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WHILE UNDERWAY

Maintain a Steady Speed – Once we determine what our cruising speed for the trip will be, look at your tachometer and maintain those RPM’s throughout the trip. Do NOT try to keep a steady speed over ground (SOG) because that will vary depending on wind, tide, Gulf Stream, and water salinity. Please, out of courtesy to those behind you, determine your RPM and stick with it.

Maintain Radio Contact – Keep your radio turned on and the volume turned up. We will monitor channel 72 for the entire cruise. The trip leader will routinely check on boats to see how you are doing. If the trip leader does not get a response, he will slow the whole group down to visually check on that boat. Also, if you are encountering any problem (speed, engine problems, questions) while running, please let the lead boat know.

Monitor Radio Use – Radio chatter is fine and definitely makes the trip more fun. However, please be aware that the Coast Guard is listening to the radio and issues that are over legalities should really be approached gently. For example, discussions of fuel spills and entry/re-entry issues should not be discussed over the radio – unless, of course, you enjoy being boarded by the Coast Guard!

Slowing Down and Speeding Up – We are a large group of large boats, and it will be necessary to slow down quite often so as not to wake boats and properties. If this is not done efficiently, the group will get severely fragmented. The lead boat will announce when she is slowing down over the VHF. When slowing down be sure to close the gap (if any) to the boat ahead of you before slowing down. The lead boat will announce when she is starting back up on the VHF. Once the announcement is made, everyone should give his or her boat the throttle at the same time. Everyone needs to stay on plane until you reach the slow down point – slow down at that point and pick it up as soon thereafter as possible.

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ARRIVAL AT MARINAS

Fueling Up – Upon most of our arrivals we will be fueling in preparation for the next leg of the journey. It is usually easier to fuel upon arrival so you do not have to untie and unhook your electric later to get fuel.

Radio Contact – Upon arrival at a marina, the lead boat will contact the dock master and either switch him to our working channel or we will switch the whole group to the marina’s working channel. At that time, the dock master will call each boat and assign a slip over the radio. Please pay attention and answer the dock master when he contacts you. Be aware that the Bahamian accent is difficult to understand at times, so do not be embarrassed to ask them to repeat the docking assignment.

Flying Quarantine Flag – Once we are a few miles offshore of the Bahamas, we will slow to an idle and install the Yellow Quarantine flags. The Quarantine flag should be flown on a high point of the starboard side of the boat. You may purchase at West Marine, or online. CUSTOMS

Captain's Duty – Your Captain will be the only person allowed off the boat until everyone aboard clears customs.

Clearing Customs – Please be sure all paperwork is completed before going to the customs office.

Wear shorts and a shirt (no bathing suits) and remove your sunglasses while talking to the officials.

The $150.00 fee for 30’ and under and the $300.00 fee for 30’ and up must be paid in CASH. This fee covers four people or less, cruising permit, fishing permit, Customs & Immigration charges and the $15.00 Departure Tax. Each additional person above four will be charged $15.00 Departure Tax. Customs and Immigration will come to your vessel. Everyone on board must have proof of citizenship and fill out an immigration card. US citizens must present a Passport. A driver’s license is not acceptable. You will not receive the immigration card until you arrive at Customs.

Useful Information

ARRIVAL AT MARINAS

Flying the Bahamian Flag – Once the Captain of your boat has cleared customs, you will remove the yellow Quarantine flag and replace it with the Bahamian Courtesy flag. Please be sure you fly the flag right side up so as not to insult the Bahamians. The blue square goes in the upper left corner. Before leaving The Bahamas, be sure to surrender your copy of the immigration card at the last Bahamian port you visit.

Weapons – If you have a firearm on board, you must declare it with Customs (Use Form C17). You must provide the serial number and manufacturer, plus an exact count of ammunition. Though you are allowed to have a firearm on your boat, you cannot take it off the boat unless you obtain a permit from the Bahamian police ahead of time. Weapons must be under lock and key at all times. Any infraction of this law is dealt with severely.

Pets – You may bring your pet into The Bahamas, but you need to make preparations before your departure. An import permit is required from the Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources

(Nassau) for all animals being brought onto any island. The permit is valid for one year from the date of issue. Applications for such permits, stating the kind of animal, breed, age, sex and country of embarkation (along with a $10 processing fee), must be made in writing. You may expedite the process by calling (242) 325-7413/7509 or faxing (242) 325-3960. There is no fee for service dogs, e.g. seeing-eye dogs. In addition, you will need a health certificate for your pet from your veterinarian to present to the Customs officials when you clear.

The Bahamas Humane Society is open Monday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Telephone: (242) 325-6742. Emergency after-hours Telephone: (242) 323-5138.

 Required Forms

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ITEMS TO REMEMBER

1. Passport, Driver’s License (All boaters must have current US Passports. Passports take 4-6 weeks to process. $50 fee for rush orders.) 2. Boat registration, documentation, and insurance phone numbers. 3. Cash and Credit Cards — Many places in the Bahamas do not accept American Express. Make sure you also take a Visa or MasterCard. Bring plenty of cash with you for tipping purposes. Tipping will get you a long way in the Bahamas! 4. Any medical records in the event of an emergency. Copies of all drug prescriptions for medications you and your guests have on board. 5. Emergency contact numbers. 6. Check with your cell service on the best way to communicate and international plans. 7. 2nd VHF radio. If you have a hand-held VHF you can use it to monitor channel 16 while traveling. 8. Yellow Quarantine flag, Bahamas courtesy flag, zip ties. All can be purchased through the parts department at MarineMax. 9. Boat cleaning supplies. 10. Favorite movies and books.

Don't Over Pack – The Bahamas is a very casual place — even the nice places. You will not need to bring any clothes other than shorts, shirts, bathing suits and summer dresses. Dinner at Chub Cay can be somewhat upscale, as well Valentines. WHAT NOT TO BRING

Excessive Food – The Bahamas does have grocery stores. The stores may not be of Publix quality or have low prices, but they do exist. And, for the most part, they are pretty well stocked with food, milk, water, vegetables, coffee and anything else you might need. Instead of jamming your refrigerator full of food and packing your second head full of dry ice to create a frozen meat locker (someone actually did this one year!), just bring a moderate amount of food and be prepared to make a few store runs on the trip. That said, when we leave Nassau, we will be on our own for two or three days so plan accordingly!