Concerned about the controversy that the new $300 entry fee has spurred in the international arena and protests by U.S. boaters, the government agreed to review pleasure boat fees.
However, concerned members of the public have urged the government not to revoke the increase, as they say this would be giving in to the demands of what is probably a small group of boaters.
In response, U.S. boaters launched an anti-Bahamas website in an effort to boycott what they call an unreasonable increase in boating fees.
The owners of vessels 35 feet and larger now have to pay a $300 cruising fee, 200 percent more than the original $100 fee. Those who own vessels under 35 feet are currently paying $150 – a $50 price hike.
Ministry of Tourism officials, aware of the widespread reaction the fees have caused, vowed to explore other options by reviewing the situation in a consultative way.
Boaters have in the past paid only $20 for a cruising permit and $20 for a fishing permit.
Prior to the implementation of the present fee, which includes departure tax for four persons, boaters paid no departure tax, unlike those persons who travelled to The Bahamas by air.
Director of Communications and Special Events in the Ministry of Tourism Naliny Bethel told the Bahama Journal that the government is still in consultations with several members of the community, and has already met with representatives of the boating community in New Providence and Florida.
ﾠ"We're conducting a survey of all the marinas to see if there's a reduction in the number of boaters coming to The Bahamas," she said. "And I say this because people will say this stuff on the Internet, but they will still come here."
Noel Clarke, Manager of the Port Lucaya Marina, said his marina has experienced a slowdown in business from foreign boaters.
"We have seen a decrease," Mr. Clarke said. "It's a substantial decrease in business…I think it's because of the increase in the fees.
"But I believe that the website Boycott Bahamas is actually the extreme. It doesn't represent the general voting public so I don't think that the site itself is detracting that much from Bahamian business."
ﾠMr. Clarke said he has received complaints from boaters who feel that it is becoming "cost-prohibitive" to come to The Bahamas. He said many of them are refusing to visit based simply on principle.
ﾠ"The taxes on airline fees that go to the government, those weren't tripled," he pointed out. "Persons coming in on a cruise ship their fees weren't tripled. So I can certainly understand the complaint."
Peter Attalogalu, Dock Manager and Dock Master at the Nassau Harbour Club, said so far business has not been affected, but predicts that a shortfall may be on the horizon.
"I think it will (be affected) because we have had some negative feedback, commenting on the way it (the fee) was applied," he said. "They find the $300 fine a little bit excessive for every time they enter The Bahamas."
"The boats that were coming here from the States . . . once they found out that they would have to pay $300 to come back to The Bahamas they were very upset."
Mr. Attalogalu said the marina was inundated with faxes, letters and e-mails from angry boaters expressing their displeasure about the new imposed clearance fees.
He said the worse part of the ordeal is that there was no room for anybody to react.
By Rogan M. Smith, The Bahama Journal
