Little Ragged Island Bahamas

Sunday 23rd March 2014  22:09.792 N  75:48.282 W  Distance sailed 82 miles

On Friday 21st in Puerto de Vita we got Shelduck ready for her next passage. Bought diesel which had to be collected from a garage in cans with a 50% extra cost for delivery. The diesel pump at the marina is broken. Next day we agreed with Janet we would leave at 15.00 planning to sail round the Grand Bahama Bank the 200 miles to Stella Maris on the North end of Long Island and check into the Bahamas there. The Harbour Master/ Immigration searched the boat at 15.00 with the Customs officer present. This search was minimal as was the one at entry. With the forms complete Shelduck was cast off immediately. As we exited the harbour mouth our waypoint was nearer the nose than I had expected so I decided to make for Ragged Island and our first foray into the Grand Bahama Bank. Wanting to make the crossing of the bank in daylight we reduced sail for a speed of 3/4 knots. During the night we crossed many ships entering and leaving the traffic separation zone between the Grand Bahama Bank and Cuba. One in particular that worried me was a tug towing we knew not what because the tow had no light at the stern. When one ship passed behind we discovered that it was very long. To let things settle I headed back towards Cuba for 20 minutes. Shelduck crossed the edge of the Bank shortly after dawn near the Two Brothers rocks and anchored off the South East point of Little Ragged Island. Anne and I rested and then enjoyed an afternoon of swimming in the crystal clear water,