Explorer Chartbooks, A SALTY SOUTHEAST 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: QUESTIONABLE FUEL MEASUREMENTS IN BAHAMAS
QUESTIONABLE FUEL MEASUREMENTS IN BAHAMAS
Posted: 23 Dec 2016 12:16 PM PST
NOTE TO CRUISERS: Based on the article below, it is a good idea to verify that you are getting the amount of fuel that you pay for in the Bahamas. Please post on the Chatter any discrepancies you find.

Excerpts of article By NEIL HARTNELL
Tribune Business Editor

Sir Franklyn Wilson yesterday said he was “shocked” and “amazed” by assertions from a Government regulator that consumers are being short-changed at 50 per cent of the Bahamas’ gasoline pumps.

The FOCOL Holdings chairman said he was unaware of the Bahamas Bureau of Standards and Quality (BBSQ) findings, but emphasised that neither his firm – nor any other oil industry player – would seek to deliberately cheat the Bahamian public.

“I couldn’t agree more; you should get what you pay for. There’s certainly no intent from us other than for people to get what they paid for,” he told Tribune Business.”

Dr Ferguson-Bufford gave little insight into her findings at last week’s conference other than the headline ‘50 per cent’ figure, and there was no mention of the gas stations and companies where consumers were not receiving the volume of gasoline they were paying for.

Disclosing the Bureau’s ‘rip-off’ findings, she said an inspection of fuel stations by the Bureau had found only half of the pumps measured volumes accurately.

“We have three major service providers, and we’re talking about all of them; we’re not targeting one over the other. We found issues with all of them. We have work to do. We found deficiencies.”

“We spoke to them, and they got their technicians to deal with the issue right away. You should get what you pay for.”

The Bahamas has three major fuel providers – Sol Petroleum/Esso (Bahamas); Rubis/Texaco (Bahamas) and Freeport Oil Company (FOCOL)/ Shell.
The oil/gasoline industry has subsequently been tight-lipped on the Bureau’s findings, with retail dealers contacted by Tribune Business referring this newspaper to their supplier head offices.

Explorer Chartbooks, A SALTY SOUTHEAST 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: West End Customs
West End Customs
Posted: 20 Dec 2016 05:08 AM PST
Has the customs and immigration office reopened at the West End?…thank you

Explorer Chartbooks, A SALTY SOUTHEAST 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: West End Old Bahama Bay
West End Old Bahama Bay
Posted: 19 Dec 2016 11:04 AM PST
Passing thru Old Bahama Bay in the next few weeks. Last update was no water,electric, but docks OK. Any update from boaters who have stayed? Thanks, Jimmy

Explorer Chartbooks, A SALTY SOUTHEAST 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: Chub Cay
Chub Cay
Posted: 18 Dec 2016 10:09 AM PST
FYI Chub Cay Marina closed until sometime 2017. NO CUSTOMS CLEARANCE in Chub Cay.

Explorer Chartbooks, A SALTY SOUTHEAST 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: Submitting Bahamas Chatter posts via email
Submitting Bahamas Chatter posts via email
Posted: 16 Dec 2016 08:20 AM PST
Hello cruisers!
For those new to the group, we welcome your comments and posts! We offer two ways to post to accommodate your needs.
1. Go directly to chatter.explorercharts.com and post or comment from the web.

2. Cruisers can now comment directly from email. Once you subscribe to the group, please email info@explorercharts.com and request permission to post to Bahamas Chatter via email. Your forum membership will be changed to “author” status at which point you can post or comment directly by sending your message to chatter@explorercharts.com.

Thanks for your participation in this great group of cruisers willing and ready to share ideas and experiences!
Kate Fears

Explorer Chartbooks, A SALTY SOUTHEAST 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: T-mobil in Bahamas?
T-mobil in Bahamas?
Posted: 15 Dec 2016 01:17 PM PST
hi all,

is anyone using their usa t-mobil data plan in bahamas? if so, is performance adequate for email, weather (windfinder), facebook, etc?

john (duetto)

Explorer Chartbooks, A SALTY SOUTHEAST 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: Moorings at Hatchett Bay, Eleuthra
Moorings at Hatchett Bay, Eleuthra
Posted: 07 Dec 2016 04:05 AM PST
Friends report on arrival in Hatchett Bay they received a vhf call from Francis Porch that the moorings were no longer safe to use.

Explorer Chartbooks, A SALTY SOUTHEAST 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: “Association of Bahamas Marinas make docking more expensive” plus 2 more
Association of Bahamas Marinas make docking more expensive
New Fuel and Dockage Survey, November 26, 2016
Current status of Customs and Immigration on Andros
Association of Bahamas Marinas make docking more expensive
Posted: 26 Nov 2016 08:29 AM PST
In conducting the latest fuel and dockage survey, we found a new expense being charged by some marinas. Two of the marinas we contacted, Treasure Cay Marina and Valentines Marina, advised that their dockage rates were subject to an additional levy of 2% to go to the Association of Bahamas Marinas. At this time it is unknown if all of the 30 member marinas will levying this fee.

New Fuel and Dockage Survey, November 26, 2016
Posted: 26 Nov 2016 07:47 AM PST
Fuel prices were mixed, some up, some down. Some marinas are still repairing hurricane damge. The new monthly Explorer Fuel and Dockage survey is posted on our website www.explorercharts.com. Click on Fuel and Dockage prices in the menu on the left side of the home page.
As always, we appreciate the individual reports you send us of any changes in prices from the date of this survey. Send an email to monty@explorercharts.com for any new prices you find until the next survey.

Current status of Customs and Immigration on Andros
Posted: 26 Nov 2016 03:50 AM PST
Does anyone know if it is currently possible for a cruising boat to check into the Bahamas on Andros? If so, any recommendations as to where are appreciated.
Mark

Explorer Chartbooks, A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET PARTNER, has long been the standard navigational supplement for enjoyable, informative, and safe cruising through the beautiful Bahamian waters and island visits. Monty and Sara Lewis are well known in this area for their personal research and reporting.  Responding to an earlier Bahamas Chatter, Skipper Grant is asking for your advice in routing this passage/crossing.

Hi I am wanting to cruise from Punta Gorda to the Bahamas in early February 2017 somewhere around the 7th.
I have a Bayliner 4588 so will be cuising at 8 to 9 knots.
I am presently in Australia and will be in Punta Gorda on the 2nd of February If anyone wishing to cruise as a Buddy Boat or a group of boats Please contact me on Email ( directfire.billings@gmail.com).
Cheers and Happy Boating
Grant Billings

Explorer Chartbooks, A SALTY SOUTHEAST 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: Changed water depth after Mathew?
Changed water depth after Mathew?
Posted: 20 Nov 2016 04:08 PM PST
Has anybody information about changed water depth after Mathew in any area of the Bahamas, especially on the route Memory Rock-Crab Cay?

Explorer Chartbooks, A SALTY SOUTHEAST 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: The end of sport fishing
The end of sport fishing
Posted: 19 Nov 2016 04:52 AM PST
The following is an article from The Florida Times-Union: Florida wildlife officials expressed concern Wednesday the government of the Bahamas is in talks with China to split fishing rights in waters east of Florida.

State Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Executive Director Nick Wiley said the potential deal, as reported, could impact Florida’s commercial and sport-fishing industries.

“China, their interests in this, would get exclusive access to fisheries in Bahamian waters,” Wiley said. “A lot of people may not realize this, but the boundary between the United States waters and Bahamian waters is still in dispute. It’s still not been clarified, so that further makes this an issue. The government of the Bahamas hasn’t released details of the negotiations.

The Nassau Guardian newspaper has reported that the government of the Bahamas has given the green light to its embassy in Beijing to pursue agricultural and fishing partnerships with China. The proposal reportedly could bring $2.1 billion in cash, along with agricultural and farming equipment, into the Bahamian economy, over 10 years.

The proposal by the Bahamian government, according to the Guardian, states: “While realization of a reasonable return on an investment in agriculture is a relatively slow process, requiring substantial capitalization over many years, participating companies in the initiative will within months of commencement of operations realize positive cash flow from the sale of seafood.”

Under the reported terms of the deal, the government would lease to 100 companies — each jointly owned by Chinese and Bahamians shareholders — 10,000 acres in Andros Island, along with fishing licenses.

“It is anticipated that the agricultural products and the seafood will be used either for local consumption or will be exported to China or the U.S.A. for sale,” the proposal says. “The management of participating companies will resolve to do what is in their best interest.”

Commercial fishing for conch, lobster, snapper and grouper are mainstays of the Andros Island’s economy. However, the indication is that the Chinese firms want to target dolphin, kingfish, marlin, tuna and wahoo.

Wiley said the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has reached out to the government of the Bahamas for additional details.

“It’s something we really need to figure out what is going on. We really don’t understand it yet,” said Commissioner Robert Spottswood, the president of a Key West real-estate development company. “But the potential impact for us in the Keys, in Florida and for the U.S., of the Chinese government getting involved in fishing in the Bahamas could certainly affect the balance of what is going on in fisheries in South Florida.”

Explorer Chartbooks, A SALTY SOUTHEAST 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 marina in Spanish Wells…
New marina in Spanish Wells…
Posted: 12 Nov 2016 04:08 AM PST
Just wondering if anyone has any reviews, and also pricing for the new Yacht Haven Marina in Spanish Wells?
DenO

Explorer Chartbooks, A SALTY SOUTHEAST 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: Chub Cay Marina remains closed
Chub Cay Marina remains closed
Posted: 02 Nov 2016 04:43 AM PDT
CHUB CAY, The Berry Islands, The Bahamas — After viewing the damage left in the wake of Hurricane Matthew on Chub Cay, Minister with responsibility for Hurricane Relief and Restoration the Hon. Shane Gibson pointed out, on October 31, 2016 that Chub Cay’s damage affects residents of North Andros, many of whom are still attempting to restore their lives after the Hurricane’s onslaught on that nearby island.

He explained that with the resort at Chub Cay now closed, persons who worked on the operational side were no longer on the job — unless they were able to work on construction and maintenance.

He described it as in fact “a double blow” for those who worked on Chub Cay, and came from Lowe Sound.

Minister Gibson led a small team to the island to view the damage and the work done by the property to address and rectify any issues. He said that it was his first visit to Chub Cay and he was very impressed by the property and the restoration efforts that are already full swing. Minister Gibson also related what he saw during the tour of the property.

“When you look at the homes that were impacted, obviously it is going to be a while before they get back to some sense of normalcy again…. Quite a number of the homes have some damage to them. The marina is closed right now, which is really preventing them from having their normal operations,” Minister Gibson related. “When you look around and see the kind of damage that they have, I think they estimate that they have four or five million dollars in total.”

Minister Gibson met a number of Bahamians who were working on the restoration and construction process, as well as being guided through work being done by a subcontractor, Jones Industrial Maintenance, by the company’s CEO Kristan Jones.

He noted that it appeared to him, the biggest challenge the property will have is getting the company that normally repairs the marina to schedule them in — considering that a number of marinas in The Bahamas and the Southeastern US seaboard where affected by Hurricane Matthew.

Minister Gibson also pointed out that a number of the homes were insured and that the adjustors had already viewed them. The ones that were not insured belonged to high-income owners who would probably address that issue personally, he noted.

When asked about government assistance being considered in the restoration effort, Minister Gibson quickly pointed out, “they are operating 100 percent independent of us.”

He added that some benefit has come to the employees with respect to restoration in that a number of high net worth persons, who own homes at Chub Cay, have already begun repairing accommodations of a number of the employees.

However, Minister Gibson’s thoughts were again on the residents of Lowe Sound, who cannot work on Chub Cay until the repairs and restorations are completed.

“Some of them are not able to work now because the resort is closed and, of course, for most them, they lost all of their belongings,” he said quietly.

Explorer Chartbooks, A SALTY SOUTHEAST 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: Gulfstream navigation
Gulfstream navigation
Posted: 27 Oct 2016 04:22 AM PDT
While not a navigation school, the Coconut Grove Sailing Club, in Coconut Grove Florida does offer informational sessions as we prepare for our annual “Adventure Rendezvous” which will be coming up in the spring of 2017. We generally have sessions that address Gulf Stream navigation, vessel preparation and safety, local knowledge – customs etc. In the past we have circumnavigated the Florida Keys, gone to Bimini, and the Abacos. For spring of 2017 we are considering the Exumas or Cuba. Please contact lauren simpson at manager@cgsc.org and ask to be put on our cruising and rendezvous email list for future invites to meetings.

Following Hurricane Matthew, it is so good to get more news from our friends in the Bahamas via Explorer Chartbooks – long the standard navigational supplement for enjoyable, informative, and safe cruising through the beautiful Bahamian waters and island visits – and we are delighted that they have survived Matthew. Explorer Chartbooks is A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET PARTNER!

Bahamas Chatter: Looking for a Navigation School
Looking for a Navigation School
Posted: 26 Oct 2016 04:22 AM PDT
I am looking for a school to learn basic navigation, especially reading charts, my goal is to get a boat and cross from Florida to the Bahamas Islands, starting with Bimini and eventually Grand Bahama and then Nassau.

If there a school that offers basic navigation, I don’t want to do all self studies, I have questions and need answers.

Following Hurricane Matthew, it is so good to get more news from our friends in the Bahamas via Explorer Chartbooks – long the standard navigational supplement for enjoyable, informative, and safe cruising through the beautiful Bahamian waters and island visits – and we are delighted that they have survived Matthew. Explorer Chartbooks is A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET PARTNER!

Bahamas Chatter: ABM reports most marinas open
ABM reports most marinas open
Posted: 25 Oct 2016 04:44 AM PDT
The 47 marina and allied members of the Association of Bahamas Marinas are open for business and are anticipating a busy winter season, almost all members having experienced no significant damage during the recent hurricane Matthew, according to ABM president Stephen Kappeler.

ABM members were reporting full restoration of power and water to their docks and resorts within a day or two of the hurricane, the small eye of which traveled over the Exumas, Nassau, Chub Cay and Grand Bahama Island. All the Exuma marinas including Highbourne Cay and The Marina at Emerald Bay (Sandals) reported no or slight damage with Safe Harbour at Cave Cay soon to repair two damaged docks and fully operational with other docks.

In Nassau and Paradise Island, all marinas escaped unscathed. In the harbour, Bay Street Marina and Nassau Yacht Haven reported no damage and are fully functional. Palm Cay on the southeast coast of New Providence only had a couple of channel markers misplaced while marinas at Lyford Cay and Albany were undamaged. Albany chose to close temporarily to cleanup foliage and make the luxury estate pristine.

In Grand Bahama, Old Bahama Bay & Yacht Harbour is open for business, waiting to be reconnected with power soon. Bradford Marine in Freeport Harbour is up and running with restored power for its dry dock, travel lift and all its repair services. Port Lucaya Marina is open for yachts, having reported a few vessels underwater while Grand Bahama Yacht Club’s clubhouse and docks are fine. On Friday October 21, power and internet returned to Port Lucaya Marina and the power company expects Grand Bahama Yacht Club to have power by Saturday. (From an article in thebahamasweekly.com)  

Our thanks to good friend, Greg Allard, for this report.

I’ve been in contact with the Bimini Sands Marina, which is on South Bimini. Jonisha at the marina advises that they had no damage, and they are fully operational. This is good news.

The early reports from West End, Port Lucaya and the Grand Bahama Yacht Club (all on Grand Bahama) indicate that they are not open; the amount of damage is unknown. Since those marinas, and their counterparts on Bimini are the
two main points of entry into the Bahamas for most cruisers, those heading to the Bahamas may find themselves relying on Bimini as their first port-of-call until the marinas on Grand Bahama reopen.
Greg Allard

Following Hurricane Matthew, it is so good to get news from our friends at Explorer Chartbooks – long the standard navigational supplement for enjoyable, informative, and safe cruising through the beautiful Bahamian waters and island visits – and we are delighted that they have survived Matthew. Explorer Chartbooks is A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET PARTNER!

Bahamas Chatter: “Ocean Reef Yacht Club…Grand Bahama” plus 2 more
Ocean Reef Yacht Club…Grand Bahama
Report from George Town, Exuma
Report from the Abacos

Following Hurricane Matthew, it is so good to get news from our friends at Explorer Chartbooks – long the standard navigational supplement for enjoyable, informative, and safe cruising through the beautiful Bahamian waters and island visits – and we are delighted that they have survived Matthew. Explorer Chartbooks is A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET PARTNER!

Bahamas Chatter: “From Homestead FL to Nassau Bahamas” plus 1 more
From Homestead FL to Nassau Bahamas
Posted: 09 Oct 2016 01:01 PM PDT
Hi Boaters;

On a 42 feet boat what is the best route from Homestead FL to Nassau Bahamas. This will be my first trip.

Bimini
Posted: 09 Oct 2016 05:13 AM PDT
Has anyone heard or been to Bimini and how it held up to the storm?…DenO

It is so good to get news from our friends at Explorer Chartbooks – long the standard navigational supplement for enjoyable, informative, and safe cruising through the beautiful Bahamian waters and island visits – and we are delighted that they have survived Matthew. Explorer Chartbooks is A SALTY SOUTHEAST CRUISERS’ NET PARTNER!

Bahamas Chatter: “Ocean Reef Yacht Club…Grand Bahama” plus 2 more
Ocean Reef Yacht Club…Grand Bahama
Posted: 07 Oct 2016 08:37 AM PDT
Has anyone heard how ORYC faired through the storm?..I believe they were on the east edge of the eye wall…DenO

Report from George Town, Exuma
Posted: 07 Oct 2016 06:48 AM PDT
Some boats at the houseboat dock in kids cove got a thorough thrashing. None sunk, but major upper hull and deck damage when lines parted and they were hitting each other.

Nine boats broke free in the hurricane holes. Three or four holed with damage and sunk.

Three in behind February point that will probably have to get cranes to plop them back in. Two more sank behind crab cay.

But no injuries down here that we know if either. The surge in the south wasn’t tooooo bad. Don’t know about Moss Town area, but it was probably 5-6 feet. Far far less than Lilly!

Report from the Abacos
Posted: 07 Oct 2016 06:45 AM PDT
All is fine on Abaco. She never lost the internet or power. The worst was this morning with tstorms. Gusting to 50 and lots of rain. About 3 to 4″. All cleared up now.