Extortion in Nassau

[Vasco]

Originally Posted by Blue Stocking

It happened here in Bermuda. I worked at preparing a very large Bruce King boat that suffered a major engine fire, for tow. A large displacement-type hull came in here, cleared Customs,and left with the tow back to the East coast. Bit of difference between Nassau and Bermuda.

Yes but would the insurance company have sent a tow boat from the US to Bermuda for an engine problem that could be fixed in Bermuda? That is the point of the earlier comment of what would have happened if they had an engine problem in Bermuda. I think the whole "problem" could have been avoided if the OP had had the engine fixed in Nassau where there is an excellent Yanmar dealer. Apparently the OP wished to make an insurance claim and that would have been facilitated if the boat had been in the US.

The attitude of the OP is clear from her choice of header " Extortion in Nassau". Clearly this is incorrect and inflammatory.

[letsgetsailing3]

It's really not the Director of Immigration's job to give you a list of tow companies.

Would an immigration or customs official in the U.S. help you find a towing company?

I don't think so.

So the words "extortion" and "hostage" don't belong in this story.

[captain58sailin]

It is not unusual for local businesses to have a relationship with their own countries federal operations, that way if the government official is asked for a reference to a local vendor, he can be helpful and provide a name. The USCG has a relationship with the commercial towing companies in an area, so that the needs of the consumer can be met, it is not nefarious or corrupt, unless carried to the extreme, usually it is not. No evidence of that here.

[zboss]

Its been my experience that arguing with a local business owner over something never ever works anyhow - even if they may be in the wrong. In fact, It just makes things worse. Just politely say "no thank you, I wasn't aware of xyz" let them hiss between their teeth, kindly explain your situation, and then find some other way to get it done if an accommodation cannot be found.

Yes, it does sometimes feel like extortion and yes it does sometimes feel like you are being held hostage to another's whims but that is a price we pay for paradise.

[captain58sailin]

You think you are being extorted there, try not paying your taxes in the USA. The IRS gives a whole new meaning to pressure.

[boatsail]

"You think you are being extorted there, try not paying your taxes in the USA. The IRS gives a whole new meaning to pressure."

in the US, when you pay your home off, you still don't own it free and clear really. You pay rent (called property tax)to the Gov every year and if you stop, they take it back.

[rognvald]

"In your shoes I would simply cross the Bahamas off your list of places to visit for the next couple of decades. if not a bit longer ." David Old Jersey


There is both sarcasm and truth in the above statement since there will always be the question of fair treatment (whether official or unofficial) if Three Sheets returns to the Bahamas. You cannot compare a small island nation where word travels quickly on the grapevine to the US, Canada, Europe, Oz, or Nz where with greater populations and distances one has more anonymity. This is not a negative remark, but rather one which understands the workings of human nature. The OP, although lauding those in the marina, has certainly casted negative aspersions on Basra, the government and the tow company. These assertions/intimations cannot be erased. When we travel to foreign countries, we carry with us the legacy of past cruisers and create lasting impressions in our wake. And so, we as a group, are judged. We all have the responsibility to be good ambassadors for our countries, when abroad, since the reverberations of our actions do have far reaching consequences. I think, in all fairness to Three Sheets, that if they had better prepared themselves for the many possible mishaps and contingencies so common even with experienced cruisers that they would have handled this situation differently and avoided this mess. The old adage that "Experience is the best teacher" certainly applies here.

[David_Old_Jersey]

I wasn't aiming at sarcasm - was just trying to use some humour whilst making a real suggestion.........and too lazy to type your (better / fuller) explanation .

Islands (and Islanders ) can be funny things .

On the "Experience is the best teacher" angle, IME not everyone good at learning the lessons offered. My suspicion is that's the case here..........

[goboatingnow]

Just as a bigger question, exactly what local business would towboatus be competing with, the tow was presumably ordered and would have been paid for stateside. No commercial transaction was taking place in the Bahamas. Foreign Vessels come to port every day to pick up freight or tow things away.

No one in this thread seems to have got to the bottom of just what law prevent towboatus from collecting its tow.

If would be of course very different , if towboatus was touting the Bahamas for business.

It snarks of " local firm brings pressure on port captain" , who obliges.


Dave

[boatman61]

In some places the Port Captain is a powerful force..
I had a bad deal in Villamoura from a sailmaker in the port who tried to get away with a really crap job.. had a word with the Port Captain and showed him the sail. He summoned the sailmaker to his office and told him if matters were not resolved to his satisfaction he be out... and would not work in another port in Portugal again..
Pago Pago's the same... you do nothing in port without his say so.. its a low profile till crossed..

[donradcliffe]

I agree that its been an educational thread and should be required reading for the newbies. I only hope that it isn't closed until Three Sheets can report on the outcome with the Yanmar warranty and the insurance company. I hope that they can report good news, but I think the odds are against them.