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    • Good News About Caribbean Crime, Except in Panama – Loose Cannon

      Cruisers Net publishes Loose Cannon articles with Captain Swanson’s permission in hopes that mariners with saltwater in their veins will subscribe. $7 per month or $56 for the year; you may cancel at any time.

       
       
       

         
       
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      Good News About Caribbean Crime, Except in Panama

      Harsher Penalities for Outboard Theft

       
       
       
       
       

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      This is a view of the Caribbean Safety and Security Net’s interactive crime reporting feature on its website.

      Caribbean crime reports declined last year, but suddenly Panama emerged as a hotspot for theft in its anchorages, according to the Caribbean Safety & Security Net.

      In its recently released report for 2025, the crime reporting organization also noted that incidents in the British Virgin Islands appear to have declined dramatically. And violent crime in general dropped slightly, down to seven reports from eight in 2024.

      From the CSSN summary:

      In 2025, reported incidents of crimes against yachts in the Caribbean totaled 124, a 14 percent decrease from the record high of 145 incidents reported in 2024. This moderation follows a year of unprecedented activity and signals a return toward the five-year average of 119 incidents. Violent crimes continued their encouraging decline, falling to seven incidents (from eight in 2024).

      Geographic concentration was a defining characteristic of 2025. On a positive note, the British Virgin Islands (BVI) saw a dramatic decline from 20 incidents to four.

      Offsetting this improvement, Panama emerged as the most active country in the region, with all-time region-wide record high activity of 33 reports, a 200 percent increase from 11 in 2024. Activity in Panama was concentrated in the Bocas del Toro archipelago, and the Linton Bay area.

      Activity in French Saint Martin increased modestly (from 13 to 15 incidents), remaining elevated; however, the nature of the activity shifted. St. Vincent and the Grenadines trended upward (from seven to 12 incidents) as cruising patterns normalized during the continued recovery from Hurricane Beryl.

      In July 2025, three West Indian men received long sentences in connection with the murder of an American couple the year before, one of the most heinous crimes against foreign cruisers in recent memory. Ralph Hendry and Kathy Brandel of Fairfax, Virginia, were killed after the trio boarded their catamaran off Grand Anse Beach on Grenada in February 2024.

       

      Long Sentences for Their Killers

       
      ·
       
      August 1, 2025
      Read full story
         

      Panama’s government last year recognized the problem of outboard motor theft when it instituted harsher penalties for the crime. The penal code was amended to impose a prison sentence of six to eight years for the stealing motors valued over $250. The penalty also applies to those who anyone who deals in stolen motors.

      The Bocas Del Toro cruisers page on Facebook contains the same type of advice heard through out the Lesser Antilles about securing dinghies and outboards at night and not leaving valuable items on deck.

      If you area foreign cruiser in Panama waters, and you have some insight on the problem, please leave a comment below.

      LOOSE CANNON covers hard news, technical issues and nautical history. Every so often he tries to be funny. Subscribe for free to support the work. If you’ve been reading for a while—and you like it—consider upgrading to paid.

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    • Cruiser Appreciation Day – TODAY, Fort Myers Beach, FL


      The Town of Fort Myers Beach proudly operates and maintains the Matanzas Harbor Municipal Mooring Field. The field boasts 70 mooring balls available for public rental year-round, and accommodates vessels up to 48 feet in length. The mooring field is located east of the Sky Bridge between San Carlos and Estero Islands in Matanzas Pass. For recreational cruisers, the Fort Myers Beach Mooring Field is a wonderful destination. Coming ashore at the Town’s dinghy dock puts boaters in walking distance to beaches, restaurants, shopping, nightlife, and public transportation. Mooring ball rental fees are $13/day or $260/month. All renters MUST register with Matanzas Inn upon arrival. The dinghy dock is available for public use to tie up dinghies 10’ or less (no overnight tie-ups). The dock is located beneath the Sky Bridge between Matanzas Inn Restaurant and the public fishing pier.

      Few Floridian communities are as welcoming to the cruising community as CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, Fort Myers Beach! This is a town that knows how to treat cruisers. 

      Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers Net Anchorage Directory Listing For the Fort Myers Beach Mooring Field

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Fort Myers Beach Mooring Field

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    • Just when you thought it was safe to … explore fishing on film – Coastal Review

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    • Cruiser Appreciation Day – TOMORROW, Fort Myers Beach, FL


      The Town of Fort Myers Beach proudly operates and maintains the Matanzas Harbor Municipal Mooring Field. The field boasts 70 mooring balls available for public rental year-round, and accommodates vessels up to 48 feet in length. The mooring field is located east of the Sky Bridge between San Carlos and Estero Islands in Matanzas Pass. For recreational cruisers, the Fort Myers Beach Mooring Field is a wonderful destination. Coming ashore at the Town’s dinghy dock puts boaters in walking distance to beaches, restaurants, shopping, nightlife, and public transportation. Mooring ball rental fees are $13/day or $260/month. All renters MUST register with Matanzas Inn upon arrival. The dinghy dock is available for public use to tie up dinghies 10’ or less (no overnight tie-ups). The dock is located beneath the Sky Bridge between Matanzas Inn Restaurant and the public fishing pier.

      Few Floridian communities are as welcoming to the cruising community as CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, Fort Myers Beach! This is a town that knows how to treat cruisers. 

      Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers Net Anchorage Directory Listing For the Fort Myers Beach Mooring Field

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window, Zoomed To the Location of the Fort Myers Beach Mooring Field

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    • Cruisers’ Net Weekly Newsletter – April 10, 2026

      Cruisers’ Net Newsletter for this week has just been emailed via Constant Contact.
       
      If you want to view the newsletter but are not signed up to receive them automatically, you can view it at https://conta.cc/4dF14pI or see it below.
       
      To automatically receive our emailed Fri Weekly Newsletter and Wed Fuel Report, click:

       


      Newsletter icons created by Freepik – Flaticon

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    • Fishermen’s Village April 2026 Calendars, Punta Gorda, FL


      Fisherman's Village Marina and Resort, Punta Gorda, FL

      There is always plenty to do around Charlotte Harbor. While berthed at Fishermen’s Village Marina, A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, you are certain to enjoy visiting Western Florida’s beautiful Charlotte Harbor/Peace River.

      Fishermen’s Village APRIL Calendars of Entertainment/Events

      April 2026 Sunset Beach Club Calendar  April 2026 Fisherman’s Village Calendar

      Kathy Burnam
      Special Events & Community Relations

      941.639.8721

      kburnam@fishermensvillage.com

      www.fishermensvillage.com

      Click Here To View the Western Florida Cruisers Net Marina Directory Listing For Fishermen’s Village

      Click Here To Open A Chart View Window Zoomed To the Location of Fishermen’s Village

       

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    • Bahamas – New Fee Structure as of April 1, 2026:


      Beginning April 1 there is a new fee structure for the Bahamas.

       
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      New Fee Structure as of April 1, 2026:

       

      Temporary Cruising Permits for Pleasure Vessels

      Regulation 91 of the principal Regulation is amended in the new bill, with changes to temporary cruising permit fees. The fees for pleasure vessels are as follows:

      Up to 30 days

      • Not exceeding 30 feet in length – $150

      • For vessels 31- 50 feet in length – $250.

      • For vessels 51 to 100 feet in length – $350.

      • For vessels over 100 feet in length – $600.

      • Vessels on a 30 cruising permit are NOT entitled to a free reentry. 

      Up to 6 months

      • Not exceeding 50 feet in length – $300

      • For vessels 51 to 100 feet in length – $750.

      • For vessels over 100 feet in length – $2,000.

      • Vessels on a 6 month cruising permit are entitled to ONE free reentry within the duration of the permit. 

      Up to 12 months

      • Not exceeding 50 feet in length – $500

      • For vessels 51 to 100 feet in length – $1,000.

      • For vessels over 100 feet in length – $3,000.

      • Vessels on a 12 month cruising permit are entitled to TWO free reentries within the duration of the permit. 

      These fees cover:

      • Cruising permit under regulation 90(a)

      • Attendance fees by a customs officer for attendance and travel expenses

      • Overtime and travel expenses in respect of the attendance of an immigration officer.

      • Entrance into The Bahamas twice within a 30 day period.

      These fees will not apply for ancillary equipment being towed or on board a pleasure vessel, excluding tenders exceeding 25 feet in length. The fee for a tender vessel exceeding 25 feet will be $500 for a period not exceeding 12 months. When a pleasure vessel carries more than three passengers, every additional passenger of or above the age of six and who is not an ordinary resident of the Bahamas will be subjected to a tax of $30.

       

      Anchorage Fees

      Anchorage fees for foreign vessels, not mooring at a marina, have been amended in a new regulation 91B.

      Up to 30 days

      • Not exceeding 30 feet in length – $50

      • For vessels 31 to 100 feet in length – $100.

      • For vessels over 100 feet in length – $200.

      Up to 6 months

      • Not exceeding 50 feet in length – $150

      • For vessels 51 to 100 feet in length – $350.

      • For vessels over 100 feet in length – $1,000.

      Up to 12 months

      • Not exceeding 50 feet in length – $200

      • For vessels 51 to 100 feet in length – $350.

      • For vessels over 100 feet in length – $1,500.

      On the FDCC Permit

      • Not exceeding 50 feet in length – $200

      • For vessels 51 to 100 feet in length – $350.

      • For vessels over 100 feet in length – $1,500.

      • Anchorage fees are valid for two years. 

      Frequent Digital Cruising Card for Pleasure Vessels (FDCC)

      Frequent Digital Cruising Card (FDCC) are available allowing unlimited visits for up to two years. 

      • For vessels under 50 feet in length – $1,500.

      • For vessels 50 to 99 feet in length – $2,500.

      • For vessels over 100 feet in length – $8,000.

      These fees do NOT cover

      • Attendance fees by a customs officer for attendance and travel expenses

      • Overtime and travel expenses in respect of the attendance of an immigration officer.

      Temporary Fishing Permits for Pleasure Vessels (no changes)

      Fishing Permits are no longer included in the Cruising Permit fee. Foreign pleasure vessel fishing permits fees:

      • For vessels under 50 feet in length – $100.

      • For vessels 50 feet in length and over – $300.

      Fishing permits are only valid for 30 days, even if you possess a 12-month cruising permit. It is necessary to renew fishing permits every 30 days.

      Useful links

      Pleasure Vessels (Digital Submission Process from Bahamas Customs)  

      Click to Clear

      Cruising Permit Details

      The Association of Bahamas Marinas will continue to monitor any and all changes to the boating and fishing regulations and will send updates once any modifications are confirmed.

      Click here to download a free 2026 high-res digital ABM Bahamas Boating Map!
       
      Website    About Us    Resources    Maps / Chart
       

      For more info on the ABM contact Raymond Francis

      execdirector@bahamasmarinas.com

      Be sure to to follow the ABM on our Social Media Channels:

       
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      Association of Bahamas Marinas | Covering all of The Bahamas | Nassau, 242 BS

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    • Good News – Airside Remediations at Staniel Cay

       Welcome to the Staniel Cay Yacht Club, your own paradise in the middle of the beautiful Exumas.

      staniel

      Makers Air and Staniel Cay Yacht Club,  A CRUISERS NET SPONSOR, offer convenient flights to the Bahamas.

       

       

      Yesterday the Government of The Bahamas executed two contracts for the construction of two airport projects: a terminal and airside works at Farmer’s Cay and also airside remediations at Staniel Cay.

      Through initiatives like these, we continue to develop infrastructure, drive growth, enhance the quality of life, and unlock economic potential that supports a thriving economy and brighter future for all Bahamians.

      Since the launch of the historic Family Islands Renaissance Project, over 14 airports have been completed or are under active construction, with more to come.

      The affirms that all islands deserve the best airport infrastructure. Our Aviation and Airports Project Partners are working HARD to deliver results one island at a time! 🙏🏾🇧🇸✈️

       

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    • Through Saturday – National Park Service Advises Caution on East-Facing Beaches – Coastal Review

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