Bahamas

[wreckdiver1715]

We made it back home to Florida from Las Vegas late last night. Tomorrow we are off to one of the out Islands of the Bahamas for our next Treasure hunting expedition in search of more lost shipwreck treasure.

 

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[old man]

Good Luck, Fair Winds and I hope you hit the Mother Lode.

 

[cornelis 816]

Tom . I don't understand how you can search , let alone salvage wrecks in the Bahama's without a permit . If it is easy to get a permit I like to go after the Sterncastle of the Maravilla . Help me on my way if you can . Cornelius

 

[DennisB]

Good luck Tom!

 

[comfortably numb]

"Tom . I don't understand how you can search , let alone salvage wrecks in the Bahama's without a permit ."

Over here on the mudcoast we call it wrecreational diving, and spear fishing.

 

[aquanut]

Good Luck Tom!
Believe me, Pete and I will be green with envy. Even the latest site we're investigating is only one foot of vis. But that is one foot better than the last site! The Bahamas would be the BOMB!!!
Aquanut

 

[wreckdiver1715]

Yes, you are absolutely correct that permits are required to salvage shipwrecks in the Bahamas. They can be obtained thru the Ministry of Transport. The Bahamian government had a moratorium on shipwreck salvage for like the last ten years. However, that changed last year when the government lifted the moratorium.

http://laws.bahamas.gov.bs/statutes/statute_CHAPTER_274.html
https://forms.bahamas.gov.bs/dp_form.asp?fid=115

I will not be diving anywhere near the Maravilla on this trip, and I thought that Robert Marx salvaged that wreck many years ago. If he left anything behind, I say we go get her Cornelius.

That and as Comfortably Numb put it I will be doing some wrecreational diving… and don't forget some lobster hunting as well.
John, if I find anything I need help recovering, you and Pete are on the top of my list. Let's hope I need to call you guys soon. Keep the Passport current.

Thanks guys, I will try to get some pictures posted.

Tom

 

[signumops]

I've heard rumors about Bahamas opening up some. Hope you are right!! I'd go to Cay Sal.

 

[jeff k]

I've heard rumors about Bahamas opening up some. Hope you are right!! I'd go to Cay Sal.

I heard Dave Horner had a lease there some time ago. Do you know what he was looking for?

Here's an email I received in 2001. John passed away several years ago.

"I did hear a story once about a dredge that was working somewhere around Cay Sal Bank. By the way, I believe it was Dennis who told me this story. So the story went, this dredge was cutting a channel. They would communicate with their office daily. When the office didn't hear from the dredge one day, the office sent out a boat to find out what was the matter. When they got to the dredge, it was abandoned. A new crew was assigned and when the new crew started the dredge they discovered the cutter head was jammed. When they inspected the cutter head, they discovered a gold bar was jamming the head. The story was that the crew dredged up some gold bars and when the head got stuck they took what they had and split. Now, I have to tell you,I have a lot of trouble believing even this story. Well, this is the only story I have about Cay Sal Bank. And only a story with no evidence to verify it what so ever."

John Doering

 

[Rogue Pirate]

I can't find any official record of the moratorium being lifted. Can someone point me in the right direction? Thank You. RP

 

[signumops]

I went to Cay Sal on the "Hi There" head boat out of the Holiday Isle in Islamorada, frequently. Went to Water Cay, but sometimes would wander inside the bank too. Ballast piles here and there. Water is fantastically clear most of the time. Not necessarily a great place to be without a gun though. Desolate, but fantastic. Situated in the right place to kill ships.

 

[fladiverdown]

Does one need to clear at Bimini before heading onto the Cay Sal from Florida?

 

[aquanut]

Thanks Tom,
Good Luck, but most importantly, be safe and have fun.
Aquanut

 

[wreckdiver1715]

Thanks John I will. Theresa and I are just about to head up to the north end of the island to explore "Preachers Cave" and the beaches up that way.

 

[aquanut]

Tom,
That sounds like fun! Tell your beautiful wife I said Hi!
Aquanut

 

[signumops]

We used to stop by Cay Sal itself where there were 2 Bahamians. We'd leave a gallon of ice cream and a bottle of Jack Daniels along with an 'appropriate' landing fee. This was 35 years ago, so I have no idea what the procedure is today. In the meantime, between the Cuban Rafters, the drug runners and the pirates, you never know what's coming next. I seem to recall a State Representative being killed over there on his own yacht mysteriously some years back, along with his wife.
Cay Sal was owned by Howard Hughs... he bought it as an ad-hoc rep of the U.S. prior to the failed Cuban invasion back in the early 60's. There used to be a very rough landing strip on it.

 

[CanadianTrout]

Good luck wreckdiver! Play safe and pls post lots of pics for peeps like me that have to live vicariously through guys like you.

Mucho gracias!

 

[Salvor6]

You have to go thru customs at Bimini before heading to Cay Sal. Then, you have to go thru customs AGAIN before heading back to FL or else they will come looking for you. That is what the charter dive boats do.

 

[fladiverdown]

Thanks. I was there without clearing many years ago - didn't see any one for the two days we were there. We had been told that the Bahamians kept a couple of troops stationed there. I remember the airfield had recently been blown up to keep drug dealers from landing their aircraft.
Also remember large blue holes, big fish and big lobster. Some of the best diving I had done at my young age (17). Definately beautiful with a spooky vibe. I would agree that the Cay Sal has eaten at least a few galleons back in the day.
Different note: Caught a couple of very large Swordfish in 1979 / 1980 longlining just north of Cay Sal.

 

[{Sentinel}]