Chatter

The northern formerly dredged channel, marked with buoys, is unreliable. The sand shoal on Henry Bank continues to be fluid.

If your vessel has any draft at all, you are best to use the Old Channel to the south where the range used to be. There are no markers remaining.

Explorer Charts BIM 1 (small-scale) in the Near Bahamas Chartbook, 12th edition, has changed several courses leading to the South Bimini waypoint. See screenshot. VPR required as you approach. 

Senior Chief Tom’s advice on crossing the Gulf Stream:

1. Have access to current weather: internet(cell phone or hot spot) satellite (iridium go), winlink hf grib / Computer, Sirius wx via chart plotter. Time frontal passages and do not go if the wind is anywhere out of the north.

2. Plan on waiting on a weather window on BOTH SIDES of the stream.

3. Do not go on a schedule.

4. Buddy boat if possible.

5. Carry an EPIRB