Comms & Customs

Communications update

The introduction of modems, smart phones and iPads adds a new dimension to communicating from your yacht in the Bahamas via cellular or wireless voice and/or data. BTC (Bahamas Telecommunications Company) services all of the Bahamas with cellular and wireless access with a GSM SIM card chip, which they call Cybercell. You can sign up for voice or data or both, but you must bring your own unlocked device with you. BTC plans to upgrade from 3G to the faster 4G service soon.

The easiest choice for voice and data is to get a Bahamas cell phone number. You will need to bring with you an unlocked GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) phone. Most of the BTC offices can set you up with a $15 SIM card and a month-to-month prepaid service for $40. These cards can be topped up online, via your phone or at a BTC office. Calling rates within the Bahamas are quite reasonable. Texting is quite inexpensive—free for the receiving Bahamas cell phone, and 5¢ for the sender. Calling back to the U.S. is a bit more expensive with this method, but not unreasonable.

If you have an unlocked compatible device such as a Zoom, Aircard, MyFi, smart phone or iPad (AT&T version, not Verizon), you can have the setup done for you at BTC’s CyberWorld on Bay Street in Nassau. (Typically, the out-island BTC offices are equipped only to activate your cell phone with a prepaid or postpaid plan, not to set up other devices.) You will need a mini-SIM card for a modem such as MyFi or for your iPad. Nassau is the only place where this can be set up for you, unless you are techno-savvy and have your own mini-SIM card and can activate through your cell phone.

The prepaid plan is recommended as you can purchase just one month at a time with no contract. Conversely, the postpaid plan requires a $200 deposit, which is extremely difficult to get back.

Bahamas customs update

We have had varying reports from Bahamas cruisers clearing in with Bahamas Customs. Some yachts have gotten as few as 30-45 days on their cruising permit in Nassau, as many as 180 days in Lucaya, and 220 days in Marsh Harbour. It appears that non-U.S. citizens are the ones getting the lower number days’ stay in the country. As in the past, if you want to stay longer, you will need to appear at a Customs office on or near the expiration date and apply for an extension.

Rumors have recently circulated that the Bahamas would soon require vessels to clear OUT of the country as well as IN. We checked with Bahamas Customs and learned that there is no such proposal before Parliament.

U.S. customs & border protection update

The Small Vessel Reporting System (SVRS), a voluntary program offered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), helps cruisers report their arrival to the U.S. at no charge. The program is designed to expedite entry of legitimate cruisers, enabling CBP officers to focus their attention on higher-risk travelers and craft. SVRS is available to: U.S. citizens, nationals and lawful permanent residents; Canadian citizens; and permanent residents of Canada who are nationals of a Visa Waiver Program country.

Enrolling is free online:

1. Complete an application at: cbp.gov/SVRS
2. Schedule an interview online with a CBP officer
3. Receive a boating registration number and password by email

SVRS participants should report their entry to the U.S. quickly too, by calling a dedicated telephone line and responding to the questions. (The CBP reserves the right to hold an in-person inspection if needed.) The system is currently available around the Southeast in Florida, Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands. It is also deployed at the U.S./Canada border.

Author’s note: One of the problems with the procedure above is that you have to schedule a face-to-face interview at an authorized reporting location. The list of possible locations includes none in our home state or any other state within 500 miles of our home. The interview would have to be conducted in Florida at one of the CBP offices, none of which can be reached directly by boat. Even though CBP has plenty of boats and the USCG has a number of waterfront locations, there is nowhere to clear in or contact CBP at a waterfront location. Their closest office to a marina is at Fernandina Beach where their office is only about a half mile away from the Fernandina Harbor Marina. That might work if you can arrive on a weekday. There is also a facility at the Port of Palm Beach, where it is impossible to land a dinghy. Most of their locations are convenient only for persons arriving in the country by airplane or cruise ship. Most cruisers have to tie up at a marina and hire a taxi for a ride to the nearest airport.

Bahamas 2012 fly-in schedule and activities

• January 13-15: Pelican Bay Resort, Lucaya, Grand Bahama (Bahama Mama tropical drinks).
• February 10-12: Bimini Big Game Club (conch-out dining).
• March 2-4: Taino Beach Resort and Club, Grand Bahama (exploring Grand Bahama’s towns).
• April 13-15: Club Peace and Plenty, Georgetown, Exuma (tropical coconut drinks).
• May 4-6: Fernandez Bay Resort, Cat Island (story-telling).
• June 1-2: Pineapple Fields Resort, Governors Harbour, Eleuthera (pineapple festival).

For more details: bahamas.com/webform/9028/fly-ins