boaters

Just hours before Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Investments and Aviation Chester Cooper announced that the government would review newly introduced cruising permit fees, backlash from boaters and marina operators was already playing out publicly across social media platforms.

Marinas and boat owners, many of whom frequent Bahamian waters annually, expressed frustration over the revised fee structure, with some warning they would take their vessels and tourism dollars elsewhere.

Several boaters said the increased fees were placing an added financial burden on visitors and negatively affecting marina traffic.

“Nothing that special about that place. They better chill out. It’ll be a deserted island before they know it,” wrote Jonathan Ferris.

Others echoed similar sentiments, linking the policy to broader economic consequences.

“It’s only hurting the locals. It sure isn’t hurting me. I’m not going there anymore,” said Juan Laywar.

Comparisons were also made to competing destinations in the region. Bryan Crabtree noted that neighbouring countries offer significantly lower cruising costs.

“Turks and Caicos charges $50 for a week or $300 for a 90-day permit,” Crabtree said. “For the amount of money it costs to go to the Bahamas, you can visit five to ten Caribbean islands. I have no plans to visit until these fees are reduced, or for at least a couple of years.”

Another boater, Michael Daley, summed up the sentiment bluntly: “They don’t want us there.”

However, not all responses opposed the government’s move. Some commenters defended the Bahamas’ right to set its own policies.

“Their country, their rules. If we don’t like them, it’s time not to be there,” said Ellie Smith.

Jason Vaffanculo added that foreign visitors should temper their expectations, stressing that the Bahamas is not obligated to cater to outside pressure.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Cooper acknowledged the fallout, attributing empty marinas and a reported 40 percent decline in boating traffic this year compared to 2024 to the recent fee increases.

In a statement issued Monday evening, Cooper said the government has heard the concerns raised by stakeholders within the boating sector.

“Our priority is to protect that reputation and ensure the economic prosperity of the Bahamians who depend on it,” Cooper said.

Why it matters

Marina operators, tour guides, service providers and small business owners, many in Abaco, Bimini and the Exumas have voiced concerns about the impact of the new regulatory framework.

Government officials say the review will examine the economic impact of the fees while balancing the need to protect national interests and sustain revenue from the maritime tourism sector.

The big story

In July, the government implemented a revised cruising permit fee structure, charging $500 for vessels under 50 feet, $1,000 for vessels between 50 and 100 feet, and $3,000 for vessels over 100 feet. Each permit is valid for up to 12 months.

A separate fee applies for the newly introduced Frequent Digital Cruising Card (FDCC), which costs $2,000 for pleasure craft and is valid for two years.

After rescue crews ended their search for two missing men from Bimini, family members are holding out hope they would be found alive and have offered a reward as they piece together the circumstances surrounding the men’s disappearance nearly two weeks ago.

The whereabouts of James Toote, 31, and Nazar Robins, 23, from Bimini, Bahamas are still a mystery after frantic searches led to a dead end. Toote, a fisherman routinely travels to Grand Bahama and took Robins with him expecting to return the next day in a vessel that he purchased.

Family members of the men only grew concerned when they did not arrive in Bimini, and alerted officials about the missing case.

Bahamas Air Sea Rescue Association and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force became involved, conducting searches, but to no avail.

“Basically, we searched and searched and searched all week, last week with planes, boats and helicopters. Basically, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force was the lead in the case, and yesterday (Sunday) we searched again and that was our last day. We gave it all just about a full week, two planes, three planes in the air at all times,” Eddie Whan, BASRA Chairman told the Tribune.

“We have done everything that we can possibly humanly do up until [Sunday].

“We have had negative results in all of the searches.”

Relatives have since offered a reward for information leading to the whereabouts of the men, asking for members of the public to help identify the previous operators of the boat before it was purchased.

“We need to backtrack and identify the last person to see them or hear their voices.

“If you know something, please say something. Our families are hurting,” Robin’s sister pleaded.

The men’s cell phones were reportedly last used in the West End area, and their vessel reportedly departed from Port Lucaya in Grand Bahama.

Robin’s mother, Renee Smith also pleaded for help locating the men, “Please! We need closure.

“I believe I will see Nazr again. Hoping and praying still,” she said.

Whitney Brice, the niece of Toote said while she awaits their return, the pain of not knowing is overwhelming.

“From Sunday to now, no word at all. Lord knows this is hurtful. Yes, I trust you Lord but the process is rough.”

Early in the investigation, rumours circulated that the men were arrested in Florida, but the families quickly shot down the speculations.

“The rumours may not be true but someone knows what happened and we will wait for that story,” Robin’s sister said.

More than a week since their disappearance on the high seas, sister Themeia Sands is anxiously awaiting her brothers’ return, who traveled in a boat from Bimini to their purported next stop, Andros.

Themeia took to social media asking for assistance in finding the men, Christopher Mackey and Jerone Sands, showing the bright yellow and white boat they were last seen in.

Mackey, 51, worked at the Water and Sewage Corporation and Sands, 44, was a carpenter and a boat engine repair man, travelling from Nassau to Florida to pick up a boat, purchased by a buyer in the capital.

Family members in Bimini said the men stopped by on their way to Andros, but experienced a problem with the boat’s engine and the hull. And were admonished to take a plane from Bimini but the men opted to continue their journey to Andros, after making the necessary repairs to the vessel.

The brothers left Bimini on Monday 22nd after 3 pm but never reached Andros according to a family member who stood on the dock awaiting their arrival until 2 am.

Since then, the family has been worried, praying the pair will soon call to say they are in good physical shape.

Themeia said, “This is alarming and strange that were funding the sea and aircraft in an effort to find them and bring them home safely. Nothing was spotted. Someone saw or know something.”

The sister, while on social media, agitated for the Royal Bahamas Police force to produce a missing person flyer for the men, calling officers “laid back” in the attempt to help find her brothers.

On Wednesday afternoon, authorities issued the flyer asking for the public’s assistance in finding the men.

If you see Mackey or Sands, call the police at 911 or 502-9991. Family members are also asking the boaters to be on the lookout for the pair.