All Star Liveaboards - Bahamas Trips Resuming

[All Star Liveaboards]

All Star Liveaboards is excited to announce that operations in the Bahamas will resume this Saturday, September 26.

Aqua Cat, Blackbeard's and Cat Ppalu have implemented the following protocols:

• Increased Sanitization & Cleaning
• Temperature Checks
• Check-in process adjustments
• Modified Meal Service
• Eliminating Mask & Rinse Buckets
• Mandatory COVID test before entering the Bahamas

For those wanting to join a dive liveaboard but have concerns on how to social distance, the Aqua Cat offers over 8,000 sq ft to spread out. Guests can choose to dine in the salon, on the alfresco deck or the top sun deck.

Choose your level of luxury and explore the Exuma Cays!

Prefer to wait until 2021? All Star Liveaboards' Aqua Cat is offering $500 OFF for January & February departures.

Traveling solo? Book a single occupancy cabin aboard Aqua Cat or Cat Ppalu for 20% single supplement through April 2021.

Let's Go Diving!

 

[dirtfarmer]

Can post the protocols for covid testing to enter the Bahamas?

 

[Zeke XA3]

Im not sure they will since they change and if they get them wrong they would be liable....maybe??

however this is the official government site

Office of the Prime Minister

My rough and non legally binding interpretation is....


Entry requirement for citizens, legal residents and visitors:

• Before departure to The Bahamas, a Health Visa issued by the Government of The Bahamas. To apply visit travel.gov.bs
• Before departure to The Bahamas, a RTPCR COVID-19 molecular diagnostic test with a negative result within 5 days from the date of travel
• Upon arrival to the island, mandatory quarantine at a government identified facility or any other appropriate facility as determined by the Ministry of Health, at traveler’s expense, for a period of 14 days. (Please note: hotels qualify as quarantine site).
  
  For the last point you can quarantine "in place" ie if you went straight to aquacat you would be in an "appropriate facility".
  
  The PM has said they are reviewing the 14 day quarantine and hope to remove it soon.

 

[GTA_Diving_Wonder]

The Gov't of the Bahmamas issued new rules starting Nov 1st... This might be a problem with the Day Five Rapid Test requirement, or maybe they forgive it for charters?

From The Government of The Bahamas Introduces New Travel and Testing Protocols Designed to Eliminate the Need to Quarantine

• Day Five (96 hours after arrival): Rapid Test – All persons who entered The Bahamas, and who are staying longer than four nights and five days, will be required to take a second Rapid COVID-19 antigen test. To be clear, all visitors departing on Day Five will not be required to obtain this test.

 

[Zeke XA3]

There has been no word from the government about the 5 day test yet, does it have to be done at Dr/Hospital, uploaded results or just held in hand, special testing centers set up etc etc

We can hope they forgive for charters but im not sure they will.

 

[SleepySevo]

Looking at the Procedures and Protocols site, it states there are multiple testing sites at several other islands including Eleuthera and Exuma. However, the 5-day testing rule states "Anyone traveling from New Providence to another island for longer than 5 days..." We won't be traveling to and staying on any of the islands, so honestly it doesn't apply, even if we visit an island for an afternoon.

I have a feeling that All Star will comply if necessary by going to one of the ports, otherwise it means losing a lot of money. I've left them a voicemail, but of course it's the weekend. Will update when I hear back. I'm booked to go November 28.

 

[Zeke XA3]

I had some crew over last night from their vessels, i can ask personally if i pop over to their boat today or tomorrow for you,

Not sure where you are reading from but the 5th day test is for everyone on entry from a outside the country. I am still waiting to hear personally how this is applied to yachts/liveaboards etc as the current rumour that i heard is that if a vessel is away on the 5th day they can test when they return to port, but it must be as soon as they arrive and must be an approved test port. Ie you could spent 8 days in the Exumas but must then return to Staniel or Nassau to test before you could then leave the vessel

The inter island travel rules wont apply to you as you are not moving from one population center to another (you are going Nassau to Nassau with only uninhabited stops), id have to re read the latest order to double check how that is in place now.

Im a little out of the loop as due to the bad weather (expected up to 50knts) every thing has stopped, AQUACAT trip starting yesterday has been cancelled as have a lot of vessels movement so we are all just chilling!

 

[All Star Liveaboards]

I had some crew over last night from their vessels, i can ask personally if i pop over to their boat today or tomorrow for you,

Not sure where you are reading from but the 5th day test is for everyone on entry from a outside the country. I am still waiting to hear personally how this is applied to yachts/liveaboards etc as the current rumour that i heard is that if a vessel is away on the 5th day they can test when they return to port, but it must be as soon as they arrive and must be an approved test port. Ie you could spent 8 days in the Exumas but must then return to Staniel or Nassau to test before you could then leave the vessel

The inter island travel rules wont apply to you as you are not moving from one population center to another (you are going Nassau to Nassau with only uninhabited stops), id have to re read the latest order to double check how that is in place now.

Im a little out of the loop as due to the bad weather (expected up to 50knts) every thing has stopped, AQUACAT trip starting yesterday has been cancelled as have a lot of vessels movement so we are all just chilling!

Guests staying aboard a liveaboard or charter yacht are not subject to the 5-day antigen test unless they are staying at a hotel or resort after the trip. In the event that you are extending your stay and need a test, the Bay St Marina d is a testing site. This is where the Aqua Cat is docked.

 

[Zeke XA3]

Guests staying aboard a liveaboard or charter yacht are not subject to the 5-day antigen test unless they are staying at a hotel or resort after the trip. In the event that you are extending your stay and need a test, the Bay St Marina d is a testing site. This is where the Aqua Cat is docked.

Thank you for the info , do you have a link to the relevant government order and/or proof the All star has exemption from current Bahamian Law??

The last update, Emergency Powers (Covid 19 Pandemic) (No.10) Order, 2020 posted on Nov 2nd on the Office of the Prime Minister website, states in section 17 the regulations for entry and re-testing. Nowhere in there does it state anything about anyone being exempt from the 5 day testing only that if they are out at sea on the 5th day they must test when they return. It also states the fine of $1000BHD for non compliance.

 

[SleepySevo]

Thank you for the info , do you have a link to the relevant government order and/or proof the All star has exemption from current Bahamian Law??

The last update, Emergency Powers (Covid 19 Pandemic) (No.10) Order, 2020 posted on Nov 2nd on the Office of the Prime Minister website, states in section 17 the regulations for entry and re-testing. Nowhere in there does it state anything about anyone being exempt from the 5 day testing only that if they are out at sea on the 5th day they must test when they return. It also states the fine of $1000BHD for non compliance.

I had some crew over last night from their vessels, i can ask personally if i pop over to their boat today or tomorrow for you,

Not sure where you are reading from but the 5th day test is for everyone on entry from a outside the country. I am still waiting to hear personally how this is applied to yachts/liveaboards etc as the current rumour that i heard is that if a vessel is away on the 5th day they can test when they return to port, but it must be as soon as they arrive and must be an approved test port. Ie you could spent 8 days in the Exumas but must then return to Staniel or Nassau to test before you could then leave the vessel

The inter island travel rules wont apply to you as you are not moving from one population center to another (you are going Nassau to Nassau with only uninhabited stops), id have to re read the latest order to double check how that is in place now.

Im a little out of the loop as due to the bad weather (expected up to 50knts) every thing has stopped, AQUACAT trip starting yesterday has been cancelled as have a lot of vessels movement so we are all just chilling!

Thanks so much for the info, Zeke. I'm traveling to Nassau from the US, so was wondering about the 5th day test rule since we would be out at sea. So, it looks promising. Just wondering how that will be navigated once we dock back at the Marina. I guess All Star will let us know something and will be prepared.

Hope y'all weather the storm out there safely!!