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). 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. |
Abacos Update 6/2009Bakers Bay Marina Restaurant now open. |
Cat Island Update 6/2009 |
Residents on the south end of Cat Island are encouraging boaters to try a new anchorage at Port Howe. Also known as Reef Harbour, this anchorage is entered by a gap in the reef at 24* 08.773'N/75* 21.347' W. Good light is needed for safe entry. Once inside the reef, you can turn right and go as far as you are happy with the depth. The spacious anchorage is well protected by land to the north and by the wide shallow reef to the south. No swell makes it over the reef. This anchoring spot provides an alternative to Old Bight with good protection from clocking winds when winter fronts pass through. One mile to the east is lovely day anchorage at Winding Bay also with good holding and easy entrance although less protected by reef. NOTE OF CAUTION: This information has not been verified by the Explorer team, but it seems plausible given the chart data. Posted January 26, 2009 |
Exumas Update 6/2009 |
Bridge to Crab Cay is expected to be completed by August. Eddie's Edgewater in George Town is closed. Peace & Plenty is for sale and the Beach Club has been leased out. Four Seasons Hotel is closed with 400 Exumians losing jobs and many going to Grand Bahama for employment. George Town has a new full-time doctor and still a dentist only once a week. The 2008-09 cruising season brought the highest number of boats in four years to Elizabeth Harbour--380. One out of ten were powerboats. There is now a rental car service at Barre Terre for $70/day. The Marina at Emerald Bay is now closed. The entrance is blocked by a cable and buoys. DO NOT attempt to enter. Posted June 2, 2009 |
Amendment to the Sportfishing Regulations Bahamas Information Services 11/18/2008 |
The Department of Marine Resources has made changes to the Regulations governing sports fishing as of October 19, 2007. (changes since Jan. 1. 2007 in red) Sport Fishing and Tournament Rules and Regulations for The Islands Of The Bahamas : In addition, there is a ban on Nassau grouper from Dec. 1, 2008 to March 1, 2009. For more information, contact: Posted December 18, 2008 |
Explorer Update from SARANADE6/09 The buoys marking the dredged channel into Bimini are missing. Lionfish have invaded Bahamian waters and are a hazard to humans as well as to marine life. Their poisonous spines cause redness and swelling around the wound as well as headaches and seizures. They are reportedly diminishing the grouper and lobster population. 2/7/08 South Bimini—Bimini Sands Marina and Resort offers a guided nature tour with a walking path showing local flora and fauna with an iguana and boa constrictor. There are also kayaking tours and shark feedings. It is an easy stop to clear Customs as well before proceeding across the Bank. North Bimini—Brown’s Marina (the first one on the left) is now open with dockage. Also the newly rebuilt straw market is in full operation. Chub Cay—The Chub Cay Marina and Resort is in full operation, contrary to rumors of its closing. Overnight dockage is currently $4.75/ft. with a “guest services” fee of $100 for tying up to clear Customs (waived if vessel docks overnight at marina), go to the Ship’s Store (purchases applied to fee) or use any of the facilities. Frazer-Hog Cay—The Berry Islands Club is once again fully operational, offering a full-service marina with electricity, R/O water, restaurant, wireless internet and fuel. Gas and diesel are available at competitive prices.
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9/2007 New International Travel Check-in Procedures as Mandated by Department of Homeland Security and TSA |
Traveling Outside the United States: Posted: September, 2007 |
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1/2006 Department of State to Introduce Passport Card |
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To meet the documentary requirements of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), the Department of State, in consultation with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has announced and submitted for public comment a federal rule proposing the development of a card-format passport for international travel by U.S. citizens through land and sea ports of entry between the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. The limited-use passport card will be adjudicated to the same standards as a traditional passport book. The rule published today proposes a wallet-sized card that would cost $10 for children and $20 for adults, plus a $25 execution fee. To facilitate the frequent travel of those living in U.S. border communities and those traveling on commercial maritime vessels, the Department of State has committed to producing a passport card that incorporates cutting-edge technology. The technology incorporated in the proposed card was designed in coordination with DHS specifically to address the operational needs of land border-crossings. The proposed passport card would use long-range, or vicinity, radio frequency identification (RFID) technology to link the card to a secure U.S. government database containing biographical data and a photograph. The card itself will not contain any personal information, and DHS will implement protections to keep the database secure. The passport card is the core element of the PASS (People Access Security Service) System announced by Secretaries Rice and Chertoff in January 2006, and will secure and expedite travel to and from the United States. The proposed rule is available for public viewing and comment at www.regulations.gov. For more information, visit www.dhs.gov or www.travel.state.gov. Posted: October 17, 2006 |
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Health Information for Bahamas Travelers |
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For information about health recommendations for travel to the Caribbean, see the CDC's Travelers' Health website (www.cdc.gov/travel) For information about malaria, visit the CDC Malaria homepage. Notice Malaria, Great Exuma, Bahamas CDC Travelers' Health
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For Updated Customs Information go to: |
NOAA Data Buoys off Lee Stocking Island |
| A series of buoys in the Coral Reef Early Warning System are now in place in the Bahamas. These devices will measure environmental characteristics, such as air temperature, wind speed and direction, and ultraviolet radiation and send these measurements, via satellite, to a receiving station at NOAA's Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory in Miami. Each of these measurements will be monitored by specialized computer programs that signal scientists when conditions are conducive to coral bleaching – a serious state resulting in reef-building corals expelling the algae that give them their color. Bleaching can lead to mass coral mortality. Click here for more info from NOAA's website. |
3/2004 MUSHA CAY ANCHORING UPDATE |
| March 2004--Officials have met with cruisers in George Town to respond to incidents and rumors of boats being told to leave the Musha Cay anchorage and others, citing private property or swimming area. The official policy is still that boats can anchor in all Bahamian waters, that they cannot be run away by nearby property owners. Land is private up to the high water mark, but water cannot be declared private. boaters are urged to report any violation to local administrative authorities. |
ATTENTION BIGHT OF ABACO CRUISERS |
Cruisers Mailbox Established"Duffy's Rock" first appeared in Scuttlebutt, Summer 2002, which is the news letter of the Waterway Radio and Cruising Club serving amateur radio operators afloat since 1963. Several years ago while bumping around in the BIGHT of ABACO I came upon an uncharted small cay (rock) and gave the GPS Waypoint for it to Monty and Sara Lewis of the Explorer Chartbooks. They confirmed that it was uncharted also. Well, about two months later they sent me one of their new Chartbooks, THE NEAR BAHAMAS the newest addition of their EXPLORER CHARTSBOOKS. While going over it right there on a chart in the North part of the Bight of Abaco was a marked small cay named "DUFFY'S ROCK" Hard to believe but I now had an island named after me. I went back to it every year after and checked it out. Over the years I have shared info about the BIGHT with other cruisers. Well, this last winter I shared the story about Duffy's Rock with Don and Connie DeSplinter off "AFTER FIVE" their Schucker 40. It is a pretty big boat and think it draws a little over 3 1/2 feet. They went into the bight using a new deep water pass into the north end of the bight. They went to Duffy's Rock and built a CAIRN out of some rock and left me a short message in a wine bottle then continued on south via The Spence Rock passage all the way through the Bight to Sandy Point having a wonderful adventure along the way.Later on last winter I gave some important waypoints for Bob Cooley on how to get out of the Bight to avoid a large strong front that was coming. He made it from Basin Harbour to Crown Haven via the Patton Cays, an unpublished route that I had scoped out a couple of years before. He made it just in time before the front hit in full force. He was towing his dinghy and was surfing the last bit while still in deep water and lost his oars from the dinghy it had gotten so rough. He was really happy to get anchored off Crown Haven. In a couple of days he also went to Duffy's Rock and added some more rocks to the Cairn. Fun stuff. About a month later on 15 March 2002 I took my 25' Albin "THUMPER" into the Bight via the N.W. Passage and went to Duffy's Rock and added a couple of rocks to the Cairn but mainly left a Rubbermaid container under the Cairn containing my name and Call Sign, a signed US $20.00 bill, a double shot of Mango Rum, a Pepsi and a couple of large lead egg fishing sinkers. Didn't think about leaving a log book for other visitors to sign in. So....... A couple of months later while I was now back on Hilton Head, my home, I got a radio call from Bob Monroe and Caroline off the Ketch "Caroline" and he needed some info about the Bight so I Faxed him some waypoints and a couple of charts via Earl Russell at GreenTurtle Cay. He took the info and went to Fox Town but didn't take the main boat into the Bight but did go to Duffy's Rock through the HAULOVER CROSSING the narrow and shallow cut blasted through skinny part of Little Abaco for local fishermen to use just a little N.W. of Foxtown in his fast dinghy. I asked him if he would take a larger Rubbermaid container, a LOG BOOK and some more small rocks to build up the CAIRN some more. I received a radio call from him one morning saying "MISSION ACCOMPLISHED" So with the log book there a CRUISERS MAILBOX had been officially established. I encourage anyone drawing up to 5 1/2 feet to visit the Bight and go to Duffy's Rock and please sign the Log Book. Even leave letters to be mailed by other visitors. Anyone seeking more information about anything to do with The Bight Of Abaci please contact me, Duffy at 1-843-689-5178 or WP2V1@hargray.com Enjoy, |
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