The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune.

I would appreciate it if you would publish this letter to Mr Richard Hardy, Director (Acting) of Lands and Surveys, in the hope that I shall get a reply to my question.

Dear Mr Hardy,

As per my Crown Land Lease agreement offered on the 7th January, 2020 by the Government of the Bahamas and accepted by Paradise Island Lighthouse & Beach Club Co. Ltd. on the 9th January, 2020 there are two parcels of Crown Land: Parcel A and Parcel B.

In our recent discussions with Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, they advised me that they have received a Crown Land Lease for seven acres of Crown Land from the Office of the Prime Minister, which seems rather peculiar and I would appreciate some clarity please.

Please see the “Survey Plan” attached as prepared by the “Surveyor General” Thomas Ferguson on the 1st March, 2020 provided to me by Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines today. As you can see, it states “Showing Two Parcels of Crown Land Labeled and totaling 5.00 acres”, which can be seen as Parcel A and Parcel B: the same parcels included in my Crown Land Lease. More disturbingly is the fact that it has highlighted in pink “7 acres to end of beach” which Royal Caribbean Cruise Line believe is now theirs. While this whole “Survey Plan” appears to be prepared by an amateur or perhaps a toddler, it raises more questions than it has answers.

As it relates to Paradise Island Lighthouse & Beach Club’s Crown Land Lease, can you please advise if this is in fact a valid “survey plan” and since this appears to push the seven acres marked in pink over my parcel B, is this correct?

How is the Government of the Bahamas negotiating Crown Land that is before the courts? Who is responsible in government for negotiating this? Can I kindly request that since this matter is before the Supreme Court and since my Crown Land appears to be included with RCL’s seven acres, could you please advise if RCL’s parcel includes any land that is in my Parcel A or B?

Also, since RCl’s application, I understand, is for seven acres and there’s approximately only five acres between my Parcel B and the private residential land, it would seem apparent that at least two of the seven acres would be from my Parcel B.

I sent and you acknowledge.

We’ll keep the light on for you.

TOBY SMITH

Lighthouse Keeper

Paradise Island Lighthouse & Beach Club Co. Ltd.

No1 Paradise Island, The Bahamas.

Nassau,

June 24, 2021.