Another Bahamas COVID Update

Unfortunately there is no one set of symptoms. It hits different people differently. Seems it mutates extremely well.

First day felt extremely tired and like I was catching something. Second day I had a terrible cough but with no phlegm or nasal blockage that night started a fever and within 2 hours it went to 103.5 degrees......took lots of tylenol cold/flu and a cold bath, felt miserable, next morning fever still 101.5, went to doctor who prescribed prednisone (steroid) and Z-pack (zythromax), I was sick as a dog for 2 weeks and it took 6 weeks for the occasional cough to go away.

We crossed back into the US Sunday, from Bimini. Cleared out at Bimini customs with no problems on Saturday afternoon. They had no idea of what the current rules were, and were following the previous rules regarding travel on private boats with a 10 day negative PCR test. To get the health Visa you must have a PCR test – they will not accept a rapid nasal swab test. There were many boats anchored off Bimini who perhaps had trouble entering. The Big Game club was empty, maybe 4 or 5 boats. The marina physically locked the gates so you could not leave the marina premises after 7 PM but you could use the pool. Everything closed by 6 PM.

With Abacos essentially closed, and no one going to the Med or down island, the Exumas were unusually crowded with bigger boats. Lots of big 100+ foot boats anchored throughout and slips are very hard to get. Compass, Highbourne, and Staniel had no slips available for the two weeks we were there, aside from the reservation we had at Staniel.

Highbourne was hit by lightning a week or two ago and had no phones and very limited internet. Fuel was cheapest in years, we paid $3.34 at Hurricane Hole.

Chub Cay was in very nice shape and pretty crowded but they have some new bizarre policy for slip fees where you pay for the slip and not by the foot and the price changes every time you call. I was quoted $379 + tax on the way there for a 55 ft slip, then $250 for a 60 ft slip on the way back, which they would not honor 20 minutes later and finally paid $275 a night.

Publicly speculating on how areas will handle the economic impact is putting pressure on them to ignore the health threat in favor of the economic threat. Definitely propaganda and that's politics. Not our business. Stick to the reports and facts if you don't want the thread to devolve again and end up ticking off Carl again and getting an important thread closed again.

At this point in time it's impossible to plan any trips more than a week out. All you can do is come up with a fluid plan, wait and then make changes depending on where the chips fall at the time. It seems that the only trips really you can plan right now are Maine to Florida.

It was nice to see you as well. I have to say the Exumas remains one of the nicest place to visit with exceptional water and so many islands and anchorages to visit. Staniel Cay seems to be holding up well through the crisis so far.

I should mention that we were approached and questioned in a very professional way by a 150 ft Coastguard cutter about 25 miles offshore, who then proceeded to stop the next distant boat.

Actually on your trip it should've been amazing. None of the 40-50' center consoles running around to all of the spots with 30-50 cruise ship tourists each.

Yeah, the Big Majors anchorage is so much quieter without all of those tourist center consoles going to visit the pigs. There are about 20 something baby pigs as of last week which would have been a big draw for the tourists.

We stopped at Yacht haven on the way in and had dinner at the Poop Deck. 6:30 PM on a Sunday and there were a total of two tables seated including us. Its absolutely empty in Nassau with Atlantis closed and no cruise ships - much nicer but a heavy economic toll.

We have just returned to the Bahamas.
There are some new regs that must be adhered to, testing is down to 5 days and you must let the Bahamas Maritime Authority know your intentions.
I sent them an email, an heard back 2 days later, after I had already cleared in and made it on to my final destination. They sent me a form which was dated yesterday to fill out, which I did and now waiting for a response for my next movement.
They are definitely coming up with rules and then figuring out how to implement.
Our guests flew in and they were made to download an app and have to check in periodically as they move around so they can be monitored for the 14 day quarantine aboard.
I suggest anyone coming over to check in at Chub, it was easy and quick, I hear checking in at Nassau is a bit more problematic.
Will update as more info becomes available.