Inagua Islands (BSIGA)

The coast is fringed with reef but a jetty with dolphins exists, Salt export and production is main industry. The site comprising 300,000 acres on Great Inagua, produces about a million pounds of salt per year.

Summer.

The island of Great Inagua is one of the largest of the Bahama Group, measuring 64km from E to W, with a width of 32km. One of the Islands in SE of Bahamas.

There is good anchorage at Lantern Head, S of the island but local knowledge is essential. Vessels may also anchor off Matthew Town Road near the edge of the bank in 8m to 9m and should be ready to anchor as soon as they cross this. Alfred Sound is not recommended as an anchorage in winds from SW to NW . The anchorage under the N shore of Man of War Bay is preferable. The S shore of Man of War Bay is steep-to and offers no anchorage.

Approach to the harbour entrance is on a bearing of 126° through the centre of the entrance on a single leading mark at the SE corner of the harbour. A rocky ledge extends seaward for some distance just S of the entry channel. Much of the S coast of Inagua has off lying reefs, especially in the vicinity of Southeast Point, where they extend 5nm offshore. The reef bound E coast of Inagua should be given a wide berth. On the N coast, Ocean Bight should be avoided by small craft. There is no anchorage available, as the shore is steep-to and forbidding. Sheep Cay is situated 4nm SW of Palmetto Point, which lies within the reef. Vessels drawing no more than 1.5m may enter through a gap in the reef a short distance E of the Cay and bring up in its lee. Between Sheep Cay and Northwest Point the reef lies a considerable distance offshore. From Middle point to Matthew Town the coast is clear with no off lying dangers.

BA 2959, Admiralty Pilot NP70, NP286(5)

Pilotage is not compulsory.

Between the islands of Great and Little Inagua, the current sets westward.

Customs allowances per day for officers and crew: Spirits 3/3cl, tobacco 38gm, beer 1 litre. Penalties for non compliance are varied and can be severe, depending on nature of offence. Crew and passengers are checked by immigration on arrival, vessel is responsible to oversee all leave, vessel may be fined, via agent, for missing personnel and is responsible for repatriation and costs until then.

..... Documents Copies 1. Declaration of Health (to be completed by vessel doctor or master) 1 2. Passenger Manifest Inwards 3 3. Passenger Manifest Outward 3 4. Entry Inwards 2 5. Entry Outwards 2 6. Vessel Report Inwards 2 7. Vessel Report Outwards 2 8. Cargo Manifest Inwards 3 9. Cargo Manifest Outwards 3 10. Vessel Stores List 2 11. Crew Manifest 2 All documents other than Declaration of Health, to be completed by master or agent.

Notify ETA 72, 48 and 24 hours prior to arrival. Message to include GT/NT, LOA, draught, if equipped with thrusters, number of passengers, crew, last port of call, health condition onboard.

Flag of Bahamas to be flown as a courtesy, when flown alongside other national flags, it shall not be smaller or in worse condition than the other national flag or flags.

Pratique granted by customs on boarding, unless suspected illness onboard, in which case a doctor will accompany the boarding party. Pratique not normally granted by radio. Ship Sanitation Control and Exemption Certificates are renewable at the port.