Chatter

Bahamas Election Day

Results of the election in the Bahamas;

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/5/13/philip-davis-and-progressive-liberal-party-win-general-election-in-bahamas

www.bahamasmarinas.com

Boating flings are the Bahamian equivalent of a road trip. A lead boat pilots the way for a caravan of boaters across the Gulf Stream to The Bahamas.

BAHAMAS BOATING FLINGS

The Bahamas Boating Flings are like road trips but with lots and lots of water…and boats. A lead boat breaks the waves for the caravan of participants and a sweep at the rear of the flotilla ensures that no one gets left behind. Time on island is unstructured to allow freedom to fish, dive, explore or laze in the sun as preferred.

·       June 4-7 – Grand Bahama Island at Grand Bahama Yacht Club

BAHAMAS INTER-ISLAND FERRIES

It's easier than it used to be to get from one island to another or to bring guests in to where you are. Consider using an inter-island ferry for convenience. Here are some options:

NEAR BAHAMAS

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