Bypassing West End,Grand Bahama?

[gbanker]

It was reported in June 2012, on Noonsite, that cruisers that bypassed West End to check in to the Bahamas later at Marsh Harbor, Green Turtle, etc were being sent back to West End to clear in.
Anyone know if there is any substance to this report and if so is this still going on?
Thanks

[nautical62]

There have been several reports by users here stating such, and to the best of my knowledge the policy is still to check in immediately upon arrival to Bahamian waters.

[s/v 'Faith']

Just cleared in yesterday at Spanish Cay, happy and friendly absolutely no question about where I entered Bahamian waters....

I had come in at Moraine Cut, after making the run offshore all the way from Georgetown, but no questions asked.

Abacos seems to be a ghost town this year, heard from the (one) other boat here that there were only a coupe in Marsh Harbour, and that Treasure Key marina was closed (have not personally checked yet).

[Waterway Guide]

Back in June of 2012, the RBDF was stopping cruisers in the Abacos and sending them to West End to check in, plus hassling cruisers on dinghies making them go back to the "mothership" to show C&I documentation. After they got some bad press, they stopped doing it -- but that doesn't mean they will not start again some time. Two important points: As soon as you are on the banks, they consider you "in the country"...they expect you to check in at the first place you encounter, which means West End or Bimini if you are crossing from Southern Florida. There is also increased drug interdiction lately by the RBDF and the USCG in the Bahamas, so their eyes are everywhere right now. So...will you get stopped on the way to Green Turtle or Marsh Harbour? Probably not...but that doesn't mean that they can't or won't. Happy cruising!

[Waterway Guide]

Originally Posted by s/v 'Faith'

Just cleared in yesterday at Spanish Cay, happy and friendly absolutely no question about where I entered Bahamian waters....

I had come in at Moraine Cut, after making the run offshore all the way from Georgetown, but no questions asked.

Abacos seems to be a ghost town this year, heard from the (one) other boat here that there were only a coupe in Marsh Harbour, and that Treasure Key marina was closed (have not personally checked yet).

Treasure Cay Marina is open...talked to the dockmaster today.

[C Skip R]

We have been going to the Abacos for years and very rarely ever clear at West End and have never had an issue clearing at Spanish, Green Turtle or Marsh. This is why all of these islands have customs and I never heard of anyone getting stopped and having to go back to West End.

[s/v 'Faith']

Originally Posted by Waterway Guide

Treasure Cay Marina is open...talked to the dockmaster today.

thanks for checking on that for me Mike, and for posting the update.

Rather slow here in Marsh Harbour, but not quite the ghost town it appeared to be. Hopetown was fairly empty too, but did see several boats anchored outside of Green Turtle, and shared the anchorage at Manjack with 12 other boats....

Have not heard of anyone being turned back, many folks clearing in down this way.