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Old 29-06-2005, 21:55   #1
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Question Permit to Charter in the Bahamas ?

Does anyone know how to go about getting a permit to provide charters in the Bahamas aboard a US Documented Vessel with a USCG licensed Master?

We are planning to do some chartering to help defray the cost of boat ownership, and need to figure this out.

Thanks,

Sean
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Old 29-06-2005, 23:41   #2
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The Government of The Bahamas http://www.bahamas.gov.bs/

Ministry of Tourism Tel: 242 - 322-7500 ~ Fax: 242 - 328-0945
Bay Street
P. O. Box N-3701
Nassau, N.P., The Bahamas
Contacts:
Obediah Wilchombe, Minister of Tourism
Agatha Marcelle, Parliamentary Secretary
Colin Higgs, Permanent Secretary
Vincent Vanderpool-Wallace, Director-General
Website: www.bahamas.com
Areas of Responsibilities.
Bahamas Information Services
Promotion and Development of Tourism
Tourism Product Improvement
Relations with Nassau Tourism and Development Association
Tourism Publicity and Advertisement
Relations with Promotion Boards
Welcome Centre Prince George Dock
Radio and Television Broadcast
Relations with Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas
Relations with the Gaming Board
Lotteries and Gaming


Ministry of Trade and Industry Tel: 242 - 328-2700/5 ~ Fax: 242 - 328-1324
Manx/Dockendale Centre
P. O. Box N 4849
Nassau, N.P., The Bahamas
Contacts
Leslie Miller, Minister of Trade and Industry
Helen Ebong, Permanent Secretary

Areas of Responsibilities.
Consumer Welfare
Trade
Industry and Manufacturing
Industries Encouragement
Small Business Development
Relations with The Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation
Development of Handicraft Industry
Straw and Crafts Markets
Down Home Fish Fry
Lome
NAFTA
EU/ACP
World Trade Organization
FTAA


Ministry of Transport and Aviation Tel: 242 - 394-0445-6 ~ Fax: 242 - 394-5920
East Bay Street
P.O. Box 10114
Nassau, N.P., The Bahamas
Contacts
Glenys Hanna-Martin, Minister of Transport and Aviation
Archie Nairn, Permanent Secretary
Website: www.transportmattersbs.com/index.html

Areas of Responsibilities.
Road Traffic, Department of
Post Office, Department of
Port, Department of
Civil Aviation, Department of
Meteorology, Department of
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Old 30-06-2005, 00:30   #3
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Sean,

Many cruisers think that they'll be able to charter in various locations to help them replenish the cruising kitty. The reality is that it is very diificult to do. Work permits, duty on the vessel, licenses,etc., etc. You'll need an agent to book the charters, business insurance, communications, a base. It goes on forever. Very few cuisers are successful at this. This might sound a bit negative but it's the real world. You might be able to cruise without supplementing the kitty by chartering. You'll find that you don't really need that much money once you set off.
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Old 30-06-2005, 08:57   #4
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Bahamas Chartering:
As I recall*, foreign boats could accept charters from foreign guests, provided they paid a small fee. The fee may have been about $300 / year. You were limited to customers arriving directly from outside the country, and weren’t permitted to solicit charters in The Bahamas. I don’t recall which Ministry collected the fee & issued the permit.
Generally speaking, Vasco (Rick I) is right - it’s difficult to charter in foreign jurisdictions.
* Please remember that I’m old & feeble-minded, and details seem to escape me.
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Old 30-06-2005, 13:35   #5
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Right again, Gord! :)

Gord,

You are 100% correct regarding chartering in foreign countries. I did a lot of research last night (your link proved very helpful!).

As it turns out, I will need to register the boat in the Bahamas, as well as possibly get another Master's license in the Bahamas as well. This will have a cost, but such is the cost of doing business.

I also read that it used to be quite expensive and difficult to chater in the Bahamas, but now it's a lot more simple and less expensive. I think it should be pretty simple, and a lot of people are doing it.

You are also correct regarding the charter customers. They can ONLY be non-Bahamian nationals and there is absolutely no soliciting for chater work inside the Bahamas.
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Old 30-06-2005, 13:41   #6
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Thanks, Rick.

Quote:
Vasco once whispered in the wind:
Sean,

Many cruisers think that they'll be able to charter in various locations to help them replenish the cruising kitty. The reality is that it is very diificult to do. Work permits, duty on the vessel, licenses,etc., etc. You'll need an agent to book the charters, business insurance, communications, a base. It goes on forever. Very few cuisers are successful at this. This might sound a bit negative but it's the real world. You might be able to cruise without supplementing the kitty by chartering. You'll find that you don't really need that much money once you set off.
Rick,

Thanks for the concern. I sincerely appreciate the input. Unfortunately, we wouldn't be going cruising at all if it were not for us doing charters. It is how we are paying for the boat, so it is our full time job. Yes, we do need to pay quite a bit for permits and to register the boat to chater, but I ran a pretty successful company in NYC before it was destroyed in 9/11. (Hence, no funds to buy the boat in the first place - lost everything)

The wife and I are decent at marketing.
We won't be using any chater brokers. I'm pretty confident we'll be able to "sell out" the charter slots very quickly. We have quite a niche I haven't shared with this board since I don't want it to be public knowledge until after the marketing gets out. If all goes well, maybe you'll see it in the media.

We will be chartering full time - summers in Maine and winters in the Bahamas or US Virgin Islands. We have little choice as this business is what will pay for the boat we just bought on credit.

Sean
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Old 30-06-2005, 20:33   #7
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Best of luck for your new enterprise.
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Old 01-07-2005, 01:52   #8
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Talking Thank you!! :)

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Talbot once whispered in the wind:
Best of luck for your new enterprise.
Thanks so much for the wish of good luck! Much appreciated, and of course... always needed.
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Old 01-11-2017, 09:59   #9
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Re: Permit to Charter in the Bahamas ?

Sean- I am starting to try to go down this path as well.

The 'Registering a foreign charter' page was very helpful. Any other advice/details from recently going through the process and your research?

Did you determine whether an additional Bahamian Master's license is required on top of USCG (currently have 6-pack)?

Thanks much!
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Old 01-11-2017, 10:05   #10
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Re: Permit to Charter in the Bahamas ?

Almost a 13 year old post, and the OP hasn't been active in almost 9 years.
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