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© Stephen J. Pavlidis 2010

 

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NEWSFLASH

And now for the News...

 

Security for Cruisers in Dominica

 

Missing Bimini Buoys?

The buoys marking the entrance channel into Bimini Harbour are missing.  All that remains is a lone green buoy.  The buoys have been off station since their installation in 2006.  The entrance channel remains in good condition.

 

Pumpouts in Elizabeth Harbour?

The BEST Commission in Nassau, NP, Bahamas, is working in coordination with the Elizabeth Harbour Management Steering Committee to implement a dual project in Elizabeth Harbour, George Town, Great Exuma.

The first part of the project is the creation of a pumpout system which includes a mobile pumpout vessel as well as a waste treatment facility which may soon be operational in Elizabeth Harbour. 

A secondary project, a proposed mooring system in ecologically sensitive areas, is still open for discussion between members of the local boating community and local residents and business owners.

The implementation of the project is still up in the air at this time.

More information (some of which is dated) can be found at http://www.iwcam.org/

Defence Force Base on Ragged Islands

A new dock and Defence Force base is set to be built on Ragged Island making it easier for the Defence Force to deal with poachers, drug traffickers, and weapons smugglers.

New Marina Opens on Grand Cayman

There is a new full-service marina located in North Sound on the island of Grand Cayman.  The Barcadere Marina Community is located at Scott's Landing, and although construction is on-going, most of the docks are in and there is good 30/30/100 amp power with water and the island's only pump-out available.

The marina offers a buoyed entrance channel, duty-free fuel upon clearing out, free internet, and a nightly security guard.  Coming soon is a restaurant and pool, and Scott's Marine (chandlery, service center, and a boatyard with a 100-ton lift).  Drafts of 8' and boats to 150' in length can access this marina.  Barcadere can even provide pilot service upon entry.

Easy Customs and Immigration check-in allows cruisers to avoid the bustling, busy harbor at George Town.

For more information visit the Barcadere website at www.barcadere.com or send an email to enquiries@barcadere.com.  The marina can be reached by phone at 345-949-3743.

 

 

Emerald Bay Marina Reopens

 

Emerald Bay Marina on the island of Great Exuma reopened in November of 2009 under new ownership of Sandals Resorts.  Prices range from $.50 per foot for a simple tie-up, to $2.25 per foot for full hookups.  More good news: Emerald Bay Marina is now an official Bahamas Port of Entry making clearance easier for mariners.

 

Boat Parts now Duty Free in The Bahamas

 

The Government of The Bahamas has recently passed an amendment to the Tariff Act which states that cruisers with a valid Bahamas Cruising Permit are now allowed to import boat repair and/or replacement parts Duty Free!!!  The amendment also reinstates the original exemption for printed matter and original artwork.  All Bahamian Customs Officers have been informed of this change, but if you should happen to come across an official who insists on charging duty on these items, you can call Bahamas Entry Checking in Nassau, 242-302-3509, for assistance.

 

New Clearance Regs in the BVI due to

High Swine Flu Alert


     Thursday, April 30 (2009) – New customs clearance procedures will be implemented from this Friday, in Government’s ongoing quest to strengthen its effort to mitigate the impact of the dreaded Swine Flu (H1N1) virus on the Territory.
     After consultations by the Ministry of Health and Social Development and the local Pandemic Influenza Taskforce, Her Majesty’s Customs has issued an advisory to the boating community.
     The advisory states that all customs clearance procedures will only be processed through three designated ports of entry until further notice. They are the Road Town and West End Ferry Terminals in Tortola and the Spanish Town Ferry Dock in Virgin Gorda.
     Cruisers wishing to dock on Jost Van Dyke, Anegada, or any other sister island are advised that they must clear customs at one of the designated locations. Comptroller of Her Majesty’s Customs Mr. Wade Smith said those precautionary measure will be in force until further notice.
     Visitors who fail to comply with the new procedures may be charged with illegal entry into the Territory.
     Meanwhile, cargo vessels docking in the Territory will continue to be processed at Port Purcell. However there will be additional screening and inspections by officers of the Environmental Health Department and the Department of Agriculture.
     The decision to implement new procedures for clearing customs followed the World Health Organization’s announcement that the global influenza pandemic alert has been increased from Phase 4 to the more serious Phase 5. Chief Medical Officer Dr. Irad Potter is also encouraging residents of the Territory to restrict unnecessary travel as much as they can amid the increased level of alert for a Swine Flu pandemic.

 

Armed Naval Police 24-hour Patrol on Rio Dulce

Jan. 24, 2009

This is a bit late, but better late than never.  In November, there is an armed Naval Police patrol operating in the waters between Mario's Marina and San Felipe on the Rio Dulce 24-hours a day, 7 days a week.  The patrol is funded by donations and consists of 6 Naval Policemen, an Officer, and a Boatswain Petty Officer.  Their boat CG 275, is a 27' Boston Whaler with twin 225 hp engines.  The Coast Guard monitors VHF ch. 16 24/7 and responds to Guarda Coasta Rio Dulce.

 

French Harbour Yacht Club on Roatán Closed?

July 10, 2008

    I've had several reports that this marina is now closed.  Since the death of the former owner, the managers have allowed the marina and its amenities to deteriorate.  I would suggest emailing the marina or hailing them on the VHF before arriving at their docks.

 

Cleaning up the Explosives on Vieques

May 18, 2008

     This just in from Gil Anspacher aboard the S/V Kauhalekai:  The Eastern 1/3 of the island (Vieques in the Spanish Virgin Islands) is now going through a massive clean up from the bombing days. It is going to take a long time (10 years?). Most of the underwater issues have been removed. Now they are working on ground level unexploded ordinance. Then comes below the ground surface unexploded ordinance. The current process is search and mark with gps and then on Friday morning they blow up what they have found through the week. Thus, East End anchorages are open 3 PM Fri to 6 AM Monday. We were in Bahaia Icacos (gorgeous) over a normal weekend and the Puerto Ricans from San Juan/Fajardo were there for a weekend long party. About 30 big sportfishers lined the beach with sterns 10 feet off the beach. There was plenty of room to anchor in the bay. On Monday at 7 AM, we were hailed on VHF and hand held hailer by security. The guy was nice and let us know it was time to leave as they were starting to sniff bombs in the vegetation just beyond the beach. And, since the Easern 1/3 is all closed during the week, we had to head a ways West. The main areas for boaters that are closed during the week are Bahia Salinas del Sur and Bahai Iccacos (Bahia Salinas del Norte).  In Esperanza, the moorings are getting old and should not be trusted. Better new moorings in Sun Bay to the East.  And in Puerto Mosquito (Bio Bay), the DPNRhas installed a few moorings at the entrance and motors are not to be used in the bay.
 

New Construction at Rodney Bay, St. Lucia

May 18, 2008

     The inner lagoon at Rodney Bay is currently off limits to cruisers due to construction of a new marina.

 

New Belizean Law?

This was sent by John Kettlewell:

Feb. 7, 2008

     A huge controversy is brewing in Belize among private boat owners and the Belize Port Authority.  The Port Authority has issued a new decree that everybody who drives a or sails a boat big or small has to be licensed as a captain.

"No other country in the world has such a law," exclaimed one angry boat owner.

"This is for commercial people, not the family man who owns a boat," exclaimed another.

"We are alienating all those long-stay tourists who come down for a month or two each year and spend their money here," another boat owner complained.

"No other country in the world has this law," exclaimed one irate boat owner.

     Many boat owners don't use their boats often enough to justify the expense of getting a captain's license.   Reports say the license fee for Belizeans is $80.00. It is $1,000.00 for foreigners. This is apart from the mandatory fee charged for annual boat registration.  The tax and the amount are both arbitrary and do make a distinction between small run-about boats and larger sea-going boats The fees may also be illegal since the Port Authority needs to have legislative power to impose such a new tax on boats.   The Belize Port Authority has not made any public announcement about the new tax. Nor has it tried to explain the need for imposing such a new tax at this time.

 

     (In my humble opinion folks, this is wrong.  It's a known fact that government of Belize is trying to find new sources of revenue, but this is an excellent example of  Belize driving off more money than they will derive from this decree.  Let's see what develops here...Steve Pavlidis)

 

Possible New Regs for Visas in the Dutch Netherlands Antilles

October 24, 2007
This is a copy of an email I received from the St. Maartin Marine Trades Association:
 

     "We would like to advise you that there have been some recent developments with regard to the immigration legislation of the Netherlands Antilles. One of the changes impacts the previous acceptation of the Seaman's Book in lieu of a visa for nationalities requiring a visa (list attached). At this time all crew on that list are required to present a visa for The Netherlands Antilles upon arrival.  This visa can be obtained at almost any Dutch Consulate around the world. 
     In the meantime The St. Maarten Marine Trades Association has held meetings with the Island Government of St Maarten in efforts to obtain a postponement of the implementation of this new ruling. The response thus far from the
Island Government has been extremely positive and the SMMTA is optimistic that an accommodation for the marine industry will be forthcoming."
Update 26th October, 2007
     "A delegation from the Netherlands Antilles Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be arriving on the island on the 31st October to meet with the SMMTA and Island officials and a draft amendment is being circulated for discussion.  The proposal has the support of the SMMTA and the board remains optimistic that a resolution will be announced during the following week. The SMMTA will continue to issue regular updates regarding this matter.
THE ST. MAARTEN MARINE TRADES ASSOCIATION
Website: www.smmta.com
 

Lagoon Marina Owner Murdered In Honduras

Oct. 2, 2007

   On September 16, Lagoon Marina owner Tony Vorleiter was murdered in La Ceiba, Honduras.  Vorleiter was shot 7 times after leaving a local restaurant.  Tony's 15 year old daughter, Estafany, was also reported to have been struck by two bullets in her neck and was hospitalized.  Vorleiter was said to have been followed by two men after leaving the restaurant around 9:30 P.M. after dining with his wife, Rita, and their two children.

 

Robberies in Venezuelan Waters

July 15, 2007

     I just received information concerning two robberies in Venezuelan waters from John and Melodye Pompa of the Caribbean Safety and Security Net:

1.  Sometime during the night of June 29/30, a French singlehander was forced onto a reef near the island of Coche by two fishing boats, who then boarded and robbed him.  The captain suffered some injuries and went immediately to Porlamar the next day to report this to the authorities.

2.  About 7 pm in the evening of June 23, a yacht anchored by themselves in Ensenada Toporo (about 1 mile north of Mochima Town in Mochima Park) was boarded by four armed men, who proceeded to beat up the captain and take numerous articles from the boat.  The boat is UK registry, although the captain is Russian and his partner is German.  They did report the attack to the local authorities in Mochima Town and then to the Guardia Costa in Cumana.

 

Yacht Club at Isle de Sol on St. Marting sold to IGY

June 27, 2007

     Island Global Yachting, IGY, one of the world’s premier owners, developers and managers of luxury marinas and yachting lifestyle destinations, announced that it has closed on its acquisition of the Yacht Club at Isle de Sol (IDS).  Acclaimed as one of the top marinas in the Caribbean which caters to the mega-yacht market, IDS is ideally situated near the Simpson Bay Bridge on St. Maarten in the Dutch Antilles.   The marina features 45 slips accommodating vessels ranging from 80 to 360 feet.  CMMC N.V., a wholly-owned subsidiary of IGY, has managed this property since its construction.

     IGY’s presence on St. Maarten also includes control of the Simpson Bay Yacht Club, ownership of the St. Maarten Shipyard project and management of various other assets.  The company offers an unprecedented Pan-Caribbean collection of marinas including other locations such as: St. Lucia, the British Virgin Islands, and St. Thomas.  IGY developments are not only enhancing and revitalizing their local areas, but the network of properties is setting new standards for service and quality.  IGY’s signature marina, Yacht Haven Grande, opened in March in St. Thomas, USVI, and can accommodate yachts ranging in size from 60 to 500 feet.  Its facilities are considered by the industry to be the most technologically advanced and are complemented by its upland development of world-class shopping, restaurants, entertainment and recreational amenities, as well as luxury residential units.  Since its opening, the marina has attracted some of the world’s most spectacular private yachts.

 

New Development on Mayaguana, Bahamas

June 7, 2007

     The Mayaguana Development Company has purchased some 10,000 acres of land on Mayagauana; look for some changes to come about here over the next couple of years!

 

Wifi in Carriacou

March 23, 2007

     How quickly things change in the islands!  The Johnson's Wifi service in Tyrrel Bay, Carriacou, is no more.  However, Jerry Stewart at Tyrrel Bay Yacht Haulout and Michael Ward of Ariel Electronics have set up a new Wifi service at the boatyard and it's free, "donations to our favorite charity" to quote Jerry (which is the Carriacou Children's Education Fund).  Check with Jerry at the yard to sign up.

 

March 18, 2007

    Cruisers in Tyrrel Bay, Carriacou, now have high-speed wifi in the bay.  Sue and Rick Johnston aboard the S/V Panacea sponsor the wifi service...you'll find their antenna ashore at Arawak Divers.

 

New Construction at Palmas del Mar, Puerto Rico

March 18 2007

    On the southern shore of Puerto Rico, the small cove at Palmas Del Mar is under construction, dredging, and there is no room for anchoring at this time.  Look for a new marina to possibly open here.  The marina at the old Roosevelt Roads Naval Base on the eastern shore of Puerto Rico is still open on a  month to month basis as the base returns to Puerto Rican control.  Cruisers who are active duty or retired military may still use the somewhat limited facilities (a bowling alley that's a good hike from the marina).  The future of the marina is still questionable at this time as the Puerto Ricans decide who gets what from the old base.  In Salinas, on the southern shore of Puerto Rico, the marina there opened it's new watering hole and named it for Bruce Van Sant, "Jalan Jalan". 

 

 

New Fishing Regulations in the Bahamas

Feb. 25, 2007

     If you are headed to the Bahamas take note of this news item dated Jan. 12, 2007:

 

AMENDMENT TO THE SPORTSFISHING REGULATIONS Bahamas Information Service

     The Department of Marine Resources of the Bahamas wishes to advise the general public that the several amendments to the Regulations governing sportsfishing have been made and that these changes came into force on 1st January, 2007. The amendments which have been made to Regulation 48 of the Fisheries Regulations (Ch. 244 - Subsidiary Legislation of The Bahamas - 2000) have the effect of curtailing the amount of marine resources which can legally be harvested by foreign boaters visiting the Bahamas.
The general public is informed that Regulation 48 now reads:
48. (1) In sportsfishing the following rules apply-
a. A person shall fish by the traditional method of angling with a hook or lure attached to a line held in the hand or attached to a pole, rod or reel;
b. A person, unless otherwise authorized by the respective permit, shall not use a spear, a fish trap, or a net other than a landing net;
c. Each vessel shall use not more than six (6) rods or reels unless the operator is in possession of a permit authorizing the use of more rods or reels;
d. Any migratory fishery resource that is caught shall not in total consist of more than six (6) Kingfish, Dolphin, Tuna or Wahoo per vessel and any resource not intended to be used shall not be injured unnecessarily but be returned to the sea alive;
e. No vessel shall have on board any conch, turtle or more than twenty pounds of any demersal fishery resources (groupers, snappers, etc.) per vessel at any time and excluding not more than six crawfish per vessel.
(2) The limitations specified in (1)(d) and (e) shall also apply to a Bahamian vessel engaged in fishing for purposes other than commercial by persons who are not Bahamians;
3.Subject to paragraph (1) no vessel shall have on board any fish unless its head and tail is intact.
The general public is advised that the Queen Conch (conch) is considered to be an endangered species throughout much of its range within the wider Caribbean area, including The Bahamas. The Government, in an effort to ensure the continued sustainability of local conch stocks, has decided to prohibit the harvesting of the species by foreign boaters.
The general public is further informed that the changes to the Sportsfishing Rules may be found in the Gazette SI 79 of 2006 dated 28 December 2006.

 

     Well, reading the above you might get the idea that spearfishing is now illegal in the Bahamas for visiting cruisers, in fact many did get that idea and really raised a ruckus, but the truth is that you when you apply for a fishing permit you can ask for "spearfishing" to be added to it as well, in fact you'd better so as not to get caught without a legal permit aboard if you do plan to spearfish. 

     But the really sad news is that cruisers can no longer harvest conch!  Personally I don't believe that cruisers are putting that big a dent in the Queen Conch population, but those in power have that notion, or are at least using that as an excuse to force us to buy our conch from the locals, thereby bringing money into the local economy.  Granted, this is good for the locals, yes, but please, don't insult our intelligence claiming it's because we're decimating the conch population.  Call it what it is, a way to bring revenue where it's needed.

 

 

Montserrat's Soufriere Hills volcano erupts again!

September 2, 2006

     Montserrat's Soufriere Hills volcano, which first began erupting on July 15, 1995, again blasted ash and steam into the air on Thursday, August 31, 2006, and authorities warned that Montserrat could see heightened activity in the coming days. The eruption did not affect the northern side of the island, where all of Montserrat's 5,000 residents live, but the Montserrat Volcano Observatory raised the alert status.

     "The volcano is extremely active," observatory director Sue Loughlin.  Thurday's blasts sounded like jets flying over the tiny British territory, much of which was buried by an eruption in 1997 that killed 19 people.  The volcano's dome collapsed partially on June 30.

     It wasn't clear what would result from the latest activity, which included rock falls.  "It's really the uncertainty that causes us to put the alert level up," Loughlin said. "We expect something to happen but we don't know exactly what it might be."  More than half of Montserrat's 12,000 inhabitants have moved away since the volcano sprang to life in 1995. Access to the deserted southern zone was closed Thursday.  For more information visit the Montserrat Volcano Observatory website at: http://www.mvo.ms/.

 

More Thefts in Trinidad: Boat boarded and Robbed in Chaguaramas

August 17,2006

     On Wednesday evening, August 16, 2006, a boat tied to a YSATT mooring in Chaguaramas Bay was boarded by three men, two of whom were armed with machetes, the third with a pistol.  Nobody aboard was harmed but the captain and crew were robbed and several items of value were removed from the boat.  The same night a dinghy was stolen from TTSA.  Cruisers in Chauragamas are warning other cruisers to avoid coming to Chag Bay at this time, or, if they must come, to be prepared for such a confrontation. 

 

New Moorings in Trinidad

August 11, 2006

     YSATT has just instated five new moorings in Chaguaramas Bay that are specifically designed for heavier boats.  The moorings can be identified by the letter "H" preceding the number on the mooring ball.  Rates are TT$42 per day and TT$1,140 per month. 

 

Thefts in Trinidad

July 27, 2006

     During the last couple of months there has been a rash of crime against boaters in Chagauramas, Trinidad, some 18 dinghies/motors have been stolen in the last two months, not to mention the two portable generators that were also stolen.  There was also an armed robbery of cruisers in a Maxi-Taxi.  Use caution here!  LOCK IT OR LOSE IT!  I'm told that only boats in Chagauramas Bay were hit, and that vessels at TTSA and TTYC were safe and sound. The cruisers have set up a voluntary watch program whereby all boats in the anchorage are scanned with high-power searchlights from four different locations from dusk till dawn, if anything suspicious is observed alarms are raised, the VHF becomes active, and soon the entire anchorage knows that something is up.

 

Malaria Scare in George Town, Great Exuma!

July 5, 2006:

On June 16, 2006, the CDC in Atlanta released the following statement:

     "The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recently received official reports of 14 confirmed malaria cases in Great Exuma, Bahamas, an area where malaria transmission does not normally occur and for which anti-malarial drugs have not previously been recommended.  Thirteen cases occurred in residents of the Bahamas, and an additional malaria infection was confirmed in a U.S. citizen who traveled to Great Exuma in early May of 2006.  All these confirmed infections were caused by Plasmodium falciparum.  Most of the patients reported to recent travel to malaria-endemic areas, but some of the Bahamian residents may have recently traveled from Haiti where P. falciparum is endemic.  Malaria is not considered endemic on the islands of the Bahamas.  The Ministry of Health in the Bahamas has responded with heightened surveillance for and treatment of malaria cases, mosquito control measures, and education of the local population.  The Caribbean Epidemiology Center and the Pan-American Health Organization/World Health Organization are assisting the Ministry of Health with these response measures."

     A few days after this announcement the Miami Herald reported that the number of cases was up to 16 with one American and one Canadian in those numbers.  The Herald also reported that Bahamian authorities planned to spray in and around Nassau and in Exuma in an effort to control a possible outbreak.

     The CDC recommends that anyone traveling to Exuma should see their doctor concerning the need for anti-malarial drugs, and those who have  been to Exuma after May 1, 2006, who experience flu-like symptoms should see a doctor immediately

     Malaria is a serious and sometimes fatal disease caused by a parasite that is passed to a human when that person is bitten by an infected mosquito.  The parasites enter the person’s bloodstream and travel to the person’s liver to enter the liver cells, grow, and multiply.  During this period the person does not feel sick, and it is not until the parasites leave the liver and enter the red blood cells (usually from 8-days to months after the mosquito bite) that the illness comes upon the host.  Red blood cells burst freeing the parasites to attack other blood cells and toxins are released into the blood that make the host human feel sick.  At this point a mosquito biting that individual will receive these parasites and can pass them on to other humans after an incubation period of about one week.

     Symptoms of malaria usually begin about 10-30 days after infection (although some people have exhibited symptoms from 8 days to one year after infection, with one type of malaria taking up to 4 years for the symptoms to manifest) and include fever and a flu-like illness including shaking chills, headaches, muscle aches, and fatigue; nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea may also occur.  Malaria may also cause anemia, jaundice (yellow discoloration of the skin and eyes) because of the loss of red blood cells.  There are four types of malaria that can affect humans, and if one type, Plasmodium falcipiarum, is not treated promptly it may cause kidney failure, seizures, mental confusion, coma, and even death.  This is the type of infection reported in the Exuma cases.

     Now don’t panic fellow cruisers, malaria can be prevented, and simply traveling to Exuma does not insure infection.  Prior to your departure for an infected area you can ask your physician for an anti-malarial drug such as Chloroquine, which is the recommended drug for many areas in this hemisphere.  If you decide to take this drug do it religiously, exactly on schedule and without missing a dose, and upon leaving the area continue taking the drug for four weeks.  You can also go far towards prevention by wearing long sleeves and long pants to avoid mosquito bites and using an insect repellent with DEET on exposed skin.   DEET is toxic so don’t breathe it in, swallow it, or get it in your eyes, and never use it on children under two months of age.  Mosquito screens on hatches are a very good idea as well, and if you can spray a repellent or insecticide such as permethrin or deltamethrin on the screens, so much the better.

 

Chub Cay Marina Reopens!

July 5, 2006:

     As of June 15, 2006, Chub Cay Marina has reopened for business.  Chub Cay Marina now has over 100 slips available and rates, as shown on the marina's website, are $3.50 per foot during the season, November 15-August 15, and off season rates are $2.50 per foot.   

 

Rash of Boat Break-ins on Utila

July 5, 2006:

     The peaceful island of Utila, the hottest dive spot in the Northwestern Caribbean and party central for the Bay Islands of Honduras, is in the spotlight  because of a series of 15 boat burglaries over the last year with 4 in the last three months alone.  Several boats have been broken into and looted and the locals tell the cruisers that they cannot tell them who did these crimes because everybody on Utila is related and they will not give up their own family members.  So bad is the problem that the anchorage in East Bay is now known as Burglary Bay.  One cruiser told me that a Honduran National Police officer has been implicated by one victim as well as a bar operator who is said to flick his lights to warn the thieves that the owners are returning to their boats and plays loud music to cover up the noise of the actual break-in.  This is not a crime of opportunity, this is not crack-heads from the mainland as many locals will tell you, it is a sophisticated, organized effort by members of some of the most important families on the island.  The thieves normally take anything of value, electronics, cash, cds and dvds, but they seem to leave behind the gear that is important in the boat's operation (handheld GPSs and VHF radios, chart plotters, binoculars, etc).  This leads one to believe that the perpetrators want nothing more than than for their victims to leave the island ASAP and don't want to hamper them or delay their departure.  Perhaps it's better for the thief's business that way.  The best protection may be to simply not visit Utila until the people of Utila learn that those that will be hit hardest by this crime spree are the merchants of Utila who will lose out on the money that would have come their way had cruisers not begun avoiding this island like the plague.  Your money's absence can make a difference. 

     In response to many complaints about the crime problem in Utila, the mayor came up with a "brilliant" 3-point plan.  The mayor stated that he has implemented a boat patrol between 1900-2200 nightly, however, nobody I've talked to who is or was at Utila recently has seen such a patrol.  The mayor also asked cruisers to anchor in a line so that the boats can be watched more effectively.  Lastly, the mayor says that he intends to place 30 moorings in the harbor.  I guess this is to replace the revenue lost when he arranges for the thieves to stop their thieving.

 

Crime Against Cruisers in St. Vincent and the Grenadines

July 5, 2006:

     On July 5, 2006, around 0100, a charter boat anchored at Chateau Belair on St. Vincent, was boarded by three armed men.  The passengers were not injured and only personal items were taken.  The boat was anchored in an area that The Moorings warns it's guests to avoid.  This robbery was similar to ones that occured in April in Chatham Bay (Union Island), Sandy Island (Carriacou), and on Petit St. Vincent.  The perpetrators of these crimes, in each instance it was three men, were all dressed in para-military uniforms.  The men had stolen a powerboat on Union Island the night before and returned it the next day.  The St. Vincent/Grenadines police caught one of the men, but when taking him to jail he escaped and the local word is that he's hiding in the mountains of St. Vincent.

 

The Bahamas

April 14, 2006

     There is a proposed development on the northern end of Guana Cay in Abaco, for more information about the controversy over this you can visit: http://www.saveguanacayreef.com/issues.htm

     For more information about the Brilander's attempt to curtail a new development on Harbour Island visit the Briland Message Board at: http://www.briland.com/forum/forumsubject.php?subjectid=1245

Thanks to Bob Browning for the above links.

     The following request comes from Captain Anthony J. Allens, Port Controller, Bahamas Port Authority:  "In order to minimize unnecessary traffic on VHF ch. 16, the Bahamas Port Authority and BASRA (Bahamas Air-Sea Rescue Association) request that ALL VESSELS at anchor or berthed in a marina in any Bahamian harbour stand by on VHF ch. 68 using ch. 68 for initial contact between boats before moving off to another working frequency for conversation.  You can still monitor VHF ch. 16 by hitting the "Dual" switch on your VHF radio."  Apparently folks are tired of listening to the constant chatter between boats.  Perhaps they should also listen in to the VHF usage by Bahamians who use the VHF like a telephone.  I would never deny these folks VHF usage, however I must wonder if the Port Authority is less concerned with their population's usage of the VHF radio frequencies.  Personally, I suspect that the problem stems from the overuse by cruisers in Nassau, the Marsh Harbour area, and George Town in particular even though cruisers have been asked to use VHF ch. 68 for years in George Town.  The Port Authority can be reached by phone at 242-322-8832, by fax at 242-322-5545, by snail mail at P.O. Box N-8175, Nassau, The Bahamas, or by email at portanp@batelnet.bs.

     It seems that there may be a new marina located on Crooked Island in The Bahamas in the not-too-distant-future. Apparently the permits have been okayed and construction is getting ready to begin.   I don't know when the completion date will be, but check back and I'll post whatever I can find out just as soon as I get the info. 

 

© Stephen J. Pavlidis 2010