Shoot Your Foot -- Bahamas Entry Fee
 

While poverty in the Bahamas is rampant and government revenues are
thin, even with very high tariffs on such common commodities as food
and petrol, the fees now being charged for merely entering the
country's waters is a ripoff. Just ask the owners/operators of
marinas, restaurants, hotels, etc. about the steep fall off in their
businesses income to ascertain how much the foolish government
officials have shot themselves and their impoverished citizens in the
foot.

I expect the fee to be lifted and the effort to raise government
revenue at the expense of boat owners to be abandoned.

Shoot Your Foot -- Bahamas Entry Fee
 

government equals stupid

Shoot Your Foot -- Bahamas Entry Fee
 

government equals stupid

Shoot Your Foot -- Bahamas Entry Fee
 

"Florida Keyz" wrote in message
...
government equals stupid

Boaters who relent and pay that kind of fee are just as stupid.

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

Shoot Your Foot -- Bahamas Entry Fee
 

"Florida Keyz" wrote in message
...
government equals stupid

Boaters who relent and pay that kind of fee are just as stupid.

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

Shoot Your Foot -- Bahamas Entry Fee
 

Or would rather spend the winter in Maryland :) Or even worse,
in Florida. Although I agree that the new fee is silly and will hurt
the Bahamians, I'd still rather spend the winter there than here.

Doug
s/v Callista

"Steve" wrote in message
...

"Florida Keyz" wrote in message
...
government equals stupid

Boaters who relent and pay that kind of fee are just as stupid.

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

Shoot Your Foot -- Bahamas Entry Fee
 

Or would rather spend the winter in Maryland :) Or even worse,
in Florida. Although I agree that the new fee is silly and will hurt
the Bahamians, I'd still rather spend the winter there than here.

Doug
s/v Callista

"Steve" wrote in message
...

"Florida Keyz" wrote in message
...
government equals stupid

Boaters who relent and pay that kind of fee are just as stupid.

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

Shoot Your Foot -- Bahamas Entry Fee
 

I guess, what I'm saying is, find an alternative until they come to their
senses. I doubt that it would take more than one season to get their
attention..

I'm sure there will still be some Mega Boat with Mega Buck owners who would
still 'cross the boycott line' and that hurts. They probably welcome our
boycott since that means few boats in the anchorages and butts in the bars.

Me? I'm on the west coast and haven't been to the Bahamas since 1971.

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

Shoot Your Foot -- Bahamas Entry Fee
 

I guess, what I'm saying is, find an alternative until they come to their
senses. I doubt that it would take more than one season to get their
attention..

I'm sure there will still be some Mega Boat with Mega Buck owners who would
still 'cross the boycott line' and that hurts. They probably welcome our
boycott since that means few boats in the anchorages and butts in the bars.

Me? I'm on the west coast and haven't been to the Bahamas since 1971.

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

Shoot Your Foot -- Bahamas Entry Fee
 

I'm sure that they will come to their senses soon. But staying
away is purely symbolic when $300 is the price for a winter.
For charter fishing boats I can see the problem with $300
a visit, though they have soffened to $300 for 2 or 3 visits.
Life is too short to get one's shorts in a wad over $200 more
a year.

Doug
s/v Callista

"Steve" wrote in message
...
I guess, what I'm saying is, find an alternative until they come to their
senses. I doubt that it would take more than one season to get their
attention..

I'm sure there will still be some Mega Boat with Mega Buck owners who
would
still 'cross the boycott line' and that hurts. They probably welcome our
boycott since that means few boats in the anchorages and butts in the
bars.

Me? I'm on the west coast and haven't been to the Bahamas since 1971.

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

Shoot Your Foot -- Bahamas Entry Fee
 

I'm sure that they will come to their senses soon. But staying
away is purely symbolic when $300 is the price for a winter.
For charter fishing boats I can see the problem with $300
a visit, though they have soffened to $300 for 2 or 3 visits.
Life is too short to get one's shorts in a wad over $200 more
a year.

Doug
s/v Callista

"Steve" wrote in message
...
I guess, what I'm saying is, find an alternative until they come to their
senses. I doubt that it would take more than one season to get their
attention..

I'm sure there will still be some Mega Boat with Mega Buck owners who
would
still 'cross the boycott line' and that hurts. They probably welcome our
boycott since that means few boats in the anchorages and butts in the
bars.

Me? I'm on the west coast and haven't been to the Bahamas since 1971.

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

Shoot Your Foot -- Bahamas Entry Fee
 

Steve - what boycott are you talking about? The "I'm too cheap to pay $300"
boycott?

There are a lot of non-mega boats over here. Can't say that any of my
favorite anchorages are that much thinner in population. I was hoping that
the $300 would keep out a few more.


"Steve" wrote in message
...
I guess, what I'm saying is, find an alternative until they come to their
senses. I doubt that it would take more than one season to get their
attention..

I'm sure there will still be some Mega Boat with Mega Buck owners who
would
still 'cross the boycott line' and that hurts. They probably welcome our
boycott since that means few boats in the anchorages and butts in the
bars.

Me? I'm on the west coast and haven't been to the Bahamas since 1971.

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

Shoot Your Foot -- Bahamas Entry Fee
 

Steve - what boycott are you talking about? The "I'm too cheap to pay $300"
boycott?

There are a lot of non-mega boats over here. Can't say that any of my
favorite anchorages are that much thinner in population. I was hoping that
the $300 would keep out a few more.


"Steve" wrote in message
...
I guess, what I'm saying is, find an alternative until they come to their
senses. I doubt that it would take more than one season to get their
attention..

I'm sure there will still be some Mega Boat with Mega Buck owners who
would
still 'cross the boycott line' and that hurts. They probably welcome our
boycott since that means few boats in the anchorages and butts in the
bars.

Me? I'm on the west coast and haven't been to the Bahamas since 1971.

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

Shoot Your Foot -- Bahamas Entry Fee
 

I think the point is- If we just pay the $300 fee, what next? $400,
600? Where will it end? If the Bahamas can get away with it, maybe
other countries will try it too?

I don't understand why marinas, suppliers, and now countries think
that boaters have UNLIMITED deep pockets. There are probably some,
but it certainly isn't me.

I would never consider going to Bahamas with this BS fee. I would
find another place to go.

Send them a message. Vote with your pocketbook.

Rich

"Jerry" wrote:

Steve - what boycott are you talking about? The "I'm too cheap to pay $300"
boycott?

There are a lot of non-mega boats over here. Can't say that any of my
favorite anchorages are that much thinner in population. I was hoping that
the $300 would keep out a few more.


"Steve" wrote in message
...
I guess, what I'm saying is, find an alternative until they come to their
senses. I doubt that it would take more than one season to get their
attention..

I'm sure there will still be some Mega Boat with Mega Buck owners who
would
still 'cross the boycott line' and that hurts. They probably welcome our
boycott since that means few boats in the anchorages and butts in the
bars.

Me? I'm on the west coast and haven't been to the Bahamas since 1971.

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

Shoot Your Foot -- Bahamas Entry Fee
 

I think the point is- If we just pay the $300 fee, what next? $400,
600? Where will it end? If the Bahamas can get away with it, maybe
other countries will try it too?

I don't understand why marinas, suppliers, and now countries think
that boaters have UNLIMITED deep pockets. There are probably some,
but it certainly isn't me.

I would never consider going to Bahamas with this BS fee. I would
find another place to go.

Send them a message. Vote with your pocketbook.

Rich

"Jerry" wrote:

Steve - what boycott are you talking about? The "I'm too cheap to pay $300"
boycott?

There are a lot of non-mega boats over here. Can't say that any of my
favorite anchorages are that much thinner in population. I was hoping that
the $300 would keep out a few more.


"Steve" wrote in message
...
I guess, what I'm saying is, find an alternative until they come to their
senses. I doubt that it would take more than one season to get their
attention..

I'm sure there will still be some Mega Boat with Mega Buck owners who
would
still 'cross the boycott line' and that hurts. They probably welcome our
boycott since that means few boats in the anchorages and butts in the
bars.

Me? I'm on the west coast and haven't been to the Bahamas since 1971.

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

Shoot Your Foot -- Bahamas Entry Fee
 

Well theres two of use who won't be going..

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

Shoot Your Foot -- Bahamas Entry Fee
 

Well theres two of use who won't be going..

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

Shoot Your Foot -- Bahamas Entry Fee
 

Subject: Shoot Your Foot -- Bahamas Entry Fee
From: "Jerry"

I was hoping that
the $300 would keep out a few more.

Amen brother! :-)

Capt. Bill

Shoot Your Foot -- Bahamas Entry Fee
 

Subject: Shoot Your Foot -- Bahamas Entry Fee
From: "Jerry"

I was hoping that
the $300 would keep out a few more.

Amen brother! :-)

Capt. Bill

Shoot Your Foot -- Bahamas Entry Fee
 

Make that three. I was planning a March trip with my family, but will do
the Keyes instead. I'm sure my visit elsewhere and the tons on money I
would have spent will bring them to their knees, just lioke my boycott
of Exxon after the oil spill and their refusal to pay their debt up there.

Capt. Jeff

Shoot Your Foot -- Bahamas Entry Fee
 

Make that three. I was planning a March trip with my family, but will do
the Keyes instead. I'm sure my visit elsewhere and the tons on money I
would have spent will bring them to their knees, just lioke my boycott
of Exxon after the oil spill and their refusal to pay their debt up there.

Capt. Jeff

Shoot Your Foot -- Bahamas Entry Fee
 

x-no-archive:yes


"Jerry" wrote:

Steve - what boycott are you talking about? The "I'm too cheap to pay $300"
boycott?

There are a lot of non-mega boats over here. Can't say that any of my
favorite anchorages are that much thinner in population. I was hoping that
the $300 would keep out a few more.

We aren't going this year but it isn't even mostly about the $300. My
SIL isn't going either and he has only a 26.5 foot boat and he can
certainly afford $150. The main reason we are not going is the
homeland security regulations when we come back. That's even stupider
than the Bahamas increase in fees. I like the Bahamas, but not enough
to jump through all those hoops.


"Steve" wrote in message
...
I guess, what I'm saying is, find an alternative until they come to their
senses. I doubt that it would take more than one season to get their
attention..

I'm sure there will still be some Mega Boat with Mega Buck owners who
would
still 'cross the boycott line' and that hurts. They probably welcome our
boycott since that means few boats in the anchorages and butts in the
bars.

Me? I'm on the west coast and haven't been to the Bahamas since 1971.

Steve
s/v Good Intentions




grandma Rosalie

Shoot Your Foot -- Bahamas Entry Fee
 

x-no-archive:yes


"Jerry" wrote:

Steve - what boycott are you talking about? The "I'm too cheap to pay $300"
boycott?

There are a lot of non-mega boats over here. Can't say that any of my
favorite anchorages are that much thinner in population. I was hoping that
the $300 would keep out a few more.

We aren't going this year but it isn't even mostly about the $300. My
SIL isn't going either and he has only a 26.5 foot boat and he can
certainly afford $150. The main reason we are not going is the
homeland security regulations when we come back. That's even stupider
than the Bahamas increase in fees. I like the Bahamas, but not enough
to jump through all those hoops.


"Steve" wrote in message
...
I guess, what I'm saying is, find an alternative until they come to their
senses. I doubt that it would take more than one season to get their
attention..

I'm sure there will still be some Mega Boat with Mega Buck owners who
would
still 'cross the boycott line' and that hurts. They probably welcome our
boycott since that means few boats in the anchorages and butts in the
bars.

Me? I'm on the west coast and haven't been to the Bahamas since 1971.

Steve
s/v Good Intentions




grandma Rosalie

Shoot Your Foot -- Bahamas Entry Fee
 

Subject: Shoot Your Foot -- Bahamas Entry Fee
From: Rosalie B.

The main reason we are not going is the
homeland security regulations when we come back. That's even stupider
than the Bahamas increase in fees. I like the Bahamas, but not enough
to jump through all those hoops.

Couldn't agree more.
But I will say that the last time I cleared through was in Key West and it was
a nice walk to the customs and immigration office and it only took about 30
min. for three of us to clear in.

Capt. Bill

Shoot Your Foot -- Bahamas Entry Fee
 

Subject: Shoot Your Foot -- Bahamas Entry Fee
From: Rosalie B.

The main reason we are not going is the
homeland security regulations when we come back. That's even stupider
than the Bahamas increase in fees. I like the Bahamas, but not enough
to jump through all those hoops.

Couldn't agree more.
But I will say that the last time I cleared through was in Key West and it was
a nice walk to the customs and immigration office and it only took about 30
min. for three of us to clear in.

Capt. Bill

Shoot Your Foot -- Bahamas Entry Fee
 

Ok, so each of you has made a decision not to go for reasons ranging from
the $300 fee to homeland security BS when you come back. Why not boycott the
US because of the homeland security BS?.

Each of us does out own thing based on our own situation. Just because
someone doesn't have a problem with the $300 fee doesn't make them STUPID as
a few earlier posters said. Personally, paying the $300 for a winter in the
Bahamas is well spent money as compared to most places in the Keys this time
of the year --- talk about overcrowding! If the entry fee is not in line
with what you feel is fair & reasonable, then send them a letter and don't
go. If there is a big dropoff in revenues because of the fee increase, they
will respond accordingly. Calling me (and all the others over here) stupid
for not agreeing with you is a bit out of line.

Try to keep all this in perspective. Most of the Bahamians are poor
relative to most of the cruisers who come over. They are only taxing the
rich. Isn't that what all good US liberals want? Sucks to be on the other
side of that whine!


"Steve" wrote in message
...
Well theres two of use who won't be going.

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

Shoot Your Foot -- Bahamas Entry Fee
 

Ok, so each of you has made a decision not to go for reasons ranging from
the $300 fee to homeland security BS when you come back. Why not boycott the
US because of the homeland security BS?.

Each of us does out own thing based on our own situation. Just because
someone doesn't have a problem with the $300 fee doesn't make them STUPID as
a few earlier posters said. Personally, paying the $300 for a winter in the
Bahamas is well spent money as compared to most places in the Keys this time
of the year --- talk about overcrowding! If the entry fee is not in line
with what you feel is fair & reasonable, then send them a letter and don't
go. If there is a big dropoff in revenues because of the fee increase, they
will respond accordingly. Calling me (and all the others over here) stupid
for not agreeing with you is a bit out of line.

Try to keep all this in perspective. Most of the Bahamians are poor
relative to most of the cruisers who come over. They are only taxing the
rich. Isn't that what all good US liberals want? Sucks to be on the other
side of that whine!


"Steve" wrote in message
...
Well theres two of use who won't be going.

Steve
s/v Good Intentions

Shoot Your Foot -- Bahamas Entry Fee
 

x-no-archive:yes


"Jerry" wrote:

Ok, so each of you has made a decision not to go for reasons ranging from
the $300 fee to homeland security BS when you come back. Why not boycott the
US because of the homeland security BS?.

Because I can't do that being a US citizen and living in the US. To
boycott the US, I'd have to leave and not come back. While some US
citizens are bitter and anti-government and want to do that, I don't


Each of us does out own thing based on our own situation. Just because
someone doesn't have a problem with the $300 fee doesn't make them STUPID as
a few earlier posters said. Personally, paying the $300 for a winter in the
Bahamas is well spent money as compared to most places in the Keys this time

I didn't call you stupid, and I've talked to other people and
questioned them about their reasons for going.

What I objected to was not the fee, so much as the waffling around.
And also the possibility that one might have to pay an additional fee
for an extended cruising permit of more than 3 months. When we were
there in 2002, some folks were having trouble getting a cruising
permit for as long as they were going to be there and being required
to check back in at a port of entry in 3 months or 6 weeks or one
month. The problem is that ports of entry aren't everywhere in the
Bahamas. So folks were having to go in to Nassau and go to the
headquarters to get their cruising permit for the length of time that
they intended to be there even though the (at that time) $100 cruising
permit was supposed to automatically be for a year.

IMHO it is the south Florida (mostly) power boaters that have made
this a problem for the rest of us by trying to avoid paying the fee
each time they bop across the Gulf Stream for a few days in Bimini.
It only takes them a hour or two (depending on the boat). They pretend
that they've been there all along, and don't pay the entry fee that
they owed for each visit.

Again IMHO what they should have done was have a $300 yearly fee for
those folks, and maybe a $150 six month fee good for multiple entries
within that time frame, and then go back to the $100 fee for a single
entry in a year boats. Because someone that comes and stays is
spending a lot more money in the Bahamas and buying stuff on which
import duties have been paid and thus supporting the economy more than
the back and forth folks will.

I wrote them to that effect when the initial writing campaign was
launched.

of the year --- talk about overcrowding! If the entry fee is not in line
with what you feel is fair & reasonable, then send them a letter and don't
go. If there is a big dropoff in revenues because of the fee increase, they

I've done that.

will respond accordingly. Calling me (and all the others over here) stupid
for not agreeing with you is a bit out of line.

Try to keep all this in perspective. Most of the Bahamians are poor
relative to most of the cruisers who come over. They are only taxing the
rich. Isn't that what all good US liberals want? Sucks to be on the other
side of that whine!

The entry fee isn't just for US visitors you know.

Most of the people I've talked to who are going just do not think that
the entry fee is a real problem. Someone said to me that this was a
once in a lifetime trip for him (I think he was actually Canadian so
the fee was a lot steeper for him than for us), so he was going to go
ahead and go.

grandma Rosalie

Shoot Your Foot -- Bahamas Entry Fee
 

x-no-archive:yes


"Jerry" wrote:

Ok, so each of you has made a decision not to go for reasons ranging from
the $300 fee to homeland security BS when you come back. Why not boycott the
US because of the homeland security BS?.

Because I can't do that being a US citizen and living in the US. To
boycott the US, I'd have to leave and not come back. While some US
citizens are bitter and anti-government and want to do that, I don't


Each of us does out own thing based on our own situation. Just because
someone doesn't have a problem with the $300 fee doesn't make them STUPID as
a few earlier posters said. Personally, paying the $300 for a winter in the
Bahamas is well spent money as compared to most places in the Keys this time

I didn't call you stupid, and I've talked to other people and
questioned them about their reasons for going.

What I objected to was not the fee, so much as the waffling around.
And also the possibility that one might have to pay an additional fee
for an extended cruising permit of more than 3 months. When we were
there in 2002, some folks were having trouble getting a cruising
permit for as long as they were going to be there and being required
to check back in at a port of entry in 3 months or 6 weeks or one
month. The problem is that ports of entry aren't everywhere in the
Bahamas. So folks were having to go in to Nassau and go to the
headquarters to get their cruising permit for the length of time that
they intended to be there even though the (at that time) $100 cruising
permit was supposed to automatically be for a year.

IMHO it is the south Florida (mostly) power boaters that have made
this a problem for the rest of us by trying to avoid paying the fee
each time they bop across the Gulf Stream for a few days in Bimini.
It only takes them a hour or two (depending on the boat). They pretend
that they've been there all along, and don't pay the entry fee that
they owed for each visit.

Again IMHO what they should have done was have a $300 yearly fee for
those folks, and maybe a $150 six month fee good for multiple entries
within that time frame, and then go back to the $100 fee for a single
entry in a year boats. Because someone that comes and stays is
spending a lot more money in the Bahamas and buying stuff on which
import duties have been paid and thus supporting the economy more than
the back and forth folks will.

I wrote them to that effect when the initial writing campaign was
launched.

of the year --- talk about overcrowding! If the entry fee is not in line
with what you feel is fair & reasonable, then send them a letter and don't
go. If there is a big dropoff in revenues because of the fee increase, they

I've done that.

will respond accordingly. Calling me (and all the others over here) stupid
for not agreeing with you is a bit out of line.

Try to keep all this in perspective. Most of the Bahamians are poor
relative to most of the cruisers who come over. They are only taxing the
rich. Isn't that what all good US liberals want? Sucks to be on the other
side of that whine!

The entry fee isn't just for US visitors you know.

Most of the people I've talked to who are going just do not think that
the entry fee is a real problem. Someone said to me that this was a
once in a lifetime trip for him (I think he was actually Canadian so
the fee was a lot steeper for him than for us), so he was going to go
ahead and go.

grandma Rosalie

Shoot Your Foot -- Bahamas Entry Fee
 

What homeland security regulations? You mean having to check-in
in person? Big deal. That is what all our Canadian friends and anyone
else not a US citizen has always had to do. Hasn't kept them from
cruising. I've always been amazed that one could check-in by
phone.

Doug
s/v Callista

"Rosalie B." wrote in message
...
x-no-archive:yes


"Jerry" wrote:

Steve - what boycott are you talking about? The "I'm too cheap to pay
$300"
boycott?

There are a lot of non-mega boats over here. Can't say that any of my
favorite anchorages are that much thinner in population. I was hoping
that
the $300 would keep out a few more.

We aren't going this year but it isn't even mostly about the $300. My
SIL isn't going either and he has only a 26.5 foot boat and he can
certainly afford $150. The main reason we are not going is the
homeland security regulations when we come back. That's even stupider
than the Bahamas increase in fees. I like the Bahamas, but not enough
to jump through all those hoops.


"Steve" wrote in message
...
I guess, what I'm saying is, find an alternative until they come to
their
senses. I doubt that it would take more than one season to get their
attention..

I'm sure there will still be some Mega Boat with Mega Buck owners who
would
still 'cross the boycott line' and that hurts. They probably welcome
our
boycott since that means few boats in the anchorages and butts in the
bars.

Me? I'm on the west coast and haven't been to the Bahamas since 1971.

Steve
s/v Good Intentions




grandma Rosalie

Shoot Your Foot -- Bahamas Entry Fee
 

What homeland security regulations? You mean having to check-in
in person? Big deal. That is what all our Canadian friends and anyone
else not a US citizen has always had to do. Hasn't kept them from
cruising. I've always been amazed that one could check-in by
phone.

Doug
s/v Callista

"Rosalie B." wrote in message
...
x-no-archive:yes


"Jerry" wrote:

Steve - what boycott are you talking about? The "I'm too cheap to pay
$300"
boycott?

There are a lot of non-mega boats over here. Can't say that any of my
favorite anchorages are that much thinner in population. I was hoping
that
the $300 would keep out a few more.

We aren't going this year but it isn't even mostly about the $300. My
SIL isn't going either and he has only a 26.5 foot boat and he can
certainly afford $150. The main reason we are not going is the
homeland security regulations when we come back. That's even stupider
than the Bahamas increase in fees. I like the Bahamas, but not enough
to jump through all those hoops.


"Steve" wrote in message
...
I guess, what I'm saying is, find an alternative until they come to
their
senses. I doubt that it would take more than one season to get their
attention..

I'm sure there will still be some Mega Boat with Mega Buck owners who
would
still 'cross the boycott line' and that hurts. They probably welcome
our
boycott since that means few boats in the anchorages and butts in the
bars.

Me? I'm on the west coast and haven't been to the Bahamas since 1971.

Steve
s/v Good Intentions




grandma Rosalie

Shoot Your Foot -- Bahamas Entry Fee
 

On Sun, 15 Feb 2004 10:54:47 -0500, G. Richard Stidger
wrote:

I think the point is- If we just pay the $300 fee, what next? $400,
600? Where will it end? If the Bahamas can get away with it, maybe
other countries will try it too?


it happened on Everest simply because they realized they could charge as
much as they wanted and somebody would pay.Fees went from $5 to$25
to....$65,000USD to vist and climb and the numbers of people have risen
exponentially!
Same revenue and less paperwork. Unfortunately people of moderate income
don't count when fees are assessed.

I don't understand why marinas, suppliers, and now countries think
that boaters have UNLIMITED deep pockets.

step outside of 'our' world for a moment. The majority of people in the
world are struggling to make ends meet and feed a family, not struggling
to sail their recreational sailboat into someboy elses waters at the hosts
expense.
Your naive view is unfortunately very prominant in the USA and many parts
of Europe, "let them eat cake". We are all very wealthy cf the people that
inhabit the cruising grounds. Unfortunately the 'graft' never gets to the
needy, but still, if we can afford a boat and have the time to recreate in
tropical waters we are rich!

There are probably some,
but it certainly isn't me.

yes, it is you...and me. We aren't Bill Gates but we are in the 90
Percentile on a worldwide basis. Have you traveled and, more importantly,
have you _noticed_ how most people live in these 'playgrounds'? If you
noticed. did you care?


I would never consider going to Bahamas with this BS fee. I would
find another place to go.

Come to Canada, if you fall off your boat drunk we will send search and
rescue to pick you up, dry you off and tow your boat back to port. All at
taxpayers expense. Hell, even if you are balooning around the world and
fall inbto aframers field we will dispatch a hercules and a fleet of
helicopters to deliver your champaign and drag your ballon back home for
you...while there are real emergencies happening to fishermen at the same
time. We have set a presidence that cannot be met by most other
countries...we get spoiled!


Send them a message. Vote with your pocketbook.

Rich

the irony of your name is too sweet and Rich!
rick

"Jerry" wrote:

Steve - what boycott are you talking about? The "I'm too cheap to pay
$300"
boycott?

There are a lot of non-mega boats over here. Can't say that any of my
favorite anchorages are that much thinner in population. I was hoping
that
the $300 would keep out a few more.


"Steve" wrote in message
...
I guess, what I'm saying is, find an alternative until they come to
their
senses. I doubt that it would take more than one season to get their
attention..

I'm sure there will still be some Mega Boat with Mega Buck owners who
would
still 'cross the boycott line' and that hurts. They probably welcome
our
boycott since that means few boats in the anchorages and butts in the
bars.

Me? I'm on the west coast and haven't been to the Bahamas since 1971.

Steve
s/v Good Intentions







--
Using M2, Opera's revolutionary e-mail client: http://www.opera.com/m2/

Shoot Your Foot -- Bahamas Entry Fee
 

On Sun, 15 Feb 2004 10:54:47 -0500, G. Richard Stidger
wrote:

I think the point is- If we just pay the $300 fee, what next? $400,
600? Where will it end? If the Bahamas can get away with it, maybe
other countries will try it too?


it happened on Everest simply because they realized they could charge as
much as they wanted and somebody would pay.Fees went from $5 to$25
to....$65,000USD to vist and climb and the numbers of people have risen
exponentially!
Same revenue and less paperwork. Unfortunately people of moderate income
don't count when fees are assessed.

I don't understand why marinas, suppliers, and now countries think
that boaters have UNLIMITED deep pockets.

step outside of 'our' world for a moment. The majority of people in the
world are struggling to make ends meet and feed a family, not struggling
to sail their recreational sailboat into someboy elses waters at the hosts
expense.
Your naive view is unfortunately very prominant in the USA and many parts
of Europe, "let them eat cake". We are all very wealthy cf the people that
inhabit the cruising grounds. Unfortunately the 'graft' never gets to the
needy, but still, if we can afford a boat and have the time to recreate in
tropical waters we are rich!

There are probably some,
but it certainly isn't me.

yes, it is you...and me. We aren't Bill Gates but we are in the 90
Percentile on a worldwide basis. Have you traveled and, more importantly,
have you _noticed_ how most people live in these 'playgrounds'? If you
noticed. did you care?


I would never consider going to Bahamas with this BS fee. I would
find another place to go.

Come to Canada, if you fall off your boat drunk we will send search and
rescue to pick you up, dry you off and tow your boat back to port. All at
taxpayers expense. Hell, even if you are balooning around the world and
fall inbto aframers field we will dispatch a hercules and a fleet of
helicopters to deliver your champaign and drag your ballon back home for
you...while there are real emergencies happening to fishermen at the same
time. We have set a presidence that cannot be met by most other
countries...we get spoiled!


Send them a message. Vote with your pocketbook.

Rich

the irony of your name is too sweet and Rich!
rick

"Jerry" wrote:

Steve - what boycott are you talking about? The "I'm too cheap to pay
$300"
boycott?

There are a lot of non-mega boats over here. Can't say that any of my
favorite anchorages are that much thinner in population. I was hoping
that
the $300 would keep out a few more.


"Steve" wrote in message
...
I guess, what I'm saying is, find an alternative until they come to
their
senses. I doubt that it would take more than one season to get their
attention..

I'm sure there will still be some Mega Boat with Mega Buck owners who
would
still 'cross the boycott line' and that hurts. They probably welcome
our
boycott since that means few boats in the anchorages and butts in the
bars.

Me? I'm on the west coast and haven't been to the Bahamas since 1971.

Steve
s/v Good Intentions







--
Using M2, Opera's revolutionary e-mail client: http://www.opera.com/m2/

Shoot Your Foot -- Bahamas Entry Fee
 

The problem with you is that you are reasonable and rational.

"Rosalie B." wrote in message
...
x-no-archive:yes


"Jerry" wrote:

snip

I didn't call you stupid, and I've talked to other people and
questioned them about their reasons for going.

There were some prior posters that said anyone not participating in some
boycott is stupid. I know you would never say that.

Shoot Your Foot -- Bahamas Entry Fee
 

The problem with you is that you are reasonable and rational.

"Rosalie B." wrote in message
...
x-no-archive:yes


"Jerry" wrote:

snip

I didn't call you stupid, and I've talked to other people and
questioned them about their reasons for going.

There were some prior posters that said anyone not participating in some
boycott is stupid. I know you would never say that.

Shoot Your Foot -- Bahamas Entry Fee
 

x-no-archive:yes


"Doug Dotson" wrote:

What homeland security regulations? You mean having to check-in
in person? Big deal. That is what all our Canadian friends and anyone
else not a US citizen has always had to do. Hasn't kept them from
cruising. I've always been amazed that one could check-in by
phone.

Doug
s/v Callista

Yes I do mean that. I would expect that someone who is not a citizen
would have to do that, and I would expect to do that if I was checking
in at a foreign country. Although usually in a foreign country not
everyone on the boat has to come and check in - you just send one
representative. In some places, no one is allowed off the boat until
the captain has checked in.

What is stupid is that they require everyone on the boat to come in
person to the airport or some such place. That's not always easy to
do from a boat and may involve an expensive cab ride. Plus if the
immigration chaps are tied up with a cruise ship (and for that they
come to the boat), then they may not have time to check you in.

If I had an illegal aboard, I'm not going to bring them with me to
check in so what good does it do?

"Rosalie B." wrote in message
.. .
x-no-archive:yes


"Jerry" wrote:

Steve - what boycott are you talking about? The "I'm too cheap to pay
$300"
boycott?

There are a lot of non-mega boats over here. Can't say that any of my
favorite anchorages are that much thinner in population. I was hoping
that
the $300 would keep out a few more.

We aren't going this year but it isn't even mostly about the $300. My
SIL isn't going either and he has only a 26.5 foot boat and he can
certainly afford $150. The main reason we are not going is the
homeland security regulations when we come back. That's even stupider
than the Bahamas increase in fees. I like the Bahamas, but not enough
to jump through all those hoops.


"Steve" wrote in message
...
I guess, what I'm saying is, find an alternative until they come to
their
senses. I doubt that it would take more than one season to get their
attention..

I'm sure there will still be some Mega Boat with Mega Buck owners who
would
still 'cross the boycott line' and that hurts. They probably welcome
our
boycott since that means few boats in the anchorages and butts in the
bars.

Me? I'm on the west coast and haven't been to the Bahamas since 1971.

Steve
s/v Good Intentions




grandma Rosalie


grandma Rosalie

Shoot Your Foot -- Bahamas Entry Fee
 

x-no-archive:yes


"Doug Dotson" wrote:

What homeland security regulations? You mean having to check-in
in person? Big deal. That is what all our Canadian friends and anyone
else not a US citizen has always had to do. Hasn't kept them from
cruising. I've always been amazed that one could check-in by
phone.

Doug
s/v Callista

Yes I do mean that. I would expect that someone who is not a citizen
would have to do that, and I would expect to do that if I was checking
in at a foreign country. Although usually in a foreign country not
everyone on the boat has to come and check in - you just send one
representative. In some places, no one is allowed off the boat until
the captain has checked in.

What is stupid is that they require everyone on the boat to come in
person to the airport or some such place. That's not always easy to
do from a boat and may involve an expensive cab ride. Plus if the
immigration chaps are tied up with a cruise ship (and for that they
come to the boat), then they may not have time to check you in.

If I had an illegal aboard, I'm not going to bring them with me to
check in so what good does it do?

"Rosalie B." wrote in message
.. .
x-no-archive:yes


"Jerry" wrote:

Steve - what boycott are you talking about? The "I'm too cheap to pay
$300"
boycott?

There are a lot of non-mega boats over here. Can't say that any of my
favorite anchorages are that much thinner in population. I was hoping
that
the $300 would keep out a few more.

We aren't going this year but it isn't even mostly about the $300. My
SIL isn't going either and he has only a 26.5 foot boat and he can
certainly afford $150. The main reason we are not going is the
homeland security regulations when we come back. That's even stupider
than the Bahamas increase in fees. I like the Bahamas, but not enough
to jump through all those hoops.


"Steve" wrote in message
...
I guess, what I'm saying is, find an alternative until they come to
their
senses. I doubt that it would take more than one season to get their
attention..

I'm sure there will still be some Mega Boat with Mega Buck owners who
would
still 'cross the boycott line' and that hurts. They probably welcome
our
boycott since that means few boats in the anchorages and butts in the
bars.

Me? I'm on the west coast and haven't been to the Bahamas since 1971.

Steve
s/v Good Intentions




grandma Rosalie


grandma Rosalie

Shoot Your Foot -- Bahamas Entry Fee
 

The US Coast Guard would do the same thing. Was the boat in danger of
sinking or hitting a rock or was some in a medical emergency, then they
would go after you. I guess falling off your boat drunk qualifies.


"WaIIy" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 16 Feb 2004 13:15:55 -0400, rick
wrote:

Come to Canada, if you fall off your boat drunk we will send search and
rescue to pick you up, dry you off and tow your boat back to port.

Not really. I was coming back from Leamington about 11:30 one night in
5-6-7 footers and there was a distress call to the Canadian Coast Guard
on channel 16.

The boat in trouble was off of Pelee Island. The Canadians refuse to
come out and told them to call a commercial towing service.

My boat was too small to do any good, as I probably shouldn't have been
out there in the first place.

I was shocked at the response to a boater in trouble. It wasn't a
Mayday, but they were dead in the water.

Shoot Your Foot -- Bahamas Entry Fee
 

The US Coast Guard would do the same thing. Was the boat in danger of
sinking or hitting a rock or was some in a medical emergency, then they
would go after you. I guess falling off your boat drunk qualifies.


"WaIIy" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 16 Feb 2004 13:15:55 -0400, rick
wrote:

Come to Canada, if you fall off your boat drunk we will send search and
rescue to pick you up, dry you off and tow your boat back to port.

Not really. I was coming back from Leamington about 11:30 one night in
5-6-7 footers and there was a distress call to the Canadian Coast Guard
on channel 16.

The boat in trouble was off of Pelee Island. The Canadians refuse to
come out and told them to call a commercial towing service.

My boat was too small to do any good, as I probably shouldn't have been
out there in the first place.

I was shocked at the response to a boater in trouble. It wasn't a
Mayday, but they were dead in the water.

Shoot Your Foot -- Bahamas Entry Fee
 

The US Coast Guard would do the same thing. Was the boat in danger of
sinking or hitting a rock or was some in a medical emergency, then they
would go after you. I guess falling off your boat drunk qualifies.

Falling off the boat, drunk or sober, will always qualify as an emergency until
the MOB is recovered.

And you are right, the USCG will offer to call a commercial tow service unless
you claim there is imminent risk to persons or property. Getting sea sick in
5-footers isn't the sort of risk they'll send out a helicopter to resolve. :-)