Family islands are ready for the summer season with new spots to dock and dine. 

By Sara Lewis

 

The Abacos

The season seems to be off to a good start with many cruising yachts and charter vessels anchored and moored in the traditional spots and moving around the Sea of Abaco.

-Spanish Cay- Off-season dockage is currently $1/ft. The cay’s new manager is gracious and helpful with all needs.

-Green Turtle Cay- In the New Plymouth settlement, there is a new bakery and restaurant, Crazy Love. That somewhat offsets the unfortunate closing of a long-time source of good food, Laura’s Kitchen and the New Plymouth Inn. The dinghy landing at the government freight boat dock was destroyed by Hurricane Irene and has not been rebuilt. Landing is possible inside the settlement harbour at the ferry boat dock.

-Great Guana Cay- At the government dock in the harbour, a new restaurant, Bambi Café, has opened. Opening soon for the season is Pirates Cove (formerly Seashore Villas), but their laundry is no longer operational. In the harbour, laundry is open only to guests at Orchid Bay Marina. Moorings in Fishers Bay from Dive Guana are now $20/night. Since trash is not being picked up regularly in the settlement, it would be courteous to take your trash to an island that does have a provision for dealing with it.

-Man O’ War Cay- The former Hibiscus Café has reopened as Bradleys. The Marina Dive Shop has limited hours of operation. Ask for them at the marina office.

-Hope Town, Elbow Cay- The new docks are open with full services at Hope Town Marina (formerly Club Soleil) and the restaurant is in its final stages of construction.

-Treasure Cay- Only four moorings remain in the harbour after Hurricane Irene. They are still $12/night and the fee for anchoring is $10/night, paid at Treasure Cay Marina. In peak times, it may be difficult to find a mooring or a place to anchor. Just north of Treasure Cay, the proposed Sandbank Marina, slated to open in spring of 2012, is still in the first phases of construction and not likely to be in operation soon.

-Marsh Harbour- With multiple fishing tournaments approaching, Abaco Beach Resort offers fishermen special dockage rates as low as $1.95 per foot/day when they sign up for any two tournaments in 2012 (with one being a Round-Up Series event). Fishing-friendly families also get their catch of fun from all the activities included in an Ultimate Family Getaway Package, available all season including the summer holidays. abacobeachresort.com

-Lubbers Quarter- Lubbers Landing on the southeast shore of Lubbers Quarter offers a waterside restaurant with a healthy menu and environmentally considerate cottages for rent.

-Little Harbour- The harbour and Pete’s Pub & Gallery remain charming and quaint. It’s always worth a visit.

Acklins/Crooked

-Salina  Point- The convenience store (with very limited supplies) and the Ocean View Guest House and Restaurant are open on the main road from the dock. The five rooms are adequate and clean, nothing fancy, but they do have television. The restaurant and bar are pleasant, however supplies arrive sporadically at Spring Point, so at times, food and drinks are minimal. Hurricane Irene impacted Delectable Bay and Spring Point more than Salina Point.

-Spring Point- The BTC office now has a high-speed ethernet connection for the yachtman’s laptop in the office and they are currently working on the 4G equipment. There was a good deal of damage ashore; clearly the north was hit the worst with many roofs damaged. The Chief Counselor on the Island said the government has approved the building of 18 homes for families whose homes were damaged beyond repair. The new island doctor said his residence still has a blue tarp, though the clinic has been repaired. Club Rolex’s roof was very heavily damaged and the restaurant/bar has moved across the street until repairs can be made.

-Crooked Island- Many large casuarina trees are uprooted and lying on the beach. The west side of the island had 140-mph winds and the beach erosion is noticeable.

Provisioning note: 

With escalating fuel costs and the state of the economy, most of the government mail boats have gone to a schedule of three times per month rather than a weekly visit to the Out Islands for the delivery of supplies. With that in mind, many of the small grocers will be a bit more limited in what they have to offer, especially with their fresh produce and meats. The larger stores that often get things weekly by plane are not as noticeably affected such as those in Marsh Harbour, Nassau, Spanish Wells, North Eleuthera, George Town and Salt Pond, Long Island. Also, availability of supplies is affected by whether it is considered off-season or in-season. For instance, in the Abacos, the peak season is May through June, whereas in the Exumas and farther south, it encompasses the winter months. Fishing tournaments and large harbors, which draw large numbers of yachts, also impact the products you can find. As you provision for your Bahamas cruise, plan to stock up on as much fresh garden items as you can. While in the islands, ask locally for people who have small farms and hydroponic gardens. You may be surprised to find some patches of green loaded with veggies in unexpected places, or where applicable, check out the government packing house the day before the mail boat comes.

Calling all Scullers

Sands Beer and Bahamian boatbuilder, Mr. Sheldon Gibson, have joined forces to revive the old Bahamian tradition and sport of sculling with the construction of four boats, each of which sports the name of one of Sands Beer brands: Sands, Sands Light, High Rock and Strong Back. The boats, according to President James Sands, were completed in February 2012 and will be used to revitalize the art of sculling—a hallmark of the mail boats taking items to various islands—including a June race during the Long Island Regatta in Salt Pond, Long Island.

Navigational update:

-The light at Little Harbour Abaco is not working. The channel going in to Little Harbour was deeper in March than in previous hydrographic surveys.

-The Don’t Rock passage off Treasure Cay was also deeper than our last survey, yet the fluid sand in the area constantly changes.

-We discovered a new 1.4-meter small coral head/rock just off the route from Mangrove Cay to Sale South waypoint. It is located approximately at 26° 55.014’ N/ 78° 26.763’ W and worth plotting on your chart.

Bimini Big Game Club

There have been several recent developments at the Bimini Big Game Club Guy Harvey Outpost & Marina. Neal Watson’s Dive Bimini is in full operation with a new 60-foot dive boat, Bimini Blue. There’s also a new Hemingway game room and bar—open on select nights—a new 40x 70 tent for outdoor functions, and a new water sports program at the club. biminiwatersports.com 

By Sara Lewis

Spanish Wells

The former Teen Planet Restaurant, closed for a while, has reopened under new management as Savory Isles, with dining upstairs and downstairs. The moorings in the eastern harbour have sturdy new tackle and have increased in price to $20/night. Call “Bandit” on the VHF to arrange for an overnight stay.

Highbourne Cay Marina recently opened its elegant open-air restaurant, Xuma (pronounced “Zooma”), serving the public as well as marina guests. The marina also has a new floating dinghy dock to accommodate small boats and dinghies needing fuel, ice or grocery supplies, or to come ashore for lunch or dinner.

Eleuthera

In the Eleuthera area, the Hatchet Bay light is no longer working. The pole is standing but the light is missing. Neither are the lights at Egg Island and Six Shillings working. There are new flashing white lights at both the north and south ends of Meeks Patch.

Gregory Town: Thompson Brothers Grocery and Bakery, the Sugar Apple Inn and The Cove Eleuthera are all closed. The effects of hurricanes and economic downturn are readily seen in this part of the island.

View from one of the many rental houses on Eleuthera. Kate Fears photo.

The Bogues: At Lower Bogue, the government dock has not been repaired since Hurricane Irene and landing is not permitted (nor recommended) at the dock, however, the beach east of the dock is fine. The construction of a new ferry terminal to Harbour Island is in progress.

Sign at Gun Point, North Eleuthera. Kate Fears photo.

The Bluff: Now that the Royal Island real estate development is on hold, the town has folded in on itself with few places of business open—no grocery stores and no places to eat. The North Eleuthera Supermarket—about a mile out of town—is the largest and best stocked on North Eleuthera.

Hatchet Bay Update: Good news for visiting yachtsmen; there is a new large, sturdy dinghy dock as you come into Hatchet Bay Pond on the right, which links directly to Alice Town making it much more convenient to go in for groceries and laundry. There’s also a covered pavilion with a picnic table for public use.

The newest eating place in town is The Twin Brothers Seafood and Steak House (242-335-0730), located immediately on the left as you go into Alice Town from the Queen’s Highway. It has a pleasant garden setting for dining as well as overnight efficiencies at the Bay Inn. In addition, there is a small convenience store/gift shop and car rentals available.

The Front Porch Restaurant on Hatchet Bay Pond across from the government dock overlooking Hatchet Bay Pond now has WiFi. The restaurant also has car rentals as does the nearby gas station.

As far as the Hatchet Bay Pond Harbour is concerned, there are new wrecks along the shore and in the water, presumably from Hurricane Irene. A sunken fishing boat is still tied up at the government dock. There are several moorings still in use in the harbor but you will need to supply your own tackle.

Frank’s Place, a small tiki-bar seaside restaurant, is closed. So is the Big General Store on the highway (it burned down) and CJ’s Variety in town. The government packing-house down the street does not sell fresh produce to the public. However, a new organic farm, Hearty Mow Farms, is just south of Hatchet Bay. You can land a dinghy on a low-tide beach and walk up the track road or hike a mile or so from the town to get a variety of fresh produce. It’s worth the effort! Call them at 242-470-5975 to arrange delivery.

Exumas

In the Exumas, off Normans Cay, Normans Stake at 24° 35.78’ N/76° 51.63’ W is now only awash at low water and should be considered a hazard. Normans Bar, shown to the east of Normans Stake, no longer dries in the areas shown on charts. Most of the bar is shallow to nearly dry at low water.

Off Elbow Cay in the Exumas, a series of coral reefs has been found northwest of the Elbow Cay waypoint with one head having less than two meters clearance at spring low water (SLW). At 24° 31.18’ N/76° 49.72’ W a SLW depth of 1.9 meters (6.2 feet) was measured over a protruding coral head. Another coral head lies at 24° 31.41’ N/76° 50.00’ W with SLW depth of 2.4 meters (7.8 feet). The series of reefs spreads over an area of approximately a half mile and is 0.2 to 0.4 mile west of and parallel to the course between Elbow Cay and Normans stake waypoints.

The Beacon Cay sectored light near the northernmost Exumas is no longer working. Both the tower and the light are gone.

Ty’s Sunset Bar and Grill opened in Little Farmers Cay in the Exumas, just in time for the Five F’s Festival (Farmers Cay First Friday in February Festival) located at the airstrip.

Pump-out facilities

Pump-out facilities in the Bahamas are still rather limited, although we understand that the Marinas of the Bahamas (MOB) is working on a requirement that all new marinas have pump-out facilities. Current pump-out locations include:

-Grand Bahama at Grand Bahama Yacht Club, 242-376-7616; and Port Lucaya Marina 242-373-9090; free pump out at the fuel docks for marina guests.

-Abacos in Treasure Cay, Marsh Harbour or Boat Harbour; call Louis Schneider at 242-367-2043 or 242-477-6559 to arrange for service. Fees vary.

-New Providence in Nassau Harbour, Atlantis Marina, 242-363-6068; in-slip pump out free to marina guests with a tip to the operator encouraged. Albany Marina 242-676-6020 has in-slip pump out for $30 per use.

Bush season in the Bahamas

Featured anchorage:  
Dollar Harbour, Long Island

Hearing reports of navigational changes to the route and entrance to Dollar Harbour west of Deadman’s Cay, a new survey in January 2012 revealed a couple of changes to be noted in the entrance to, and just inside, Dollar Harbour between Sandy Cay and Conch Cay. A small amount of shoaling has occurred north of the Dollar Harbour waypoint, limiting the controlling depth to approximately 1.3 meters (4 feet, 4 inches) at spring low water. The horseshoe-shaped shoal inside between Sandy Cay and Dollar Cay is deeper on the east side, allowing easier access into the protected anchoring areas, which the locals call “The Snakes.” A better description is “The Ribbons,” as you will see streamers of aqua-blue standing out against the cream-colored sand flats in an area that remains as unspoiled as it was on the day of Creation. This out-of-the-way haven is an on-the-way stopover for vessels traveling from north Long Island to the Crooked Island Passage, or down to the Ragged Islands.

Conception Island

Conception Island has been declared both a Land and Sea Park by the Bahamas National Trust in order to preserve its pristine natural beauty for future generations. It is a NO-TAKE ZONE, both on land and at sea out to 100 fathoms, including the creek that runs through the island. Recently, signs have been posted on Booby Cay and South Rocks, prohibiting landing to protect the nesting birds. No pets are allowed on these small islands, and pets must be on a leash also on the main island. At certain times of the year, you will see the spectacular mating dance of the tropical birds, and the yachting ornithologists will probably be able to add some new sightings to the Life List. It is definitely an area of exquisite beauty to be savored and kept untouched.

Changes in these latitudes:
Great Exuma update

North of Rolleville, on the north end of Great Exuma, a very attractive waterside dining place has opened, and the best part is that it is accessible by boat as well as by car. The newly opened Exuma Point presents a shaded pavilion plus under-the-blue-sky seating with a view of Exuma Sound. An all-day Bahamian buffet is available on Saturdays and Sundays. Amenities include a volleyball court for those who want to work off that cracked conch, a playground for the kids, and a swimming beach next to a sturdy new dock suited for large outboards and dinghies. There is a settled-weather anchorage shown off Black Cay, from which you can take your dinghy in for a delightful experience.

In the George Town area, there are a number of items in the “Business News” category. Downtown, The Two Turtles is open again serving lunch and dinner. The upstairs restaurant at Exuma Yacht Club (formerly Exuma Docking Services) is also serving meals once again. The Driftwood offers a little coffee shop with pastries and sandwiches. Pet’s Place has re-opened for the season. Big D’s on Stocking Island is being remodeled and expects to present meals soon to those coming by small boat to the dinghy dock. For Androsia fans, The Closet sells both fabric and ready-made clothing in the elegant Bahama-made batik material. For those who find the local laundry facilities crowded, the Baranki Laundromat near Cheetah’s Restaurant will pick customers up and take them to Cheetah’s for lunch while your laundry is being done. There is access from Red Shanks by dinghy as well. The Emerald Bay Shopping Center with its large food store is ceasing operations.

Rum Cay update

Sumner Point Marina has a new entrance route due to Hurricane Irene marked by a series of three buoys and carries enough water for at least a five-foot draft. Still, check with the marina office before entering. The marina is fully operational with water once again, so laundry and showers are available, and the office has a new VHF radio and Internet. In a cruiser’s words, “It is an incredible location with excellent snorkeling on the reefs, definitely a ‘don’t-miss’ spot.”

Long Island update

Long Island is recovering nicely from the not-so-gentle pass of Irene. Both full-service marinas, Stella Maris in the north and Flying Fish at Clarence Town, offer their usual amenities for yachtsmen. In the hub of the island at Salt Pond, Long Island Breeze has repaired its floating dinghy dock to accommodate numerous tie-ups for meals, laundry and Internet. Although Long Island Petroleum’s fuel dock is still not functioning, a yacht can arrange by VHF 16 to tie up at the government mailboat dock and have the fuel truck come down to fuel the yacht. The only caution here is that the concrete dock is unfendered and has only three widely spaced bollards for tying your lines.

The Thompson Bay Inn is also offering special buffets and happy hours at intervals for yachtsmen anchored in the harbour. There’s also the Sou’Side on the Queen’s Highway for burgers and more. As always, Long Island is a great place to re-stock and replenish the larder with two excellent, well-stocked grocery stores, Hillside and Harding’s. The government packing house at Clarence Town also offers inexpensive fresh produce, best when the mailboat is coming in. By sea on the north end of the island are two pleasant beach bistros where you can anchor off and dinghy in for refreshment—the Green Leaf Restaurant and Beach Bungalows near Harvey’s Bay. A land trip by rental car is essential to sample all that this beautiful island has to offer.

Other news and promotions

To help anglers avoid an unexpected extra dockage fee due to rough weather, Bimini Sands will now offer guests who have paid for two consecutive nights’ dockage in the marina, up to an additional five consecutive days’ free dockage until they can return to get their boat. Bimini Sands’ “Stuck in Paradise” promotion is available from now through March 31, 2012.

Meanwhile, dive legend and businessman Neal Watson has been re-elected for another two-year term as President of the Bahamas Diving Association. Watson and celebrated marine artist, scientist and conservationist Dr. Guy Harvey, joined forces last year to open Neal Watson’s Dive Bimini (biggameclubbimini.com/diving.htm), at the Bimini Big Game Club in Alice Town.

Finally, Staniel Cay Yacht Club is happy to announce the opening of the first three of its new hillside cottages.

Crackdown on crime, services improved, marinas reopen with cruiser incentives. 

SPECIAL EVENTS

To inaugurate the New Year, Staniel Cay sponsored a unique event. Normally, the local A-Class Lady Muriel challenges cruising boats in the New Years Regatta and a regular crew is supplemented by island tourists and cruising yachtsmen. Instead, on New Years Eve, a large group of spectator boats got to see not one, but three of the beautiful A-Class boats race each other in a Bahamian-style anchored start three-race regatta, and those who wanted to experience racing on an A-Class boat could enjoy hiking out on the pry. The keen competition between two Staniel Cay national champion boats, Tida Wave and Lady Muriel, was augmented by the Ragged Island competitor Courageous, which arrived on the mailboat. Tida Wave outperformed the other two in all events, but the “fun for all” was more important than the winner.

UPCOMING EVENTS

The annual Ragged Island Valentine’s Day Party will once again be held on Hog Cay, Ragged Islands. Maxine, from the grocery in Duncan Town, provides food for the event where cruisers join the locals and bring a dish to share.

The second annual Abaco Marine Flea Market will take place February 25^th at the Treasure Cay Primary School. The school’s athletic field will be transformed into a huge nautical ‘swap shop’ with all sorts of new and used nautical gear and equipment being sold at unbelievably low prices. This year’s vendors include Marsh Harbour Marina, Abaco Outboards, Island Boy Tackle, Marsh Harbour Boat Yards, Sea Horse Boat Rentals and Abaco Suzuki. Unlike a boat show, the Abaco Marine Flea Market offers an informal, almost party-like atmosphere where shoppers enjoy a wide variety of Bahamian food and drinks while they wander in search of a wind scoop or spare propeller. The Treasure Cay Marina will again offer special reduced dockage rates for those visiting the Abaco Marine Flea Market.

Visit abacomarinefleamarket.com for complete information about the event. Vendor Space Request Forms are available on the website, or contact Donnie Albury at 242-427-0412 or email your request to albehrendt@oii.net.

COMMUNICATIONS

A caution when purchasing prepaid phone cards for either data or voice: check the expiration date. These cards do have a shelf life and if you inadvertently get an expired one, you may not be able to get a refund.

NEW TRANSPORTATION

Sun Air International, a Fort Lauderdale-based regional airline, announced its new service to Cat Island; New Bight Airport, Eleuthera; Rock Sound Airport; and Andros Town Airport. Sun Air International has also been serving Chub Cay and Great Harbour Cay, along with on-demand charter flights throughout Florida and the Bahamas. Its new schedule also provides nonstop service to both Great Harbour and Chub Cay. All Sun Air flights will depart from the Commuter Terminal at Fort Lauderdale, located on the lower level of terminal four. For more information, go to gosunair.com or call for reservations at 877-226-2040.

Travelers from south Florida to the Bahamas now have a new choice of transportation. A high-speed ferry, the Pinar del Rio, will be making the 76-mile trip from Port Everglades to Freeport in two and a half hours. The Bahamas Express is a shipping company from Spain that operates the service. Designed for tourists and the resort industry, this service also has implications for the cruising community. It would certainly make it easy to get guests over to the Bahamas with less hassle and expense.

The ferry departs every day, except Wednesdays, at 10AM and arrives at Grand Bahama at 12:30PM. It departs the Bahamas at 7:30PM and arrives back at Port Everglades at 10PM. Besides the economy and first class accommodations, there is duty-free shopping and a bar/cafeteria onboard.

NEW RESTAURANT TO 

OPEN AT HIGHBOURNE

For those around the Highbourne Cay area in February, you will be in the perfect position to try out the beautiful new outdoor restaurant at Highbourne Cay Marina. The restaurant expects to be open around February 1^st and will be a welcome addition to the island and the surroundings for those who would like to go out for some good food and pleasant atmosphere.

CHANGES IN THESE LATITUDES:  BIMINI

A dredge is currently working in the entrance of the channel to Bimini Harbour. Depths should be over 3 meters (9-10 feet) in the area of previous shoaling shown on Chart BIM 3, page 54, Explorer Chartbook Near Bahamas, Sixth Edition. Vessels entering the harbour may try to contact the dredge on channel 13 or 16 until the project is completed. Upon occasion, the dredge pipe may block the channel. Proceed with caution in this area.

BERRYS

The Berry Islands Club is currently closed until further notice. There is a caretaker, Howard, who manages the moorings and collects the $20/night fee. No other services are available. A word of caution here is that a mooring recently failed in a blow and a sailboat was washed ashore. If you take a mooring at the Berry Islands Club, make sure to dive on it and check its security. The Club has apparently changed ownership, but it is not known when it will reopen.

EDITOR’S NOTE-

Reader Nick Wardle, of the Seven Seas Cruising Association (SSCA), Cruising Station Nassau, emailed the following clarification to last month’s Bahamas Update:

Your piece about clearing into the Bahamas under Bahamas Update for January needs correction and clarification.

When clearing in there are two formalities—Customs for the yacht, and Immigration for the occupants.

While you [were] correct in stating there are variations at different ports of entry, the yacht itself is granted a 12-month Temporary Cruising Permit (in spite of the form still saying “6-months”!). This Permit may be extended for a further two years on application and payment of a fee of $500 per extension year. Three years is the maximum before a yacht must leave the Bahamas. There is no requirement to clear outbound, as you said.

Immigration, however, can give a varying amount of time for the personnel aboard. The maximum time allowed altogether is and always has been eight months. If granted a shorter period initially, you can wait until the last week of the period to visit another port of entry, which can be tricky with weather considerations, or, if passing through Nassau, you can visit Immigration’s head office and apply there at any time for a suitable extension.

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

Better borders, better communications, better fueling. It’s all better in the Bahamas! 

Maritime borders defined

Bahamian and Cuban officials have at last finalized the maritime borders between them after nearly 40 years of negotiations. Since the Bahamas declared independence from the British Crown in 1973, the southern boundary with Cuba has not been clearly defined, although it was tentatively agreed upon at the United Nations Convention of the Laws of the Seas held in Jamaica in December of 1982.
On October 3rd, Bahamian Deputy Prime Minister Brent Symonette signed off on the newly drawn border using ‘Clarisoft’ software and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology with Cuban Ambassador to the Bahamas, José Luis Ponce Caraballo.
“This seemingly simply drawn line is the result of many years of dialogue, compromise and perseverance,” Symonette said. “Boundary delimitations, by their very nature, are complex and multifaceted.” The newly defined territories will allow each country to develop better security and marine management, officials said.
Bahamas Petroleum Company Plc. COO, Dr. Paul Gucwa, said the agreement removes a major obstacle in the way of their oil exploration efforts in the southern Bahamas. He said that if reasonable oil stores are found, drilling could start as early as December of next year.
“The Bahamas and Cuba will cooperate on navigational safety, marine scientific research, preservation and the protection of the marine environment and other areas of common interest,” said Cuban Ambassador Caraballo.

Free fueling

Island hopping cruisers will be inspired to journey on from one paradise to the next with the aid of up to $300 in fuel credit from 36 participating marinas. A four-night hotel stay combined with dockage fees at resorts stretching from Bimini in the north to Crooked Island and Acklins in the south, will earn vessel captains fuel credit from now until the end of June 2012. Bookings must be made by June 26th for travel before June 30, 2012 and does not include visits from December 22-31 or April 2-6, 2012.
Further incentives for traveling to the Bahamas by sea include winter storage specials offered by individual marinas throughout the winter months. For the full list of participating resorts and contact numbers, log on to: myoutislands.com/fuel-credit-offer.cfm.

Cruising calls

Cruisers will find it easier to keep in touch with friends and family online and by cell phone with improved services from the Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC). WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) boxes have been installed in Georgetown, Exuma, so wireless Internet connections will reach further and benefit cruisers as far north as Staniel Cay, said Naaman Ellis, BTC Senior  Manager for Exuma and the Cays.
Because technicians restored downed cables in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene, Naaman said the new technology will prevent communication blackouts caused by storms in the future.
“WiMAX will provide an important back-up service, keeping the lines of telecommunication open during disasters,” he said.
Cruisers can also take advantage of a new online EZ TopUp service for BTC pre-pay cell phones. By logging on to bahamaseztopup.com, boating enthusiasts can enter their phone numbers and register their accounts online to “top up” phone credit without having to leave the dock.
A text message will be sent out to notify users of their updated balance, or callers can dial *44 to receive a text message with their updated account details. Cable and Wireless Communications (CWC) acquired a 51 percent majority in the government-owned BTC earlier this year.

Revving up the glitz and glamour

Fast cars and Hollywood glamour will bring a whirlwind of glitz and allure to Nassau this month with the Bahamas International Film Festival (BIFF) and 2011 Bahamas Speed Week Revival revving up the start of the holiday season.
Now in its eighth year, BIFF has earned a reputation among filmmakers as a classy boutique festival featuring 60 films from all over the world and movie stars that have included the likes of Nicholas Cage, Sean Connery and Johnny Depp. Film lovers can purchase tickets for the non-profit organization’s black-tie events, meet the stars or just see the films shown between December 1-4. For more information, see BIFF’s Facebook page, or visit bintlfilmfest.com.
As for those who prefer to see action on the road, they can relive the glory of the original Nassau Speed Weeks of the ‘50s and ‘60s in the modern-day luxury of the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island. Racing enthusiasts from all over the world will ship in their sport and GT cars of the era to recreate the atmosphere of Speed Weeks held between 1954 and 1966, as well as classic road cars from 1954 to the present (and modern-day supercars) to race on the road.
Drivers will also be able to race their cars on public roads without fear of prosecution, as the local government is arranging for them to be temporarily registered while on the island. They are also having local prison inmates make the number plates—just as they did back in the ‘50s and ‘60s. bahamasspeedweekrevival.com

Crackdown on crime, services improved, marinas reopen with cruiser incentives. 

New airport under construction in Marsh Harbour, Abaco

The long-awaited redevelopment of Marsh Harbour International Airport is well underway after nearly 30 years of pushing for a better facility in the busy Abaco transit hub. As Prime Minister Hubert Ingraham signed the $27 million contract with FES Construction Company in September, he said the development would be complete in a little over a year. At 51,000 square feet, this terminal building will open with 22 counters, a modern luggage scanning system, 2 restaurants, 2 lounges, 8 shops, as well as long- and short-term parking areas. There will be a new air traffic control tower and fire/crash rescue facility.

“The Government is committed to ensuring that Central Abaco has the infrastructure befitting its stature,” the Prime Minister said as he noted the importance of Abaco as a significant economic center for the island nation.

Further development plans for the area include the building of a new hospital in Marsh Harbour and a road to connect the Central Abaco S.C. Bootle Highway and Forest Drive.

Abaco is in a good position for further growth as the economy picks up, said Minister of Works, Neko Grant, as he noted the island’s 21 percent population increase since 2000 as well as the growth of various industries.

“The airport terminal project will further enhance Marsh Harbour Airport’s capacity to provide quality service to the growing number of residents, as well as visitors to this island who will use this facility,” Neko said.

Marinas reopen with new incentives for cruisers

Resorts and marinas recovering from a beating by Hurricane Irene are reopening this month with new incentives to draw in winter cruisers. Wind and water damage at the Green Turtle Cay Club in North Abaco allowed for infrastructural upgrades during a two-month closure, and it has now reopened with enticing winter rates for its trademark free dockage special. Cruisers can tie up at a rate of $1.25 per foot per day until February 28, and levy the daily dockage fees against food and beverage purchases at the Green Turtle Club. The Bluff House nearby is offering cruisers a new long-term dockage rate starting at $349 per month. And in Elbow Cay, the Hope Town Inn and Marina has opened 4 two-bedroom/two-bathroom villas and 64 boat slips after purchasing Hope Town Hideaways Villas and Marina.

Winter cruisers to Bimini can dock at either of the Bimini Bay Resort’s two marinas for 30, 60, or 90 days and pay only when on board, with rates starting at $1 per foot per night with a 10-night minimum. Short-term cruisers pulling in for the weekend can take advantage of Bimini Bay’s two-for-one Dockage Happy Hour special which charges for just one of two nights, starting at $2 per foot per night.

Humanitarian relief mitigates hurricane impact

Donations have been pouring in to help in the wake of Hurricane Irene as individuals, corporations and the Bahamian government have stepped up to support humanitarian efforts. Kerzner International—owners of the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island—put $500,000 towards the National Emergency Management Agency’s relief efforts, and earned the praises of Deputy Prime Minister Brent Symonette.

“Kerzner is truly a friend of the Bahamas when the need arises, such as the damage we had as a result of Hurricane Irene or whether it is for the development of the Bahamas in general,” he stated.

The Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) donated $250,000 to support restoration efforts, and made $1.9 million in mobile phone credits available to BTC customers who were impacted by the storm.

Local fundraisers, such as operators of the Greenwood Beach Resort in Cat Island, raised more than $20,000 for materials to support isolated communities left without power, water or telephones after Irene. Prime Minister Ingraham also signed off on a $200,000 emergency relief grant from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to help provide food, clothing, potable water, medicines, shelters and other relief items to the most affected people in Eleuthera, Cat Island, Long Island, Rum Cay, Acklins, Crooked Island and Mayaguna.

Sailboats Slammed by Storm Surge in Hurricane Irene

Hurricane Irene strengthened from a Category 1 to a Category 3 storm as she powered through the Bahamas’ 700 islands, ripping boats from their moorings, soaking docks and properties with a 6-foot surge, and tearing down trees and electricity poles in her wake. Captain Dwayne Wallas of Marsh Harbour, Abaco, was one of several vessel owners whose boat broke free from its anchorage. Some of the boats were swept off into the Sea of Abaco while others slammed into rocks or crashed ashore. He found his 35.5-foot Hunter, the Balamena II, aground on the Marsh Harbour shoreline and said she broke loose just after the eye of the storm passed on August 25th.
“After the eye passed, the more serious winds hit,” Wallas said. “It seemed to strengthen right over Abaco. When there is a west wind, Marsh Harbour is not very protected and there were waves pounding into the harbor about five or six feet high.”
A Haitian boat anchored in the harbor rammed the docks at the Marsh Harbour Marina and Jib Room on Pelican Shores, snapping several pilings as well as damaging the bows of two boats tied there.
In Exuma, several luxury yachts were severely damaged as they broke away from moorings in the hurricane hole near the popular Chat’N’Chill hangout on Stocking Island, across from Georgetown. Exuma fishermen were said to be some of the hardest hit by the storm as many boats in Georgetown were completely destroyed, and the impact on the local fishing industry was thought to be significant. The dock at the Peace and Plenty was destroyed and there was further damage to schools, as well as power lines, cable and telecommunications. Initial estimates of the overall cost of the damage on Great Exuma Island was around $400,000.

Bimini Spared From the Wrath of Hurricane Irene

The tiny island of Bimini, the most western of the 700 islands that comprise the Bahamas archipelago and only 50 miles from the southeast coast of Florida, was spared from the devastating Category 3 force winds of Hurricane Irene, which skirted much farther east of the island. Michael Weber, who was just named as the new General Manager of the historic Bimini Big Game Club in Alice Town, reported no damage at the 51-room resort. Weber said all resort services including food and beverage, dive operations and the marina would be operating as normal by August 26th.
“We were very, very lucky to be on the outer fringes of this storm,” he said. “Our prayers and thoughts are with the greater Bahamas community that took the brunt of Irene today.” Weber described the effects on Bimini as minimal, with all utilities and other island services unaffected by the passing storm.
“We, as well as other hoteliers and businesses on Bimini, intend to be open for business this weekend,” he added. And they were. biggameclubbimini.com

Marinas Bounce Back from Hurricane Beating

Those boats properly secured in marinas slammed by the storm escaped with little damage and even the worst-hit resorts said that damage would be repaired or improved before the busy winter season.
The Green Turtle Cay Club Resort and Marina in Abaco was flooded when the sea surged and slammed over the docks, soaking the electrical pedestals and flooding the resort restaurant, shop, offices, laundry facilities and gasoline pumps. But all was not lost for the GTC Club. Molly McIntosh, Sales Manager at the GTCCRM, said she expects all repairs and renovations will be completed by October 21st.
“We’re going to be back and better than ever,” McIntosh said. “Everything will be as good, if not better than before.” She said the Club will re-open with the free dockage special, allowing cruisers to put their daily dockage fees towards food and beverage purchases at the club.
There was some flooding in Windward Beach, Treasure Cay, just across the water from Green Turtle Cay, but the Treasure Cay Hotel Resort and Marina is protected from surge by the sea wall, according to General Manager Patrick Fetch.
“During the eye of the storm it was very spooky,” Mr. Fetch related. “No sooner than an hour and a half it went from 120mph winds to calm and then back to 120. But it blew all night and switched gears.” Around 30 boats in the resort marina escaped with minor bangs and scrapes. The resort was shuttered up well before the storm hit and 28 guests were evacuated, Mr. Fetch said. Damage to the resort buildings was limited to water incursion and broken windows in 4 of the 96 hotel rooms.
The Abaco Beach Resort in Marsh Harbour reported no serious damage at the property, except to landscaping.

Chinese Pledge to Accelerate Development in Freeport Harbour

Chinese officials pledged to assist development in Grand Bahama on an official visit to the Freeport Harbour with the Grand Bahama Port Authority (GBPA). The People’s Republic of China’s Ambassador to the Bahamas, Hu Shan, said he was impressed by the development of one of the deepest harbors in the region and one of the largest man-made harbors in the world, excavated from limestone rock below pine forests on the island. As he was guided through operations at the container port, Grand Bahama Shipyard and Bahama Rock, Ambassador Hu heard of plans for future expansion and extension of docking berths, and said he would try to accelerate development with some Chinese investment.
“I wish that the Port Authority and Hutchison Whampoa Corporation would grow stronger,” he stated. “I wish for a more harmonious life and well-being for the local 60,000 residents and that Grand Bahama Island will develop faster and better.”
GBPA President Ian Rolle said they look forward to strengthening the island’s long-standing relationship with China and creating synergies for future development.

Government Cash Injection for Eleuthera’s Public Docks

The Bahamas government has invested $400,000 to renovate the public docks in Eleuthera. A $170,000 contract went to Austin Knowles Construction Company for the demolition and rebuilding of the dock in Hatchett Bay, which now features an access ramp and gazebo. The wood and concrete docks in Current Island have been rebuilt by Complete Marine Services with a $214,959 government contract. Public Works and Transport Minister Neko Grant visited the docks last month. When on Current Island, Neko said he hopes the reconstruction and repair of the docks will facilitate the development of its industry on the island. This is where communities largely depend on traditional means of making a living, by doing such things as fishing and straw weaving.

Nassau Harbour clean-up

Dilapidated boats that are cluttering up the restricted area around Potter’s Cay dock in Nassau Harbour have been removed by authorities following warnings issued by Port Controller Commander Patrick McNeil. Boats not claimed by their owners and deemed salvageable were taken to the Royal Bahamas Defense Force harbour base where they can be picked up by their owners, while nine derelict boats considered to be in particularly bad condition were moved to an anchorage on the south side of Athol Island, northeast of New Providence. Tour cruise and dive tour operators who lead cruises past Athol Island and dive on the reef near the sheltered anchorage rejected the move as simply the relocation of an eye-sore from one tourist area to another.

Bahama Divers Dive Manager, Tony Lowe, said he frequently runs tours to the area when strong winds blow out of the northeast. “I agree with cleaning up the harbour,” Mr. Lowe said. “But we don’t want to move it from one place to somewhere else that is populated and being used.”

Commander McNeil said the relocation is only temporary and that the work to improve the appearance and marine environment in Nassau Harbour has been welcomed.

Development goes ahead in
Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park

The barge landing is being renovated on the western side of Big Bell Island

A private marina is being excavated on Big Bell Island in the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park as the owner presses on with controversial development plans. Islands of Discovery Ltd., Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, is dredging an 80-foot-wide access channel leading into a planned 4.5-acre yacht basin being excavated from an existing salt pond which will accommodate boats up to 164 feet on the southeast side of the 349-acre island. The development plans outraged conservationists who protested development in the pristine marine park. Established in 1958, it was subsequently made a strictly no-take zone back in 1986.

However, owners of private islands (which comprise around one third of all land in the176 square mile park) are entitled to develop their property for private use, with planning permission from government. Park stewards from the Bahamas National Trust were consulted on plans and the development was scaled back with the elimination of a second channel leading into the existing barge landing area on the western side of the island. An Environmental Management Plan approved by the government and the Bahamas National Trust is being enforced by an environmental compliance officer who has been monitoring the development since work began in June.

Dengue in New Providence

The Bahamas Ministry of the Environment has issued a new alert after discovering new cases of Dengue Fever in New Providence, and possibly on several other islands. Dengue is a febrile (fever) disease transmitted by the Aedes aegypti mosquito. The Ministry urges all residents to check any unwanted water-holding containers and properly discard of potentially infected standing water. The mosquito can hatch in containers such as buckets, tires, tubs, flower pot plates, air condition trays, drainage systems, etc. Thus far there are no reports of cases impacting visitors.

Stolen boat recovery boost

A rash of boat thefts have sparked calls for greater penalties for thieves from Marina Operators of the Bahamas (MOB).

“When you look at the value of the vessels versus the fines, we need more [severe penalties],” said MOB consultant Jeffrey Beckles, who is working on developing a master plan for the Bahamas’ marine tourism industry.

“When you weigh the reputational damage against the punitive action it’s a huge disparity. Tourism is impacted, the insurance sector is impacted, every sector is impacted.”

Just under 50 boats were reported stolen to the Marine Support Services Branch of the Royal Bahamas Police Force in the first six months of 2011, of which 30 have been recovered.

Assistant Superintendent Clarence Finlayson, the officer in charge of the marine branch and a MOB member, puts the improved recovery rate down to good communication between boat owners and the police. But he agreed the penalties are still not enough to deter thieves. The men found guilty of stealing a $350,000 30-foot Grady-White with twin 250-hp engines were fined just $1,000 in court.

Recommendations to amend the law have been inspired by legislation enforced in New South Wales, Australia and are being circulated among MOB members.

New manager for
Big Game resort

The Bimini Big Game Club has welcomed a new General Manager to take charge of operations at the Guy Harvey Outpost Resort. Michael Weber, an award-winning hotel manager credited with implementing the first European Marketing Plan for the Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau, moves to the historic 51-room property in Alice Town, Bimini from Freeport, Grand Bahama where he managed the Our Lucaya Beach and Golf Resort. Weber replaces Bahamian manager Christopher Pollock, who will remain on at Big Game as an advisor.

Eric Jarvis, President of SBC Operations, Ltd., said Weber is a perfect match for the resort. “Mike’s long history of successful hotel and resort management in South Florida and the Bahamas is also a perfect match for the mission of Guy Harvey Outposts and ourselves in providing sport fishermen, cruisers and divers—as well as families—with a top-of-class experience in both traditional hospitality services and a variety of outfitter pursuits.”

Shark fishing banned in the Bahamas

On July 6th, Bahamas Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources Lawrence Cartwright announced it would prohibit commercial shark fishing in its more than 240,000 square miles of waters. The shark fishing ban reportedly was precipitated by the news that a Bahamian seafood company was considering exporting sharks to the Far East for sharkfin soup. This sparked protests from noted marine environmentalists, including artist Guy Harvey, and a petition in favor of the ban was signed by more 5,000 Bahamas residents.

Seaplanes return to Bimini

Last month, Biminites and tourists watched a seaplane make a water landing in Bimini’s main channel to deliver passengers to the island’s resorts for the first time in many years. South Florida-based Tropic Ocean Airways, which incorporated in 2009, began offering charter seaplane flights between Miami and the Florida Keys in March, then added Bimini as a charter destination in June.
“Seaplanes have been an integral part of the history of South Florida,” said Tropic Ocean Airways President Rob Ceravolo. “We’re really excited to be bringing them back.”
The splashdown landing at the end of the flight to Bimini was reminiscent of a trip on Chalk’s Ocean Airways, which ran scheduled flights to Bimini until 2007—and in fact, Tropic Ocean Airways is offering flights originating at Chalk’s old seaplane base in Miami. But that is where the resemblance ends. The new company operates on a charter basis rather than offering scheduled flights. Ceravolo, a former Navy F-14 pilot and his fellow pilot, Nick Veltre, fly an FAA-approved, late-model four-passenger seaplane, and have plans to add a 9-seat seaplane later in the year.
Both pilots are friendly and passengers find the experience of flying to Bimini by seaplane to be part of the vacation experience rather than a means to an end. Tropic Ocean Airways also offers charter flights between Miami, Key West, and resorts in between. flytropic.com.

Making marine tourism a priority

A master plan for marine tourism is being developed by Marina Operators of the Bahamas (MOB) with $40,000 in funding from the European Union’s Centre for Development and Enterprise (CDE).
Marine tourism generates an estimated $46.3 million for the Bahamian economy every year, creating an economic impact second only to spending by hotel guests. Now, a nine-month project to identify the development needs and potential for growth in the marine sector is being led by consultant Jeffrey Beckles, vice-president of the Bahamas Hotel Association. He spoke out about the plans at MOB’s annual meeting and strategic development and positioning workshop held in the Sheraton Nassau Beach Resort on June 29.
“When you look at the total economic impact, there are tremendous opportunities in the Bahamas from growing this sector,” he said. “It’s an underdeveloped sector. Economically, it has the potential to sustain us even longer than land-based tourism.”  Mariners make up 2.5 percent of all stopovers to the Bahamas, which is twice as many as those who visit the islands to gamble. People who visited the Bahamas by boat are estimated to have spent an average of $150 per person per night in 2009, according to statistics gathered by the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism.
Bahamas Minister of Environment,  Earl Deveaux, suggested establishing a partnership between the government and MOB to create a network of marinas throughout the islands. David Johnson, Director General of Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, said marine tourism expansion has his full support. “It is time we really treat this sector as having the sort of business potential it has, and begin to develop a very clear cut plan to drive it,” Johnson said.

Safe boating campaign in Abaco

Abaco schoolchildren were treated to free life jackets and a lesson in safe boating on a visit from U.S. Ambassador to the Bahamas, Nicole Avant, promoting the U.S. Coast Guard’s Youth Safe Boating Campaign.
Ambassador Avant joined Lieutenant Commander Brian Betz (above, right), from the U.S. Coast Guard to talk to a group of about 50 primary school students at the Agape Christian School in Marsh Harbour and Hope Town Primary School in Elbow Cay. Boat safety demonstrations were presented by the Bahamas Air Sea Rescue Association (BASRA), the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) and student trainers from the RBDF Rangers Program. Afterwards, Ambassador Avant encouraged the children to make sound decisions when they are on the water and not to be afraid to speak up if they think practices on a boat may not be safe.
“You are all so blessed to live in Abaco, where you have access to a rich marine environment that most people in the world only dream about,” she said. “But with this gift comes one important responsibility – always think of safety first when you are on the water.”
The presenters emphasized the importance of wearing a life jacket at all times while on the water, regardless of swimming ability, and each student received their own life jacket, courtesy of the US Northern Command (USNORTHCOM).

Derelict boats booted out of Nassau Harbour

Nassau Harbour is being cleared out and cleaned up in a public/private initiative led by the National Coastal Awareness Committee and a team of volunteers.
Port Controller Commander Patrick McNeil warned owners of the sunken, anchored and seemingly abandoned boats in the restricted area of Nassau Harbour around Potter’s Cay Dock to remove their vessels without delay. Only boats with permission from the port controller are allowed to anchor in the area below the Paradise Island bridges, from Malcolm Park and the Bahamas Air Sea Rescue Association (BASRA) on the west side, to Nassau Yacht Haven in the East.
Commander McNeil said owners who do not obey the new restrictions will have their boats removed and be charged for the cost. “We want to return the Port of Nassau to its natural beauty. It’s going to take a bit of time, but we are going to be very persistent and focused towards that end.” He worked with the National Coastal Awareness Committee (NCAC) and a team of volunteers to remove 18 sunken vessels from the harbor in June, and also dredged up some of the refrigerators, toilets, batteries and other garbage dumped there.
The harbor cleanup falls in line with the development of the waterfront area, as the Federation International Football Association (FIFA) is sponsoring the development of a waterfront football pitch in Malcolm Park.