AG pledges to support Bahamas Maritime Authority & work with transport minister on legislation to attract yachting market
NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Attorney General Ryan Pinder said yesterday that just as the government seeks to stay ahead of the class in the shipping industry, by advancing the Merchant Shipping Act, it is also seeking to make greater inroads in the yachting and private charter industry.
Pinder, while making his contribution to debate on the Merchant Shipping Bill, 2021, in the Senate yesterday, noted that the Merchant Shipping Bill is fundamental to the standing of The Bahamas internationally in merchant shipping, and one that keeps this nation at the forefront of the blue economy.
“The key will be for us to leverage legislation like this into more progressive policy advancements that will affect a wide cross section of Bahamians,” said Pinder.
These opportunities provide for well-paying jobs for Bahamians within our waters.
– Attorney General Ryan Pinder
He noted: “Just as we are doing here with the Merchant Shipping Act to stay at the head of the class and be respected worldwide, we want to be regarded as the same with respect to the yachting and private charter industry of the maritime industry.”
The attorney general noted that the yachting business is a natural market for The Bahamas, citing the growing number of private and chartered yachts that call on The Bahamas.
“The Bahamas Maritime Authority provides a straightforward, cost-effective and efficient registration procedure for private and charter yachts of 12 meters in length and above, and for passenger yachts,” said Pinder.
“The only flag with a dedicated code for small charter yachts, the BMA is a pioneering flag with a Passenger Yachts Code (PYC) to allow yachts to carry more than 12, and up to 36, passengers, meeting the growing demand from yacht owners to be able to carry more guests onboard.
“The BMA has developed specific technical and surveys requirements, tailored to small (12 to 24 meters) and large (over 24 meters) yachts in charter (commercial) or private (non-commercial) use and for private yachts in restricted charter use.”
He added: “We will support the BMA in these efforts, and I will work with my colleague, minister of transport, to ensure that the legislation and framework is world-class to better attract the yachting industry to be part of the blue economy of The Bahamas…
“We see more and more opportunities for Bahamians in this industry as crew on the charter boats. These opportunities provide for well-paying jobs for Bahamians within our waters and as I watch this industry grow year on year, I see more and more Bahamians as crew, chefs and engineers on these vessels.
“We are also seeing Bahamians become the captains of these private and charter yachts.”
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