Wed. Feb. 15th - Checking in at Lucaya

We arrived in Port Lucaya at 5pm. The dockmaster at the harbor told  us we could stay at the fuel dock while checking in. We would then move to an anchorage.  Checking in is a two step process. You meet with immigration, show them your forms and fill out more forms. Then you meet with a customs agent.  The meeting with immigration only lasted a few minutes. When finished the gal told us to go back to the boat and wait. The immigration agent would come to us. It was now getting dark and we were still waiting. Tom approached the dockmaster and explained what we were told.  He called on the radio and told us we had to go back up to the office, that we were given the wrong information.  Now at the office, the agent is outside finishing a cigarette. He holds up a finger to tell us one minute. Finding out that nothing is done quickly in the Bahamas our minute was nearly 10.  It is now dark.  It only took about five minutes to complete the paperwork. When finished the agent told us we owed him $30.00. When I asked what the fee was for he said overtime. It's past 5pm! Tom politely indicated that the sign said that agents are on call at all times. The answer was, yes but after 5pm we charge overtime. All I had were $20.00 dollar bills. When I handed him forty dollars he indicated that they had no change. I responded with we just paid the $300.00 entry fee so the gal in the back should have change. She responded with a no, it is all locked up. Now frustrated all were quiet. Tom calmly said to the agent, it is dark out and we cannot safely anchor out. You keep the extra ten and let us stay on the gas dock until morning. The agent said No problem man, just be gone by 8am. We complied.  Once we hooked up to electricity I wondered around in the shops that were adjacent to the marina.  We were gone by 7am, headed for the Lucaya canal and Great Sail Key.

   You must fly a yellow quarantine flag until you check in then you fly the Bahamian Courtesy flag. Tom wanted to save nineteen dollars so he flew his yellow shirt as the yellow flag.

                                                                Entrance to Port Lucaya

                                                    Another view as we entered the harbor