Clearing Customs in Bahamas - Can Friends Come Aboard ?

[nknowland]

We have friends flying into the Abacos the same time we are crossing on our sailboat. Since we cannot meet them in Marsh Harbor, they are taking the ferry to Green Turtle Cay to meet us. We probably will arrive late in the day. If the customs office is closed, can our friends come aboard if we are still under our Yellow Flag?

I've heard that only the captain is supposed to get off the boat until customs has been cleared, but what about people coming aboard?

[Woodchuck]

The customs lady in Green Turtle is really nice and often closed. I can't remember her name. You could call ahead and ask her if it would be OK. Or you could check in at West End if thats the way you're crossing.

[Lowcountry]

I keep hearing about people clearing in at New Plymouth in GTC. When I was there in 09, we were told that we had to go to Marsh Harbour to get an extension. So I take it that you can clear in at GTC, but you can't extend your stay there? Doesn't make much sense to me (we had cleared in 90 days earlier at West End).