Pipe Cay to Sampson Cay
AJAYA'S CRUISE
Phil & Nikki Hoskins
Sat 15 Feb 2014 20:01
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24:12.285N, 076:28.662W Dennis Cay
Our departure from Pipe Cay proved just as frustrating as the
events of the previous evening as we had planned to transit through this
extremely pretty area of the Exumas known as 'The Pipes'. It's an area where
cruising boats are able to find shelter from the westerly winds that come about
when cold fronts affect the Bahamas. There are many potential hazards, rocks,
coral heads and shifting sand banks to be avoided. The pilot book
suggests visual pilotage in good sunlight. Although we had placed
waypoints to get us through most of the area, we were relying on local buoyage
to get us through the first part as there is a marina and resort on nearby
Compass Cay which superyachts use. The island also has it's own airstrip which
is handy for owners or charterers flying in to spend time
aboard.
Unfortunately, we found out that the buoyage was no longer in
place and such was the flow of current through the area that it wasn't prudent
to start to input further navigational waypoints so it was back to plan B and we
retraced our footsteps from the afternoon before. If in doubt - get out, as they
say. Maybe another time.
  Sampson Cay Club - All closed
down!
Our next stop was at Sampson Cay, or close-by. Another new
anchorage for us and very pretty it was too. Until recently Sampson was an
upmarket resort and marina, with 'fine dining' available in the restaurant,
dockage for superyachts, a small store and fuel dock. Well, now it's all gone.
Well, not literally as the buildings and docks are still there. Apparently the
island's owner became tired of being told what he should or shouldn't do to run
the businesses and in a fit of pique he shut the whole complex down. Lock,
stock and barrel as they say. All around the island there are 'Keep Off' notices
and the whole place has a sad feel - such a shame really. We felt for all the
local staff that would have relied on this complex for jobs and incomes. That
said, there are so many places around the Bahamas where millions have been spent
on developments that never got off the ground. Sampson Cay was
one success story until recently, but there you go - some people are
very fickle over being told how to spend their money. Actually, we probably all
are come to that!
  Through the shallow water pass into Big Major's
Spot and on to Black Point where there was a wonderful sunset to be
enjoyed
The following morning we made our way through the surrounding
Cays passing Big Major's Spot where the piggies swim out to great boaters
bringing scraps to the beach and on to Black
Point. There we hoped to catch up with the mounting
laundry, replenish the diminishing reserves of food and beverages, collect some
more sea glass pieces and catch up with old friends.
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