New fees in the Bahamas. Better sit down

Wow, here we go again.
They did the same 20 years ago doubling the Cruising Permit fee then they had to back pedal and offer a free entry if you came back within a year, even so each entry office could do their own policy.
Once I came to check in with $150 in the pocket as my boat was 33’. The Custom Officer said there was a change and now my fee was $300.
Told them I would go back to the boat for more cash but instead cast off the dock lines and sailed back to Florida.
Enjoyed my 30+ Bahamas cruises but doubt I will go back, especially now..

We have been guilty of loading up with ship’s stores in preparation for Bahamas cruising, but have also been pretty generous with local restaurants and bars in the Bahamas mainly Bimini, North Cat Cay, Chubb Cay and Staniel. (Nassau only as a last resort)

Yes, Cruising Permits have been relatively inexpensive for big boats, agree with you there Capt. Ken, but $350 to anchor? Wow.
In the past the right to navigate territorial waters have also included the right to anchor. (With a few exceptions, like in residential canals, in front of of marinas, etc)

The proposed fee structure will not keep me from cruising the Bahamas again. I disagree with the notion that most cruisers don’t spend significant money there. I will load up before I go but I can’t store enough to sustain my family for more than 10 days or so much less a month. My memory for numbers is not what it used to be but I am pretty sure my annual month long cruise is easily 20,000 for a family of 4. We heavily favor marinas due to dogs and wife’s preferences. Same for eating dinners out. We generally eat lunch on board. All of the above being said boating is getting VERY expensive even not going to the Bahamas. Just spent 2 weeks in the keys and the keys and SE FL the average slip rate was 5-6/ft. It seems that business and government are seeing just how much people can/will pay. I think a significant recession would help bring some of these costs down. I don’t wish for that. I believe in economics there’s a name for when the price becomes so high that it kills demand. I am not there yet as boating has been a passion of mine since i was 9 years old reading neighbors left over boating magazines. Since I am mostly retired I am taking measures to keep the costs down, such as anchoring out, taking on more maintenance matters, and managing the boat myself instead of a yard.