Explorer Charts

GROUPER SEASON OPENS

Nassau, Bahamas - The Department of Marine Resources wishes to advise the general public as to the opening of the Nassau Grouper (Epinephelus Striatus) season from March 1st, 2010 whereby fishers are permitted to harvest Nassau Grouper of weights greater than three (3) pounds.

Fishers are reminded to adhere to all fisheries laws in order to ensure the sustainability of all the marine resources of The Bahamas.

The Department of Marine Resources reminds fishers that persons found in violation of Bahamian fisheries laws will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. (Posted 3/1/10)

ELIZABETH HARBOUR PUMPOUT/MOORINGS

More information about the GEF-IWCAM project in Exuma can be found at the following website:
http://www.iwcam.org

The Local Elizabeth Harbour Management Steering Committee is working in coordination with the BEST Commission in Nassau to implement this project. We have met with members of the boating community and have completed a survey of the boating community to ensure people are able to express their opinion about the installation of moorings in the harbour and a pumpout system. In the near future, we will be holding a forum with members of the boating community to provide them with more information about how the project will be implemented. The following should be noted to avoid any confusion:

It is very likely that mooring use will not be required in the harbour except for in ecologically sensitive areas.

A pumpout system including a boat and proper waste treatment facility will be operational in Elizabeth Harbour. It is intended that the treatment system used for boat waste will also be used to handle some island waste.

This project is funded by the United Nations Global Environment Facility Program. It is not funded nor was it proposed by the Island Administrator or any foreign resident in the area.

Not all of the information found at http://www.iwcam.org about the Exuma project is current.

More information will be forthcoming as the project develops. Thank you. (Posted 2/14/10)

Bimini Buoys Jan. 2010

The buoys at the entrance to the channel to Bimini Harbour are missing, except for one green buoy. The buoys have been on and off station since being placed at the entrance of the dredged channel into Bimini Harbour in 2006. The channel remains in good condition.

Emerald Bay Port of Entry

The Marina at Emerald Bay is an official Customs Port of Entry. It is convenient for both Customs and Immigration officers to come from nearby George Town International Airport and clear all boats at the marina.

Douglas K. Black
Marina General Manager

The Marina at Emerald Bay
(Posted 12/9/09)

Lower Chub Point Light extinquished

Fl WR 10s 13m 7M light on Lower Chub Point, Chub Cay near 25° 24.4 N/77° 54.6 W, (Charts BER 7 & 8, AN 1, and 6, Near Bahamas Chartbook, Fifth Edition, Pages 17, 61, 62, and 63) was found to be extinquished on November 29, 2009. The flashing red and green lights on the Chub Cay Club channel markers are working at this time. (Posted 12/1/09)

Garmin launches next generation multi-function displays with Garmin G Motion technology

Announcing New Bahamas Chatter Cruisers' Blog

The Explorer Chartbook team is launching a new blog as a site for the most up-to-date information on the Bahamas for cruising yachtsmen. We will publish breaking news, corrections, and changes as soon as we find them. We also invite you to post information that you think other cruisers would want to know. In addition, you will be able to comment on other postings.

Go to our Home Page Menu and click on Bahamas Chatter. You have two choices:

1) You can become a Contributor by registering with a User Name and Password or

2) You can become a Subscriber by supplying an email address. This allows you to comment on other postings but not to contribute.

Go to our Explorer Chartbook Home Page Menu and click on Bahamas Chatter Home Page will direct you to make your choice. Our Bahamas-Explorer Yahoo Group will be replaced by the new Bahamas Chatter. If you are a member of Yahoo Group, you will no longer be able to post and receive comments by email. We encourage you to sign up for the Bahamas Chatter so that you can keep abreast of changes in the Bahamas and also let us know what you are finding as you cruise those beautiful islands. We look forward to your postings!

Phone Number Correction

The Customs number for Green Turtle Cay is incorrect in the Explorer Chartbook Near Bahamas. The correct number is 242-365-4077, not 366-4077. Please make the change in your chartbook under Customs and on the Green Turtle Cay page. (Posted 11/14/09)

Emerald Bay Marina Nov. 09

Emerald Bay Marina on Great Exuma is open once again as of November 2009, under the new ownership of Sandals Resorts.

Ragged Island Facility & Acklins Road Repair

A dock facility and Defence Force base will be built on Ragged Island. The base will greatly assist in the efforts to police the waters of the Bahamas, making it easier for the force to deal with poachers, drug traffickers, and gun smugglers. The government will also pave the roads and resurface the airport on that island. Work will also be done on the roads on Acklins for the first time since Prime Minister Ingraham was last in office. (Posted Nov. 09)

Boat Thefts 9/26/09

The Nassau Tribune's recent article "Boat Thefts are Big Business" reports that there is heightened activity of stealing boats, both in the Abacos and Nassau. Mostly involved are go-fast powerboats for use in human and drug trafficking from the Bahamas to Florida.

Ban on Sea Turtles 9/4/09

Despite opposition from many fishermen, the Bahamas has amended fisheries laws to give full protection to all sea turtles in Bahamian waters. The new rules are now in effect banning the harvest, possession,purchase and sale of the endangered reptiles, including their eggs.

Flight Services

AirTran plans to begin flying to Nassau, pending approval, in 2010, from BWI, Atlanta, and Orlando.

Bahamas Reciprocal Amateur Radio License

The Bahamas Public Utilities Commission has become the Utilities Regulation and Competition Authority, regulating electronic communications for the Bahamas. There is now a new form to fill out for your reciprocal license. You can download it from the website at www.urcabahamas.bs. The new form is quite comprehensive and only Parts A, B, and E section 5 apply to reciprocal licenses.

Customs Fees August 2009

The procedure for vessels clearing Customs & Immigration entering the Bahamas as of August 20, 2004, is still as follows: A pleasure vessel arriving in the Bahamas shall be subject to a fee of $150 for boats under 35 ft and $300 for boats over 35 ft. Each additional person over four persons will be charged $15. No charge for children under six years old. This covers the cost of an initial-entry cruising permit, plus a return visit within ninety (90) days; a vessel would be exempted from additional fees within that 90-day period, except for possible transportation fees for Customs and Immigrations officials IF they have to come to your boat to clear you in (for instance, in Nassau).

Bahamas Customs Duty Update 6/16/2009

We spoke with the Bahamas Chief Customs Officer, Ralph Munroe, who reports that the previous duty on boat repair parts has been removed in a recent amendment to the Tariff Act. For boaters with a valid Temporary Cruising Permit, boat replacement parts are now DUTY FREE, as are printed matter and original artwork (once again). There will be a processing fee for clearing these items. Local Customs Officers have been notified of this and should NOT CHARGE DUTY on these items. If there is any discrepancy in this, call Customs in Nassau at 242-302-3509 and ask for Mr. Munroe.