12 ga shotgun is very limited in range and due to the shell size, limited
in firepower and very limited in accuracy.

The 12 ga finds limited use.

I carry a remington mariner with every third round a slug just in case you
have to reach out and touch someone. I also carry a mini-14 folder but if
you think about it... shooting at someone over 100 yards is not exactly self
defense. With all the boats out there, I would bet if you put up a
defense most pirates will find another vessel to steal.

BTW... ALWAYS declare...I know someone whose AMMO count was a few bullets
off and he was detained for a few hours in the bahamas