Long Island to George Town to Emerald Bay

Yesterday we left Long Island and sailed/motor sailed to George Town. The winds were relatively light but we were able to use our gennaker for a couple of hours. Once we arrive in George Town we picked up a mooring ball in Red Shanks. Those mooring balls, which are controlled by the Bahamas National Trust, remain free until mid-February. The mooring balls across the harbor, which are controlled by another group now cost $30/night and $483/month. We saw a few boats using those moorings but also quite a few boats anchored around the mooring field. Overall, there appear to be fewer boats than normal for this time of year. 

This morning we dropped the mooring lines and motored four miles to the anchorage outside of town. We dinghied to the dock and walked to the Office of Immigration. When we checked into the Bahamas we paid for a cruising permit for the boat which gave us permission to keep it here for one year. We also had to clear immigration for ourselves and we were given just 90 days. It was time to renew our immigration status. It has to be done in person, it can’t be done late (after the 90 days are up), yet it can’t be done too early (they prefer just 2-3 days before it expires. Also, it has to be renewed at one of a handful of immigration offices. Since we were passing through George Town we decided to take a chance and ask for the renewal even though it doesn’t expire for 10 days. It took an hour, but we succeeded! I was given 90 more days and George given 60. No idea why, but 60 is more than enough so we will take it. 

After accomplishing the immigration renewal, we raised the anchor and motor sailed ten miles north to The Marina at Emerald Bay. Our daughter and son-in-law are coming for a visit next week. We had hoped to be at George Town with them but we are expecting the strongest winds of the winter during their visit. We were afraid the large harbor would be too choppy for safe, dry dinghy rides with four people on board. We are excited about their visit and will make the best of it here in the marina. 

Flying the gennaker. 

 

Breeze On next to her neighbor, Bundalong. That boat is huge! The crew is on board getting ready to sail to Martinique. 




Another view of Breeze On next to her neighbor. We are guessing that the freeboard (the side of the boat that is above the water) is 12’. The boat is 78’long & 39’wide.