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