SVNeverLand 10 years, 2 months ago on Trust chief: Anchorage fees must be nationwide
Trust chief: Anchorage fees must be nationwide
What an insulting little pompous ass. Im with you Wally, straight to Cuba, at least they are warm and welcoming, even if they do want the same thing, our money. But hey, thats why we're there for, to spend money. Might not be the thousands the big boys throw around, but it will be appreciated.
skipgundlach 10 years, 1 month ago on Trust chief: Anchorage fees must be nationwide
Trust chief: Anchorage fees must be nationwide
I've been to the national park, and very much enjoyed myself there.
However, I anchored out in a vast area with nearly no boats. The mooring balls were full.
In areas with safe, effective mooring balls, there are always those who will gladly pay for them. If there are viable alternatives (such as the area we were anchored in), I see nothing wrong with mooring balls.
However, the approach isn't one designed to win friends among the cruising community. There are now many moorings in Elizabeth Harbour - but none of them are rated for anything most folks using a mooring are interested in - protection from a blow which would threaten an anchored boat.
Put in all the moorings you want, but don't limit the ability to anchor out. You'll find takers if they are reasonably priced, safe and secure. If you make it such that the only ones who can come and spend their money in your area are those who can ALSO afford a mooring ball you will limit the number who can come by more than just the number of balls installed - which in itself is self-limiting.
I know of many cruisers who are effective fishermen - but they STILL participate in shoreside spending.
Most of the cruisers do not fish at all, and some of the rest are only the most occasional fisherfolk. As one on a very limited budget (requiring, now that relatives have stripped my retirement funds, with no visible prospect of repayment, working some months of the year - in the US, as I'm not allowed to contribute to your economy other than to pay people for goods and services there), I still get all my food, gasoline and diesel fuel, propane, repair parts, services etc., there, purchased from your businesses, while in your wonderful waters. I believe I represent the bulk of cruisers to your country.
When I learned of the proposed increase in entry fees, I actively considered passing by. Now that it has been reversed, I was still planning on coming next year (we do our visiting in the warmer months, unlike most other cruisers). But I can tell you categorically that we cannot afford mooring fees, whether daily, monthly, or multi-month discounted rates. We would have to give it a pass.
Likewise, we are not alone, and, I believe, represent a significant portion of the cruising community in financial terms.
l eagerly await movement on this subject, as it is a critical step in the decision of whether to continue to support the Bahamian economy...
SVNeverLand 10 years, 1 month ago on Trust chief: Anchorage fees must be nationwide
Trust chief: Anchorage fees must be nationwide
Somebody got their butt chewed.
ThisIsOurs 10 years, 1 month ago on Trust chief: Anchorage fees must be nationwide
Trust chief: Anchorage fees must be nationwide
Interesting. Change is hard and diplomacy is a skill.
BayBreeze 10 years, 1 month ago on Trust chief: Anchorage fees must be nationwide
Trust chief: Anchorage fees must be nationwide
Perhaps the comments were ill-advised and hurtful to good boaters and cruisers. I would hope folks who are upset with Mr. Carey's comments consider that there are bad boaters and outright pirates exploiting Bahamian resources with no economic benefit to the economy of the Bahamas and no respect for the marine environment. Day trippers and weekend cruisers may not be the problem in the Exumas, but Bimini, Cal Sal, and Bahama Banks are looted by folks who do not pay fees, clear customs, or spend a dime in The Bahamas. This is a link to a story about this kind of exploitation exposed, not by the Defense Force, US Customs and Immigration, or The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, but by a Sheriff on a spot safety check:
http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/news/…
Given the importance of all tourism, It is obvious why The Bahamas does not want to crack down on those who illegally exploit resources and disrespect the sovereignty of the nation. Perhaps the words were ill advised, but good cruisers who obey the law, respect the environment, support the economy and contribute their time should know that there are bad players who taint the boating community with their imprudent actions. To those moochers, I concur with Mr. Carey's original sentiment - the Bahamas is better off with out them!
SVNeverLand 10 years, 1 month ago on Trust chief: Anchorage fees must be nationwide
Trust chief: Anchorage fees must be nationwide
I accept his apology and we are still planning on heading there next winter.
TroppiK 10 years, 2 months ago on Trust chief: Anchorage fees must be nationwide
Trust chief: Anchorage fees must be nationwide
The Bahamas are under no obligation to welcome outside sailors or their money (so stop acting like you are supposed to be welcomed somewhere); however, if the government continues to collect more fees, it is at the expense of the Bahamian people who own the businesses where the money would go otherwise. Of course, this looks a lot like the rest of the marine industry where those with the megayachts (aka cash cows) are more than welcome and us regular people with limited budgets are not.