Explorer Chartbooks, A CRUISERS’ NET PARTNER, has long been the standard navigational supplement for enjoyable, informative, and safe cruising through the beautiful Bahamian waters and island visits.

Bahamas Chatter: New Anchoring fee for Exuma Land and Sea Park
New Anchoring fee for Exuma Land and Sea Park

Posted: 02 Mar 2018 01:53 PM PST

This was posted in Bahamas Sailing and Cruising Facebook group. Big change is a $0.50/foot anchoring fee for vessels under 90′.

“Good morning cruisers; Park Warden at the ECLSP here. Below is some important info from our Administrator in regards to a new anchorage fee structure.

Attention ALL vessels:

New Anchorage Fees in effect as of today; March 1st, 2018.

Vessels 90’ and above will be required to pay $1 per foot for anchoring within the Park boundaries.

Vessels under 90’ will be required to pay $0.50 per foot for anchoring within the Park boundaries.

Please remember the park boundaries run from Wax Cay Cut in the North to Conch Cut in the South, and extend outward 4nm to the East and the West.

Thank you,
Park Administrator
Joseph Ierna Jr”

Explorer Chartbooks, A CRUISERS’ NET PARTNER, has long been the standard navigational supplement for enjoyable, informative, and safe cruising through the beautiful Bahamian waters and island visits.

Bahamas Chatter: “George Town/Elizabeth Harbour Fuel Update” plus 1 more
George Town/Elizabeth Harbour Fuel Update

Posted: 28 Feb 2018 05:25 AM PST

In our monthly fuel survey,for several months we have been unable to get a response to our calls to Exuma Yacht Club. Now we can give a first-hand report on fuel in Elizabeth Harbour. The marina was severely damaged by hurricanes last year and has not been rebuilt. There is no fuel (or water) at the dock. Gasoline can be obtained by jerry-jugging from the filling station.The Harbour Master reports that delivery of diesel can be made to the rough concrete government dock, where the mailboat and freight boats come in. Arrangements can be made through the filling station in town.

The nearest fuel stations are the Marina at Emerald Bay on Great Exuma and Long Island Petroleum in Salt Pond.

Additional information on the harbour: The moorings in Hole #1 have been reduced to just a handful and there is no pumpout boat operational. It is wise to be aware of the possible harbour pollution with the large number of vessels there.

Crossing

Posted: 27 Feb 2018 04:13 PM PST

What is best way to find others doing crossing from Florida to Abaco?

If you are in the Bahamas, you might see one of these ancient swimmers.

New species of shark discovered has ancestors older than dinosaurs from Fox News

Explorer Chartbooks, A CRUISERS’ NET PARTNER, has long been the standard navigational supplement for enjoyable, informative, and safe cruising through the beautiful Bahamian waters and island visits.

Bahamas Chatter: Mooring. In Abaco.
Mooring. In Abaco.

Posted: 17 Feb 2018 03:00 PM PST
Looking for a recommendation for mooring or docking a 44’ voyage cat. Looking for charter partners. Expected to get permit late March. Heading north from BVI. Hoping to call Abaco our new base. AlternateLatitude.com

Louise is asking for recent experience anchoring in Morgan’s Bluff. If you have had good luck setting your anchor there, let us hear from you.

Can you tell us what the bottom conditions are for anchoring in Morgan’s Bluff? We heard after Juaquine in 2015 the bottom was all scoured and thus poor holding. Wondering if it has improved.
Louise

Morgan’s Bluff is not in our Anchorage Directory, but we found these entries via Google:

www.noonsite.com › Countries › Bahamas
Morgans Bluff – Profile. Location. Morgan’s Bluff at the north end of North Andros, just north of Nicholls Town. Not much goes on here except for the regatta … The anchorage is good holding in sand and grass and protection good except from the north. The government dock is off-limits to private boats.

And this from Cruisers’ Net Partner Explorer Charts:

Morgans Bluff & Nicholls Town

Explorer Chartbooks, A CRUISERS’ NET PARTNER, has long been the standard navigational supplement for enjoyable, informative, and safe cruising through the beautiful Bahamian waters and island visits.

Bahamas Chatter: Tale of Two Lights
Tale of Two Lights

Posted: 09 Feb 2018 06:29 AM PST

We have a first-hand report on two navigational lights; one of which is crucial to navigation in an open area and the other one entering Nassau Harbour from the east.

The first, the Northwest Channel Light, is still not lighted. There is a pole (approximately 30′) with a rope trailing from the top. This crucial light has not yet been replaced (for several years).

The second, the light on Porgee Rock, has been rebuilt and is working. The irony of this is that we just took that light off all of the Explorer charts of the area and published the new data last summer, and now it is working again! Oh well! So make a correction on your charts: The Porgee Rock Light is now working (for now).

Monty Lewis
Explorer Chartbooks

Explorer Chartbooks, A CRUISERS’ NET PARTNER, has long been the standard navigational supplement for enjoyable, informative, and safe cruising through the beautiful Bahamian waters and island visits.

Bahamas Chatter: Guana moorings?
Guana moorings?

Posted: 08 Feb 2018 03:29 PM PST

Looking for a reasonable place to moor a 35 foot sailboat for long term near Guana Cay. Just bought a boat that has been occupied on the hook in Marsh Harbour, but I’m living in a home in Guana for the next year.

Explorer Chartbooks, A CRUISERS’ NET PARTNER, has long been the standard navigational supplement for enjoyable, informative, and safe cruising through the beautiful Bahamian waters and island visits.

Bahamas Chatter: Shower in Hatchett Bay, Eleuthra
Shower in Hatchett Bay, Eleuthra

Posted: 04 Feb 2018 02:20 PM PST

Farrington’s convenience store is located at the gazebo dock. He now has a shower available for the cruisers, $5/shower is what he is planing on charging.

Explorer Chartbooks, A CRUISERS’ NET PARTNER, has long been the standard navigational supplement for enjoyable, informative, and safe cruising through the beautiful Bahamian waters and island visits.

Bahamas Chatter: “Changes in Bimini Entrance Buoys”
Changes in Bimini Entrance Buoys

Posted: 03 Feb 2018 07:20 AM PST

The 2017 hurricanes brought changes to the entrance buoys of the channel to Bimini. The waypoint in Explorer Chartbook Near Bahamas 8th edition remains the same, but some of the buoys are off station as originally plotted on the chart.

* The first red buoy on the chart is now off station, having moved northward off the southern tip of North Bimini right in the middle of a very shallow sandbar. Don’t go there!

* The first red buoy you see approaching South Bimini is actually the second one on the chart. It is in the correct position.

* There is a green buoy beyond that and it is off station near the entrance to Bimini Sands Marina on South Bimini.

* There are four small buoys along the shore of South Bimini leading into North Bimini. They are in correct position. The lighted pole at the entrance also remains.

Another note on Bimini: The marinas no longer furnish Customs papers for you to fill out on your boat. Here’s a link: https://forms.bahamas.gov.bs/dp_form.asp?fid=263.
You have to either go to Customs to get the forms and fill them out there or download them and print them out so you can fill them ahead of time.

The Customs office is still at the Big Game Marina, while Immigration is a little farther north at the Administration Building (both shown on the chart).

Explorer Chartbooks, A CRUISERS’ NET PARTNER, has long been the standard navigational supplement for enjoyable, informative, and safe cruising through the beautiful Bahamian waters and island visits.

Bahamas Chatter: “Fishing tackle” plus 1 more
Fishing tackle

Posted: 30 Jan 2018 02:39 PM PST

Finding fishing tackle in Eleuthera can be hard. Found a great shop in Spanish Wells, Island Custom Rod and Tackle. Located on West end of Spanish Wells at end of 28th St North, about three blocks west of Food Fair. Great selection and good prices and very friendly service.

ATM in Spanish Wells

Posted: 30 Jan 2018 04:46 AM PST

Scotia Bank in Spanish Wells has been replaced by CB Bank. While they have an atm I believe most foriegn debit cards will not work.
On Leo Pinder St the convenience store “Island Mart” has a Royal Bank of Canada atm inside which does work with international debit cards.

Explorer Chartbooks, A CRUISERS’ NET PARTNER, has long been the standard navigational supplement for enjoyable, informative, and safe cruising through the beautiful Bahamian waters and island visits.

Bahamas Chatter: “Floating Docks” plus 1 more
Floating Docks

Posted: 28 Jan 2018 05:08 AM PST

My wife and I love the Bahamas. The challenge we have is finding suitable dockage. We have a 90lb dog and need to get onto land, for guess what? I cannot easily get him onto fixed docks.
Could anyone with significant Bahamas knowledge help us take Dusty with us?

Meeks Patch Eleuthera no longer unoccupied

Posted: 27 Jan 2018 05:41 PM PST

Meeks Parch, between Royal and Spanish Wells, now has a dozen pigs and some ducks residing there. Large sign adverising “Pig Island Adventures”.
Still a great anchorage, just no longer suitable to take dogs ashore.

Explorer Chartbooks, A CRUISERS’ NET PARTNER, has long been the standard navigational supplement for enjoyable, informative, and safe cruising through the beautiful Bahamian waters and island visits.

Bahamas Chatter: New Source of Diesel Fuel
New Source of Diesel Fuel

Posted: 25 Jan 2018 11:10 AM PST

Thanks to John Gula for finding more economical fuel prices for cruisers. The power plant on the south shore of Russell Island (near Spanish Wells, Eleuthera) has a pier at longitude 76* 46.36’ W. They sell diesel at a reduced price. We verified the current price below.

$3.22 gal.VISA/MC accepted. SEE EXPLORER CHART EL 9.

Open to all vessels. This is a power plant co-op.

St. George’s Cay Power Co. Ltd.
Mr. Roylaton McKenzie
Operations Manager
1-242-333-4481/4407
1-242-559-3068
e-mail royliston@yahoo.com

Explorer Chartbooks, A CRUISERS’ NET PARTNER, has long been the standard navigational supplement for enjoyable, informative, and safe cruising through the beautiful Bahamian waters and island visits.
Bahamas Chatter: US vessel seized
US vessel seized

Posted: 20 Jan 2018 02:52 PM PST

4 January in Marsh Harbour Abaco Bahamian Customs and RBDF officers boarded and searched a US flagged MV that had not cleared customs. They found weapons aboard. The two US citizens were handed over to Bahamian police and the vessel confiscated.

Explorer Chartbooks, A CRUISERS’ NET PARTNER, has long been the standard navigational supplement for enjoyable, informative, and safe cruising through the beautiful Bahamian waters and island visits.

Bahamas Chatter: Search for Missing Vessel
Search for Missing Vessel

Posted: 09 Jan 2018 08:02 AM PST 

Sharing this info:BOLO for the S/V ELLIPSIS
Seven Seas Cruising Association’s HF Radio Service KPK has been asked for assistance in locating the S/V ELLIPSIS which departed Puerto Rico on December 26, 2017 on a voyage to St Augustine, Florida. The vessel is a 32’ Westsail cutter rig sloop, light tan hull, maroon stripe below the rail, with tan bark sails.
There are two POB. The Captain is Scott Kans, age approx 55, accompanied by crew Rafael Torres, approx age 30. Neither men are known to have medical issues, although Scott is believed to have a hernia.
The vessel has a 6 person life raft, however no EPIRB, SSB or HF Radio, or other means of communication other than two cell phones. They have no way to receive weather information since departing Puerto Rico. Scott’s cell phone is 787-306-9114.
The vessel sustained major damage during the hurricanes in Puerto Rico, including damage to its rigging which is believed to have been repaired prior to departing Puerto Rico. It is believed the vessel may have a cutlass bearing issue.
Their intended route was to pass close enough to the Turks and Caicos to allow them to call their emergency contact via cell phone. The contact expected hearing from them on or around January 2nd. From the Turks and Caicos they planned to continue through the East Bahamas into the Gulf Stream to St Augustine, Florida.
The USCG Sector Jacksonville has been notified.
Chris Parker of the Marine Weather Center is also aware of this overdue boat and will broadcast a lookout on his Monday SSB morning weather report for the Bahamas.
Dick Giddings of the afternoon Doo Dah SSB Net is also aware and broadcasting a lookout as well as putting it out on the morning Cruiseheimers Net.
KPK will ensure the Waterway Radio & Cruising Club Amateur Radio Net covers it as well as the both SSCA morning SSB nets at 1215 hrs UTC and 1315 hrs UTC on frequency 8.104.
Anyone with information regarding this vessel may contact KPK@ssca.org and the USCG.
Glenn Tuttle – Net Manager
SSCA HF Radio Service KPK
941-456-5070

Explorer Chartbooks, A CRUISERS’ NET PARTNER, has long been the standard navigational supplement for enjoyable, informative, and safe cruising through the beautiful Bahamian waters and island visits.

Bahamas Chatter: “north eluthera- spanish wells?” plus 1 more
north eluthera- spanish wells?

Posted: 26 Dec 2017 01:49 PM PST

hi all,

later in the season we’ll have guests fly into north eluthera. we’ll probably be at the marina in spanish wells. anyone know about the connections/phone numbers we need to get them from airport to marina?

duetto

Diesel fuel in Andros

Posted: 26 Dec 2017 01:47 PM PST

Planning a trip down Andros and would like to know of Diesel Fuel availability in Andros? Any recent purchases would be helpful.

Explorer Chartbooks, A CRUISERS’ NET PARTNER, has long been the standard navigational supplement for enjoyable, informative, and safe cruising through the beautiful Bahamian waters and island visits.

Bahamas Chatter: Guns and Ammo in Bahamas
Guns and Ammo in Bahamas
Posted: 15 Dec 2017 07:32 AM PST
We recently had some questions about how many rounds of ammunition one could bring in on a boat cruising in the Bahamas. We were able to talk to an official at Bahamas Customs and get this answer for what is allowed:
3 guns
250 rounds/weapon
Also, as it states in the Customs article of our Explorer Chartbooks, if one is boarded by the Defence Force, the number of rounds of ammunition aboard should equal the number on the cruising permit.
That’s the official word.

Monty Lewis
Explorer Chartbooks

Explorer Chartbooks, A CRUISERS’ NET PARTNER, has long been the standard navigational supplement for enjoyable, informative, and safe cruising through the beautiful Bahamian waters and island visits.

Bahamas Chatter: “chart plotter software” plus 1 more
chart plotter software
Posted: 11 Dec 2017 04:42 PM PST 
What free chart plotter software on your laptop do you use
when you’re downloading Explorer charts?

Lighthouse Yacht Club Andros
Posted: 11 Dec 2017 04:39 PM PST
Does anyone know if Lighthouse YC marina in Fresh Creek is open? Have heard conflicting reports. If closed, what are the options for stopping there? (don’t need any services) thx

Explorer Chartbooks, A CRUISERS’ NET PARTNER, has long been the standard navigational supplement for enjoyable, informative, and safe cruising through the beautiful Bahamian waters and island visits.

Bahamas Chatter: “Weather Reports while in the Bahamas” plus 1 more
Weather Reports while in the Bahamas
Posted: 07 Dec 2017 03:45 AM PST
Can anybody provide some information on weather reports while in the Bahamas?

Taking fireams into the Bahamas
Posted: 07 Dec 2017 03:43 AM PST
Does anybody know the amount of ammunition you can have aboard when in the Bahamas? I heard up to a maximum of 250 rounds per weapon.

Bahamas Chatter: “The pet thing…addendum” plus 2 more
The pet thing…addemdum
Posted: 28 Nov 2017 07:37 AM PST
To those that have pets on board. I sent in my International moneys order, and the proper form on the 16th of Sept, 2017. We left Bakers Haulover for Bimini on the 24th of November. Without having received any formal paper work back. To this day, my mail delivery/receive service has not received any paper work. Tis the Bahamas…

With that in mind, I cleared into Bimini. The very nice lady at Customs, went through the usual paperwork, and questions. When she asked if I had any pets on board, I said yes, but, and then I went through the above paragraph with her. I showed her the receipts for the money orders, the Nassau form, the health certificate for Bentley, etc.

She looked at everything, shook her head, pushed all the papers back to me. So, on my cruising permit, next to the dingy and motor, the skiff and motor that I tow, the fishing poles on board, and the slings, is listed…………..ready for this……… (1) dog….

What a great country…not tied up in red tape at all…denO and Bentley

Crossing Flotilla
Posted: 28 Nov 2017 07:35 AM PST
We are planning a crossing from West Palm to the West End around the second week of January 2018. This being our first trip we would like to travel with others planning to cross to the Bahamas. We travel in a Carver 450 Voyager so our speed can vary to 20 MPH. Please let us know if you might be interested.

Sea Conditions for Crossing from Ft. Laudeerdale
Posted: 28 Nov 2017 07:34 AM PST
Can anybody tell me where I can get accurate sea conditions for crossing the stream. We’re heading to Bimini. From what I can see on the off shore reports it looks like 2 ft seas, with a NE wind. Can I rely on that information? Also, anything we should know going into Bimini.