Bahamas Parliament Overhauls Boating Regulations

The Bahamas Parliament has enacted the Port Authorities (Amendment) Bill of 2025, which introduces significant changes to maritime regulations and fees effective July 1, 2025.

The bill has new requirements for foreign vessels 50 feet or over in length. Section 40B of the bill mandates these boats now be equipped with a functioning Automated Identification System (AIS) that must remain turned on whether docked, traversing or passing through the nation’s waters.

Non-compliance for this rule will result in a fine of up to $1,000.

Under Regulation 91, the bill increases Temporary Cruising Permit fees. For a period not exceeding 12 months, the new fees are:

• Vessels not exceeding 34 feet in length: $500
• Vessels exceeding 34 feet but not exceeding 100 feet in length: $1,000
• Vessels in excess of 100 feet in length: $3,000 

These fees will cover cruising permits, attendance fees for customs officers, and overtime and travel expenses for immigration officers. The fees do not apply to ancillary equipment being towed or on board, excluding tenders over 25 feet, which will have a $500 fee for up to 12 months. 

If a pleasure vessel carries more than three passengers, each additional passenger aged six or older, who is not an ordinary resident of the Bahamas, will be subject to a $30 tax. The fee for a pleasure vessel allows for two entries into the Bahamas within a 30-day period. 

Foreign pleasure vessel fishing permit fees are also now $100 for vessels up to 34 feet and $300 for vessels over 34 feet.

A new Frequent Digital Cruising Card (FDCC) will be available under Regulation 89B. The FDCC will be valid for two years and permit unlimited visits. 

Requirements include reporting to customs upon each entry, obtaining a Pleasure Craft Request (PCR) number for subsequent voyages, payment of all applicable fees and linking the vessel’s registration number to the FDCC. 

The FDCC aims to streamline processing and reduce paperwork. FDCC fees are:

• Vessels not exceeding 34 feet in length: $1,500 
• Vessels exceeding 34 feet but not exceeding 100 feet in length: $2,500 
• Fees for vessels exceeding 100 feet in length are stated as $8,000 in one source, while another notes that FDCC pricing for vessels over 100 feet is not yet specified.

Proposed anchorage fees for foreign vessels not mooring at a marina have been amended under regulation 91B:

• Vessels not exceeding 34 feet: $200 
• Vessels exceeding 34 feet but not exceeding 100 feet: $350 
• Vessels exceeding 100 feet: $1,500 

Other regulations include changes to Seabed Lease (Section 41A), where individuals or entities undertaking activities affecting the seabed must apply for a lease of up to 25 years. Unauthorized use can lead to a $50,000 per acre penalty or imprisonment. 

A new section (28A) allows the country’s transport minister to enter agreements for lighthouse and navigational structure upkeep. New Marine Traffic Regulations (Section 6A) empower the minister to establish anchorage zones, regulate maritime cabotage, manage marine traffic services, implement measures for marine incident prevention and response, and issue navigational warnings.

Some questions for clarification remain, such as the definitive FDCC fees for vessels over 100 feet, the implementation timeline for digital systems, AIS technical specifications and enforcement procedures.

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