For anyone who has made the trip recently - I've got a couple of questions. Did you purchase the Annual Use Fee Decal from US Customs? Did this eliminate physically checking in upon return to US waters - does a phone call suffice? And second question, I read that an FCC Radio License is a must have in the Bahamas. Hadn't heard that before. I don't currently have one and am trying to figure out if this is another of those "things they don't really enforce"! Your insights would be most appreciated!
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J.Hrab
Bahamas requirement.
We just returned from the Bahamas (April) We have a US registered boat: I did not have a Annual Use Fee Decal, check page 34, The Waterway Guide: Southern 2003, volume 56.On my return (Lake Worth)I called 1-800-451-0373 (alternate is: 651 844-1703), by cell phone from the boat and received an clearance number. I talked to several officials, some of them mentionned that a Annual Use Fee Decal was phased out, some of them said, not yet; one of them did not know what I was talking about; one of them came flat out said: forget it. (I spent quite a few hours on the phone) We came in Lake Worth Inlet and the custom office is behind Peanut Island. A permit to operate a VHF is necessary anywhere: an SSB is an option (I will have one for my next trip)Nobody asked for my permits ! I was told just lately that the Bahamas are expecting to charge $300.00 PER VISIT (not a permit for 6 or 12 months with unlimited entries), has anyone heard about this ? Sincerely, John
We just returned from the Bahamas (April) We have a US registered boat: I did not have a Annual Use Fee Decal, check page 34, The Waterway Guide: Southern 2003, volume 56.On my return (Lake Worth)I called 1-800-451-0373 (alternate is: 651 844-1703), by cell phone from the boat and received an clearance number. I talked to several officials, some of them mentionned that a Annual Use Fee Decal was phased out, some of them said, not yet; one of them did not know what I was talking about; one of them came flat out said: forget it. (I spent quite a few hours on the phone) We came in Lake Worth Inlet and the custom office is behind Peanut Island. A permit to operate a VHF is necessary anywhere: an SSB is an option (I will have one for my next trip)Nobody asked for my permits ! I was told just lately that the Bahamas are expecting to charge $300.00 PER VISIT (not a permit for 6 or 12 months with unlimited entries), has anyone heard about this ? Sincerely, John
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Terry S/V Joie de Vie
a regular Bahamas visitor speaks
We spent 3 weeks in the Abacos in July. the current fee to enter the Bahamas is a whopping $300 this is a per visit fee, stay up to 6 months but once you leave with your boat the fee to visit again is $300. VHF license has never been checked in 18 years, Bahamas or otherwise. We have a $25 US customs user decal and upon returning to our home port call the 800 number to clear customs. They always ask for our decal # and they have all of the records on file for our boat and past trips so it makes clearance fast and easy. HOWEVER!!! now when you have your customs clearance # they tell you that you and your entire party MUST report the nearest Immigration office and check in within 24 hours or face fines and possibly forfiture of your vessel. They arn't fooling around, the story goes(from the customs guy) that they confiscated a couple boats in fort pierce in july. The bahamas is a great place to sail but the cost and hassel on both sides of the gulf stream is getting out of hand.
We spent 3 weeks in the Abacos in July. the current fee to enter the Bahamas is a whopping $300 this is a per visit fee, stay up to 6 months but once you leave with your boat the fee to visit again is $300. VHF license has never been checked in 18 years, Bahamas or otherwise. We have a $25 US customs user decal and upon returning to our home port call the 800 number to clear customs. They always ask for our decal # and they have all of the records on file for our boat and past trips so it makes clearance fast and easy. HOWEVER!!! now when you have your customs clearance # they tell you that you and your entire party MUST report the nearest Immigration office and check in within 24 hours or face fines and possibly forfiture of your vessel. They arn't fooling around, the story goes(from the customs guy) that they confiscated a couple boats in fort pierce in july. The bahamas is a great place to sail but the cost and hassel on both sides of the gulf stream is getting out of hand.
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J. Deily
Regarding your questions
As the the Annual Use Fee decal, yes I purchased one two years ago and renewed it in place. It does not eliminate physical inspection of the vessel on the return to the states. I have never heard of the FCC license requirement. P.S. I am local to you in Delmar N.Y. Call me and we can discuss the Bahamas. The Velero has now been there for three years. I have lots on information I can share. 518-439-6699 evenings
As the the Annual Use Fee decal, yes I purchased one two years ago and renewed it in place. It does not eliminate physical inspection of the vessel on the return to the states. I have never heard of the FCC license requirement. P.S. I am local to you in Delmar N.Y. Call me and we can discuss the Bahamas. The Velero has now been there for three years. I have lots on information I can share. 518-439-6699 evenings
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Debra B
Gotta get Cuba OK'd
Write your reps! If Cuba openned up as an alternative route to the Virgin Islands and Beyond, Bahamas might have to rethink 300 per visit.
Write your reps! If Cuba openned up as an alternative route to the Virgin Islands and Beyond, Bahamas might have to rethink 300 per visit.
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Del Wiese
our experience
We were in the Bahamas in May, before the jump to $300. I understand it is $150 for boats 35 feet and below. We cleared at Port Canaveral on a Sunday, were told to continue on home and call on Monday. We called and were given a clearance number, no mention of clearing INS. I think different ports have different rules, at least different interpretations of the rules. We were asked for our decal number.
We were in the Bahamas in May, before the jump to $300. I understand it is $150 for boats 35 feet and below. We cleared at Port Canaveral on a Sunday, were told to continue on home and call on Monday. We called and were given a clearance number, no mention of clearing INS. I think different ports have different rules, at least different interpretations of the rules. We were asked for our decal number.
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Les Murray
VHF License not an FCC requirement
The need for a license for your VHF is not a FCC requirements, but rather may be a requirement of the country you are visiting. The FCC has waived licensing requirements for VHFs operating in a ship-to-ship mode. Shore-based VHF transmitters must still be licensed. Les Murray s/v Ceilidh '86 C-36 #560
The need for a license for your VHF is not a FCC requirements, but rather may be a requirement of the country you are visiting. The FCC has waived licensing requirements for VHFs operating in a ship-to-ship mode. Shore-based VHF transmitters must still be licensed. Les Murray s/v Ceilidh '86 C-36 #560
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dan
last month
BoatUS had an article about the changes involved cruising to the Bahamas. It was my understanding that the $300 was good for a year and included up to 4 people per boat. further because of 9/11 you are required to physically check in when returning to the US. might want to pick up a copy and check it out.
BoatUS had an article about the changes involved cruising to the Bahamas. It was my understanding that the $300 was good for a year and included up to 4 people per boat. further because of 9/11 you are required to physically check in when returning to the US. might want to pick up a copy and check it out.
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Paul Bednarzyk
VHF Radios
Rob, last I looked, an FCC license was not required unless you are operating a land based station, operating out of US territorial waters, or a commercial vessel. So, yes, technically you should have an FCC license to operate the radio in the Bahamas, or Canada or Mexico for that matter. Having said that, I have never been asked to produce`a license. If you do opt to persue a license, include all the electronocs you MIGHT want, such as SSB, EPIRB, etc. Doesn't cost anymore up front but to add on later will cost extra money. Paul Bednarzyk S/V Knot Again
Rob, last I looked, an FCC license was not required unless you are operating a land based station, operating out of US territorial waters, or a commercial vessel. So, yes, technically you should have an FCC license to operate the radio in the Bahamas, or Canada or Mexico for that matter. Having said that, I have never been asked to produce`a license. If you do opt to persue a license, include all the electronocs you MIGHT want, such as SSB, EPIRB, etc. Doesn't cost anymore up front but to add on later will cost extra money. Paul Bednarzyk S/V Knot Again
Web site
Rob For Your Info trailing dialogue is email I sent Fri 9/12/2003 to a friend making plans to go to the Bahamas. Check out the link for up to date info: FYI- An On-Line Cruising Guide for the Keys & Cuba along with a link to Click on the link below and check out the info Summer 2003 The Bahamian Ministry of Tourism has just instituted OUTRAGEOUS fees for boaters clearing in to the Bahamas. We recommend that you Boycott the Bahamas entirely, by Air and by Sea, until this is corrected. ($300 for boats over 35' and $150 for boats under 35'). We have already written the Ministry of Tourism and all US Bahamas tourism Offices. Click on the link above to put in your 2 cents worth. http://www.bootkeyharbor.com/Bahamas.htm Reply from Friend: Yes, I was aware and had previously called to air my displeasure since we are thinking of going there next year. They said they are reviewing their current policy. They gave my a bunch of other double talk, but bottom line they are hurting from this decision and will likely back off some. The fee used to be $100. I intend to go someday. let us know how your trip was if you go? Good Luck Jim
Rob For Your Info trailing dialogue is email I sent Fri 9/12/2003 to a friend making plans to go to the Bahamas. Check out the link for up to date info: FYI- An On-Line Cruising Guide for the Keys & Cuba along with a link to Click on the link below and check out the info Summer 2003 The Bahamian Ministry of Tourism has just instituted OUTRAGEOUS fees for boaters clearing in to the Bahamas. We recommend that you Boycott the Bahamas entirely, by Air and by Sea, until this is corrected. ($300 for boats over 35' and $150 for boats under 35'). We have already written the Ministry of Tourism and all US Bahamas tourism Offices. Click on the link above to put in your 2 cents worth. http://www.bootkeyharbor.com/Bahamas.htm Reply from Friend: Yes, I was aware and had previously called to air my displeasure since we are thinking of going there next year. They said they are reviewing their current policy. They gave my a bunch of other double talk, but bottom line they are hurting from this decision and will likely back off some. The fee used to be $100. I intend to go someday. let us know how your trip was if you go? Good Luck Jim
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