Safety Warning For Travelers to The Bahamas

The following alert was sent to us today by the Consular affairs office of the State Department. While you can never negate the risk of crime while on vacation, warnings of this nature only serve to emphasize the benefits of working with a vetted service provider. Things like this are the reason we always recommend organized tours and using the cruise line excursions where possible.

U.S. Department of State: Consular Affairs

Security Message for The Bahamas

January 5, 2016

The U.S. Embassy in Nassau advises U.S. citizens residing in and traveling to The Bahamas to be aware of their surroundings and remain on heightened alert to avoid being victims of crime.

Since July 2014, there have been five sexual assaults of U.S. citizens by jet-ski operators in Nassau, the most recent on January 2, 2016. As a result, the U.S. Embassy has prohibited personnel under U.S. Embassy Chief of Mission authority from using the services of jet-ski rental operators in Nassau. This includes jet-ski operators on Cabbage Beach and Cable Beach. We strongly advise that U.S. citizens do the same and not patronize these services. Jet-ski rentals in The Bahamas are only minimally regulated.

U.S. citizens residing in or traveling to The Bahamas should review their personal security plans. At all times, maintain a high level of vigilance and take appropriate steps to enhance your personal security. If you encounter a violent or threatening situation, try to remain calm and immediately get yourself out of harm’s way. If confronted by armed criminals, remember your vehicle or valuables are not worth your life or anyone else’s life.

If you are the victim of a crime abroad (including the loss or theft of a U.S. passport), you should immediately contact the local police (dial “911” or “919”). Contact with the Embassy should be made as soon as possible thereafter.

We strongly recommend that U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in The Bahamas enroll in the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). STEP enrollment gives you the latest security updates, and makes it easier for the U.S. embassy or nearest U.S. consulate to contact you in an emergency. If you don’t have Internet access, enroll directly with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

Regularly monitor the State Department’s website, where you can find current Travel Warnings, Travel Alerts, and the Worldwide Caution. Read the Country Specific Information for The Bahamas. For additional information, refer to the Department’s “Traveler’s Checklist”.

Contact the U.S. embassy or consulate for up-to-date information on travel restrictions. You can also call 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or 1-202-501-4444 from other countries. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays). In The Bahamas, the Embassy is located at 42 Queen Street in downtown Nassau, and can be reached at 242-322-1181.