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Grenadines
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pBEQUIA (GRENADINES
DE ST-VINCENT)


18 sq km in area, Bequia (pronounced Bek-way) is the largest of the St Vincent dependencies. Its terrain is volcanic in origin and a ridge of hills runs from one end of the island to the other. The population is about 5000 and is a complicated mixture of mainly black African ex-slaves and old European colonists, mainly Scots and French. To those must be added fishermen from New Bedford (USA) who came in the 19th century to hunt whales and taught the skill to the local fishermen. Whale hunting still takes place at the cost of those rare cetaceans that still pass close to the coast, though the catch is stringently policed by international regulations. Each extremely rare ‘event’ is announced by a look-out and puts the whole small fishing community into a hubbub. Once aboard their frail skiffs they try to harpoon the whale and bring it back to Petit Nevis Islet in order the better to be able to cut it up and sell it in a general atmosphere of celebration. This traditional practice has naturally also resulted in the fishermen being good boat builders. Although made only from local materials and with their own inherited knowledge and skills, these local craft (or country boats) in no way lack in seaworthiness and toughness. They are now seen less often through lack of raw materials and skilled craftsmen.

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Coastline and anchorages

W coast
Roughly 6M S of St Vincent, Bequia is the first of the Grenadines you’ll come to if coming from the N. The channel between St Vincent and Bequia is narrow. Currents are often strong and when the trade wind pipes up it can be very rough. Approaching Bequia you may have to deal with some strong gusts.

Admiralty Bay
From the N enter Admiralty Bay after doubling Northwest Point. Give the shoals of Devil’s Table, marked by a W Cardinal buoy, a good berth. Caution Night entry is not advisable because the lights are unreliable.


 

     

Lower Bay and Princess Bay
These anchorages, with their fine beaches, are in the south part of Admiralty Bay. They are less crowded but often very rolly or disturbed by a sharp chop. Caution Going towards Port Elizabeth and Lower Bay, steer clear of the shoals off Princess Point. Ashore There are some small restaurants along the shore or up the hill, with a wonderful view.

Port Elizabeth
Two anchorage areas are separated by an unbuoyed channel leading to the ferry dock, which must be kept clear: • to the SE close to the village • to the north between the fuel dock and the small Daffodil water/diesel boat jetty (they will deliver). In the latter there’s a wreck with 4m over it, which has already snagged more than one anchor. Although the bay is huge there’s not often a lot of room in the SE corner because of the number of boats and moorings. Depths vary from 5m to 12m with only moderate to poor holding. Mooring buoys, for which there’s a fee, are often available. Caution There’s a speed limit of 5 knots in the anchorage, although local boats don’t pay much attention to it.

Lower Bay and Princess Bay
These anchorages, with their fine beaches, are in the south part of Admiralty Bay. They are less crowded but often very rolly or disturbed by a sharp chop. Caution Going towards Port Elizabeth and Lower Bay, steer clear of the shoals off Princess Point. Ashore There are some small restaurants along the shore or up the hill, with a wonderful view.

 

South Coast, some other moorings :

Friendship Bay
Petit Nevis
Isle Quatre
Iles Baliceaux et Battowia

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