The Tribune

Dear Sir,

Re: Licences to explore and protect Ancient Wrecks on and below the Bahamas Seabed

I represent one of the 18 salvage companies that have applied for a Search and Exploration Licence since the lifting of the moratorium was announced in 2006, and again in 2013.

Having paid the required Government fee of $1,000, I was informed that I would receive my approval within 90 days, or an answer stating why it had been denied, as laid down in the Government regulations. That was in April 2012, and up until now I have neither sight nor sound of it, despite numerous phone calls and flights to the Bahamas at great personal expense.

The salvage business is a very expensive undertaking, requiring large financial assets, boats, equipment and manpower, and none of these can just sit around for indefinite periods of time. The crew members, archaeologist and doctor have families, and they need to have a specific deadline. It has been over two years since our project was supposed to commence and, needless to say, our credibility, as well as that of the Bahamas Government, has worn thin.

Ever since the outset, we have received nothing but empty promises, excuses and delays. Consequently, but not surprisingly, our investors are becoming impatient as time rolls on and they see no sign of a licence. Yet Panama and Turks & Caicos are issuing licences, and no doubt Cuba and Haiti will, too.

It is really difficult to understand why the Bahamian Government has been dragging its feet and why, out of common courtesy, after collecting $18,000 from applicants, nobody has received any communication from them regarding a proposed date for receipt of a licence.

After all, according to the Bahamian law underpinning the licences, the Bahamas would receive a 25 per cent share of any artifacts and treasure retrieved, as well as profiting from the publicity it would produce for the country, and the enrichment of her cultural heritage. Apart from all that, local Bahamians would be hired, local produce would be bought to feed the crew, and the economy of the Bahamas would get a boost.

I, for one, am very frustrated with this long, drawn-out situation, as are others, I’m quite sure, and I would appreciate some indication in writing regarding the issue of a licence. If for some reason the Bahamas Government is reneging on their promise, I think it only fair that they let us know what is going on and return the application fee.

Up until now I had always considered the Bahamas to be a very responsible Caribbean country, and I am very disappointed with the way this matter has been treated.

Signed

A Dissatisfied Applicant