Exuma Cays
NASSAU, The Bahamas--There is concern in the Exumas over government’s decision to quietly grant a 21-year lease for over 4,000 acres of seabed to a private company to operate mooring services in the Exumas and charge and collect fees.
The minister for lands, Prime Minister (PM) Philip Davis, approved a lease for Bahamas Moorings Ltd., which plans to install 250 moorings at 49 locations in the Exuma chain.
Government said in a statement issued Sunday night that it holds equity in the company, but did not explain further.
The statement came after multiple individuals raised questions and expressed concerns on social media about the moorings installations in the Exumas.
Government said the Cabinet of The Bahamas approved the project in June 2022. An official in the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) signed the lease as a witness on the company’s behalf.
Sandra Hylton Kemp, deputy director of communications in OPM, signed as an agent of Bahamas Moorings Ltd. Her husband, Philip Kemp II, is the company’s president, according to a cease and desist letter, dated February 21, 2025, written to him by Exuma Cays Administrator Christopher Adderley.
In that letter, Adderley states: “It has come to our attention that mooring buoys have been installed in the Exuma Cays without the necessary approvals from the relevant authorities. As such, you are hereby ordered to cease and desist all mooring installations and related activities immediately until official approval has been obtained from the Department of Environmental Planning and Protection (DEPP), the Port Department, the Exuma Cays District Council and any other relevant agencies. Failure to comply may result in further action being taken in accordance with the relevant laws and regulations.”
DEPP Director Dr. Rhianna Neely confirmed to “The Nassau Guardian” on Sunday that as of Friday, the company had not submitted any application for any environmental approvals.
Berne Wright, controller of the Port Department, also confirmed on Sunday that his department has not approved the company’s activities.
Chief Councillor for the Exuma Cays Kendal Black said local government gave no approval and did not know what the company was doing until after it had started the mooring installations.
“Everything went down without local government approval,” said Black, who is a resident of Black Point, Exuma.
“Everyone is just knowing about this when we saw them putting it down.”
The lease granted by the prime minister in his capacity as minister responsible for lands, is dated January 23, 2025, and took effect February 1, 2025. It is renewable after the 21-year period.
According to the lease, the initial investment is said to be $2.5 million. The approval is for 4,165.13 acres in the Exuma Cays and the company is required to pay government an annual rent of 3% of gross revenue plus value-added tax (VAT).
In its statement issued on Sunday night, government said, “In January 2025, Bahamas Moorings Ltd. was granted a lease agreement. This approval was contingent on the group obtaining all necessary governmental approvals.
“However, the government has been notified that preliminary activities under the lease agreement commenced prior to the group receiving all of the required approvals – including the requirement of public consultation. Thus, government has issued a cease and desist order.”
A Bahamas Moorings website, which appears to be under construction, says, “Our mission is to encourage eco-friendly boating in The Bahamas by providing convenient mooring buoys to which captains can proudly secure.”
It advises all vessels, captains and crew to use the company’s moorings free of charge “until our official launch at the Palm Beach International Boat Show March 19-23, 2025”.
The site also outlines mooring fees: from $25 per day for smaller vessels, up to $250 per day for super yachts.
Government said, “Under the terms of the seabed lease agreement, the Port Department will receive rental fees, and Inland Revenue will receive VAT and business license fees. When the mooring fields are functional, boaters are expected to use them and pay a fee once connected to a mooring or anchored within one of the mooring fields. The fees per vessel will range from $0.50 a day per foot for smaller vessels to $1 a day per foot for the bigger yachts.”
It added, “This initiative underscores The Bahamas’ commitment to sustainable tourism, responsible marine management, and the long-term preservation of its world-renowned marine environment.”
News of the mooring installations caught Exumians by surprise as there had been no announcement from government regarding the arrangements, and no public meeting to discuss any environmental or other implications, and to hear any concerns residents may have.
There was no request for proposals for mooring services. Government said a request for proposals was not required, “as the project is a private commercial venture, albeit in the national interest, not involving government expenditures, and was proposed to the government”.
Black said the mooring buoys have already been put down in the harbour at Black Point. He claimed they have become a hazard as the vessels navigate the area.
“They are just dropping mooring buoys without anyone’s consent. No one knows what’s happening,” he told “The Nassau Guardian”.
“Right now my community is down my throat. I’m the leader. They want some answers.”
Black said as far as he is aware the company stopped its activities after receiving the cease and desist letter.
Seeking to provide a justification for the lease, government said in its statement, “For years, unregulated anchoring has significantly damaged coral reefs and seagrass beds – critical marine habitats supporting biodiversity and carbon sequestration. Recent research by Beneath the Waves, a leading marine science organisation, has documented a 20-30% decline in seagrass coverage in parts of the Exuma Cays over the past decade, underscoring the urgent need for action.
“Installing these moorings will help preserve marine ecosystems while enhancing navigational safety by reducing anchor-related destruction and minimising seabed disturbance.”
Government gave no information about who the principals of the company are, and the OPM did not respond to a question on whether the PM viewed it appropriate for an OPM officer to be signing the lease as a witness on behalf of the company granted the lease. ~ The Nassau Guardian ~
