet had penetrated into the stairs. My hand must have been shaking more than I would admit. The marina was so kind to pay for the repair.

Peter **********

S/V **********

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