The Tribune

EDITOR, The Tribune

A letter to the Prime Minister.

I live on a sailboat and my husband and I have spent the past three winters sailing in your beautiful country.

We are typically in The Bahamas from December through May. We have had the privilege to visit many of the islands and cays and have come to feel very much at home here.

Like many cruisers, we enjoy a quiet, peaceful anchorage. The popularity of the Exuma Land and Sea Parks are a testament to the attractiveness of such undeveloped places. Of course, we also enjoy spending time in more developed places where we can shop, dine out and meet the local residents. I know that we cruisers contribute to the local economy, particularly in those places which do not accommodate cruise ships.

Little Harbour is one of few protected anchoring places in the Abacos which provide a quiet and peaceful anchorage. It is a refuge from the busy and noisy harbours in other locations. Little Harbour is treasured by cruisers.

Throughout our travels in The Bahamas we have seen many, many partially built marinas and home developments. I am sure you are aware of these. There is a surplus of boat slips for sale and planned developments in Great Abaco Island. It seems that building a marina in Little Harbour is environmentally and economically unsustainable. It was reported in The Tribune (May 23) that “The Abaco Club had its own three-mile bay in which to build a marina”. If there is an alternate location to build a marina which will leave Little Harbour as it is, it seems the much wiser location to pursue.

I am an environmental professional with 35 years experience with development, environmental impact analysis, and water quality. In addition, I have lived full time aboard a sailboat for the past two and a half years having spent 15 months cruising throughout The Bahamas. I love this country, its friendly people and its pristine waters. The development of a new, 44-slip marina requires careful planning. Little Harbour should not be developed while other alternatives are available.

ROBIN B DAVIDOV

s/v Cerulean

Palm Cay Marina, New Providence

May 26, 2016