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‘Aggressive bar’ set by $40m cruise port loan By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net A US institutional investor “has set a pretty aggressive bar” for other lenders to match by supplying Nassau Cruise Port with $40m towards its construction financing needs, its chief executive revealed yesterday. Michael Maura told Tribune Business the Prince George Wharf developer was talking to multiple other institutional lenders/investors about providing the remaining $60m-$70m in required debt funding, as he disclosed that this might be placed “in tranches” rather than via a second bond offering as previously planned. Besides confirming Nassau Cruise Port’s increased financial flexibility, Mr Maura also revealed the Government has

• US lender cuts debt needs to $60m/$70m • Cabinet Office ‘levelled’ in six to seven weeks • Confident $25m Bahamian IPO ‘oversubscribed’ NASSAU CRUISE PORT. given its contractor the go-ahead to “demolish and level” the Cabinet Office building in Rawson Square as well as the Adderley Building to which it is linked.

The demolition is forecast to last between six to seven weeks, with workers presently removing asbestos from the Churchill Building that contains the existing

Cabinet Office. Mr Maura said the site will then become a temporary green space and parking area for government employees prior to the construction of a new Cabinet Office location. The Nassau Cruise Port chief also voiced confidence that the

$25m initial public offering (IPO) of a collective 49 percent stake to small Bahamian retail investors, scheduled for October 2021, will be “oversubscribed” despite COVID-19’s impact on

SEE PAGE 8

Gov’t urged: Get SOEs into procurement ‘fold’ By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net ANTI-CORRUPTION campaigners yesterday urged the Government to make it “a priority” that state-owned enterprises (SOEs) use the electronic procurement processes amid recent controversy over contract awards. Matt Aubry, the Organisation for Responsible Governance’s (ORG) executive director, told Tribune Business that there was a perception that the likes of Bahamasair and the Water & Sewerage Corporation operate “outside the fold” as he called for them to be “brought into line with other areas of government” on tendering and bidding processes. The long-awaited Public Procurement Act comes into effect today just days after controversy erupted over the Water & Sewerage

• Campaigners urge: ‘Bring them into line’ with new Act • Anti-corruption group to call for stalled legislation’s revival • Effort key to reducing ‘corruption and maladministration’ Corporation’s 2018 awarding of cleaning, maintenance and painting contracts to Elite Maintenance, a company which was allegedly represented in a legal capacity by the then-financee of the utility’s executive chairman, Adrian Gibson.

MATT Aubry.

SEE PAGE 4

Nassau targets 62.5% increase in cruise calls COMMONWEALTH BREWERY.

Kalik maker sees profitability return By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net COMMONWEALTH Brewery produced a more-than $7.32m bottom line reversal to return to profitability in the 2021 second quarter, with its revival aided by relaxed COVID restrictions and a more open economy. The BISX-listed brewer was also up against weak comparatives as the year-before period featured the harshest pandemic lockdown measures, enabling it to enjoy a 63.7 percent or near $11m year-over-year increase in top-line revenue. And it received a further boost from a $1.2m revaluation

SEE PAGE 4

By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net NASSAU Cruise Port is projecting a 62.5 percent in monthly cruise ship calls between September and December 2021, it was revealed yesterday, with demand exceeding available berths in the Christmas run-up. Michael Maura, the Prince George Wharf operator’s chief executive, told Tribune Business that it was having to carefully manage demand on the Saturdays leading up to Christmas given that seven ships were seeking to be accommodated at just six berths. “The demand for our berths remains very strong,” he revealed. “We have a number of Saturdays in December where we have seven requests but only six berths. We’re working through this and managing the allocations of berths. “In some cases, it’s as easy as asking if a particular cruise line can call on Nassau on Friday or Sunday, and their private island on Saturday. We don’t want to lose the business, and are very fortunate these cruise lines have private islands so that

A MAN stands on the rubble of his home in the Haitian Quarter, after the passage of the Hurricane Dorian in Abaco, Bahamas, Monday, Sept. 16, 2019. Photo:Ramon Espinosa/AP

Securing Abaco’s lifeline must be ‘absolute priority’ • Chamber chief makes plea to next Gov’t • Island closes down for Dorian memorial • Call for three-year tax breaks ‘window’ By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

MICHAEL MAURA. they can shuffle between them and Nassau because we’re just in such high demand.” Mr Maura said Nassau Cruise Port’s berth bookings forecast suggested The Bahamas’ cruise tourism sector was set for a steady rebound over the remainder of 2021. While the industry’s June return saw just six cruise lines call on Nassau that month, those numbers rose to 25 in July and 44 for August. For September, 80 cruise ship calls from Florida and US-based vessels are forecast, with that number increasing progressively throughout the remainder of 2021 with 110

SEE PAGE 8

ABACO’S Chamber of Commerce president yesterday pleaded with the next administration to make rebuilding its sea port an “absolute priority” as the island closes down today to remember Dorian’s victims. Ken Hutton, speaking as Abaco marks the second anniversary of the catastrophic Category Five storm’s landfall, told Tribune Business that only government offices and banks will be open on the island today as residents stage a memorial to commemorate those who lose their lives and the trauma all suffered. “Abaco is closed tomorrow [today],” he confirmed to this newspaper. “All the

private sector got together and are closing. The whole community came together and decided that no one is working. The only people that will be open are government buildings and the banks. “We will remember everyone not here with us, and remember what we went through. It’s a memorial. There are two to three services, two to three events, that are planned for it. A couple of community events.” With the subsequent COVID-19 pandemic, and associated lockdowns, restrictions and infection outbreaks, further delaying reconstruction and rebuilding efforts, Mr Hutton urged the Government - and especially the administration that is elected to

SEE PAGE 5

PAGE 2, Wednesday, September 1, 2021

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BTC targets 3,000 more families on Internet drive THE Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) is aiming to deliver increased broadband Internet speeds to around 3,000 more families through its continued fibre-to-thehome network roll-out. The carrier, in a statement yesterday, said it was working to deliver up to 600 megabits per second (Mbps) of broadband speed to customers in the Carmichael corridor to coincide with the new school year’s start. Andre Foster, BTC’s chief executive, said: “Our students are returning to school in a virtual setting for a second year. As the leading telecoms provider, we know how important it is for students to have dependable connectivity services. “Our teams have literally worked every single day

ANDRE FOSTER, BTC’s chief executive, on the ground with the company’s sales team in the Marshall Road area. From L to R: BTC sales team members Anquanela Laing, Richtrell Morley, Mr Foster, Jamaal Fernander and Danneka Newbold

over the last year-and-ahalf to expand our fibre to the home network across the country, and communities are benefiting from the upgrade. We are now working in the populated Carmichael Road corridor, where more than 3,000 new customers will benefit

from upgraded broadband speeds.” The communities to be upgraded include portions of Coral Harbour, Faith Avenue, Gladstone Road, Bacardi Road, Cowpen Road and Carmichael Road West. The upgrades are scheduled to be completed by end-August, and

customers are eligible for three months free landline service when signing up for BTC’s broadband product. “We’ve made our offers cost effective for parents. When signing up for BTC+ plans, customers will receive two Samsung devices, and new Internet customers will also receive

a free Samsung Galaxy A7 tablet,” Mr Foster added. “This is a great deal for parents getting their children ready for back to school. Even residents that don’t have school-aged children can take advantage of this offer and gift the tablet to a relative or another child in need in the community.” BTC’s fibre-to-the-home services extend throughout Flamingo Gardens, Sunshine Park, Sea Beach Estates, Tropical Gardens, Yuma Estates, Westridge North, pockets of Carmichael Road and the entire eastern New Providence. Outside Nassau, the network is present in Black Point, Farmers

Hill and Staniel Cay in Exuma; Eight Mile Rock, Fortune Bay, Lucaya, Martin Town, Lincoln Green, Royal Bahamia, Silver Cove and Freeport on Grand Bahama; Dundas Town, Murphy Town, Marsh Harbour and the surrounding Cays in Abaco; San Salvador; Crooked Island; Rum Cay; Ragged Island; Bimini, portions of Eleuthera; and Hawk’s Nest in Cat Island). BTC said work continues in Marshall Road, Misty Gardens, Shrimp Road and Hamster Road on New Providence, and the company expects to complete these areas by October 2021.

BAHAMAS’ BONEFISH INDUSTRY ‘WORLD’S GREATEST LABORATORY’ THE Bahamas has been branded “the world’s greatest living laboratory” for a bonefish industry that provides an annual $169m boost for its economy. Researchers working under the Florida-based non-profit, Bonefish & Tarpon Trust (BTT), based their declaration on more than a decade of findings resulting from tagging, tracking and sampling bonefish. These findings identified important habitats, movements and spawning areas. “We consider The Bahamas to be the world’s greatest living laboratory for bonefish research,” said BTT president and chief executive, Jim McDuffie. “By studying healthy bonefish populations in healthy habitats, we’ve been able to learn what makes them tick relatively quickly, which is

TAGGED Bahamas bonefish. Photo:Justin Lewis/Bonefish Tarpon Trust helping us to advance conservation locally and across the region.” BTT was founded in 1998 in response to a seemingly rapid decline of bonefish in the Florida Keys. The search for answers eventually led the organisation to expand its research programmes to The Bahamas. One critical study area is bonefish spawning. BTT scientists and collaborating

researchers have collected previously unknown information about bonefish spawning behaviour and reproductive biology. And, with the help of local guides, they have identified and documented several bonefish pre-spawning aggregation sites. Not only is the research in these living laboratories leading to new discoveries about bonefish, said Justin

Lewis, a Freeport native who serves as BTT’s Bahamas initiative manager, but documentation of these spawning areas is also a first step in securing their future conservation. “We’ve seen numerous spawning aggregations of between 1,000 and 10,000 fish, and tracked one aggregation down to 400 feet. The dive to these depths, and what it reveals about the requirements for effective spawning, is new to science and important for us to understand,” said Mr Lewis. “This is especially true when it comes to addressing human activities that might impact spawning or the spawning migration between the flats and the offshore spawning areas.” From its office in Freeport, BTT has collaborated with civic and

environmental groups to reconnect a mangrove creek that had been disconnected from the sea by an old logging road, and to greatly expand outreach and education programmes, including the development of a school curriculum focusing on flats ecology. BTT recently embarked on an effort to plant 100,000 mangroves to restore vital mangrove ecosystems decimated by Hurricane Dorian. More than 10,000 mangroves have been planted by volunteer groups since last spring. Mr Lewis said conservation of flats fishery is an important economic driver. Anglers travel to The Bahamas from around the world to chase bonefish, contributing to the economy by paying fishing lodges and guides, and shopping at

local stores and dining at local restaurants. “The bonefish fishery has an annual economic impact exceeding $169m,” said Mr Lewis, “with much of that occurring in the Family Islands. In fact, on some islands the bonefish fishery is the biggest economic contributor. “BTT, along with our collaborating scientists and local partners, have made amazing progress over the past decade-plus of research and education. Although this has already resulted in improved conservation, we know there is much more to do. This benefits The Bahamas, but it’s great to know that this work is also being applied to conservation of the species across the Caribbean Basin.”

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Wednesday, September 1, 2021, PAGE 3

Gov’t urged to create COVID-19 regulatory ‘level playing field’

By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net THE Government was yesterday urged to create a COVID-19 regulatory ‘level playing field’ so that massage and spa therapists can join counterparts in similar industries that have already returned to work. Anton Minnis, vicepresident of the Bahamian Cosmetologists and Barbers Association (BCBA), told Tribune Business that the Government-mandated closure of massage therapists and spas in a bid to contain the latest COVID-19

outbreak was unfair given that other professions - such as physiotherapists and dentists - were in similar close contact with their clients but have been allowed to continue operating. He said: “We have an issue with the fact that they’ve closed down the estheticians and massage therapists, and we’ve not heard of any reopening of them. “In our view, massage therapists would be in line with your physiotherapists, and the estheticians are in line with the dentists in terms of their proximity to people and exposure. So it would be good if we take that into consideration and just ask them to employ

the same measures that the physiotherapists and the dentists employ, and let them be functional. I would appreciate that greatly.” The BCBA’s membership covers barbers; hair salons and hair stylists; nail technicians; massage parlours; and spas. However, the Prime Minister’s Office mandated in July that spas will not be permitted to operate, including for massages, waxing, threading and facials. This will continue until the COVID emergency orders end. “We just want them to employ their safety protocols on a medical level and let them work,” reiterated Mr Minnis. “We sent a letter to the Government

‘BIG TICKET ITEMS’ RESOLVED OVER BPL INDUSTRIAL DEAL By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net THE Bahamas Electrical Workers Union (BEWU) yesterday moved to secure its members’ approval of a new industrial agreement with Bahamas Power & Light (BPL) after “some of the big ticket items” were resolved. Kyle Wilson, the line staff union’s president, told Tribune Business he was confident that members will sign-off on the latest proposal sent to him by BPL management. He said: “Some of the big ticket items have been worked out. I’m still waiting on the information for the insurance policy, as that is still before the courts. But a lot of the issues have been worked out and we’re still at the table. There is nothing bigger than the contract.”

The BEWU chief said that once his members ratified the proposed industrial agreement, “there will probably be a meeting and then a signing off” involving both union and BPL representatives. The potential deal has been reached less than two weeks after BEWU members staged a protest outside BPL’s Blue Hill Road office on August 19, where Mr Wilson accused BPL management of stalling on resolving outstanding issues related to negotiations over a new industrial agreement. The previous deal expired in 2018. Other grievances cited by Mr Wilson were what he branded as a lack of transparency over BPL’s employee insurance, plus pay increases and safety concerns at the utility’s work sites. However, Mr Wilson said: “In all honesty I am satisfied that, considering that these are the times we

BAHAMIAN INSURER: TOO EARLY ON CORPORATE TAX By YOURI KEMP Tribune Business Reporter ykemp@tribunemedia.net A MAJOR Bahamian insurer yesterday said it was too early to predict whether the industry will be impacted by the G-20 drive for a 15 percent minimum global corporate tax rate. Patrick Ward, Bahamas First’s president and chief executive, told Tribune Business that while other Caribbean jurisdictions are raising concerns he was not alarmed because no global agreement has been reached over the details surrounding a minimum corporate tax, how it will be implemented and the accompanying rules. Arguing that it was unwise to speculate, Mr Ward said: “I don’t necessarily know enough about the final details to make any firm assessment on that. Until we have a clearer sense on how industry is going to be impacted, and how it may filter down, I think it is premature to say it will impact us negatively in the long run.” Other Caribbean insurers are voicing their concerns, though, particularly those in the eastern Caribbean and south-eastern Caribbean, about the impact a global minimum corporate tax may have on their reinsurance partners and the knock-on implications for them Randy Graham, chief executive of Massy United Insurance in Barbados, told the Bermudian Royal Gazette he was watching the situation closely. He said

the proposals being vetted by the G-20 countries might impact companies that provide reinsurance in the Caribbean region. Paul Traboulay, chief operating officer and chief risk officer of Guardian Holdings Group, added: “Pressure is now being brought to bear on specific reinsurers, who are providing support to our insurers. That will create an additional challenge within a very narrow timeframe. And it is a source of worry for the future.” However, Mr Ward added: “I think the other thing to consider is that there is a minimum size requirement for companies to have a certain revenue in order to fall into that tax category of companies that are going to be caught up in this. “I don’t really understand how that is going to play out yet, but I know The Bahamas government has indicated that they are in favour of this development. But then again, until the rules are fleshed out in detail, we will just have to wait and see. “We also have to see what minimum-sized companies they are looking for. This is not intended to apply to ‘mom and pop’ stores or companies below a certain size in terms of revenue. We’re just not sure what that’s going to be.” Mr Ward said all Bahamas First’s reinsurers pay tax other countries, so it should not be difficult for them to meet the 15 percent minimum requirement. “It will depend on the roll out of the corporate tax,” he added.

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are facing, the Government would pause to recognise the cry of its people, especially with us here at BPL, so I give God thanks for that. “But it’s up to them now. Ultimately, the decision is with the membership. I’m just the messenger and I don’t even really have a vote on it. I would just take it to the people and let them decide.” Mr Wilson also warned: “A lot of situations are still before conciliation and before the tribunals. We are still trying to hammer out as we go along, slowly but surely. But this was a big question mark as far as the future and a contract was concerned. The majority of the members so far have expressed a positive view that what is being offered is fair based on what we are facing as a country.”

but we have gotten no response. “I think they are a bit overwhelmed with the cases right now, which is understood. But we definitely want to partner with them in any way that we can because our protocols are similar. Medicine came out of barbering and cosmetology, so with that being the case we really would like to partner with the Government on a deeper level.” Mr Minnis continued: “Our president has gone in and spoken with them. We have established some courses through the Ministry of Health for certain certifications that we can

do to show just how much we want to comply, but we expect things to move along very slowly.” The return to virtual education has also meant that there was not traditional back-to-school business pick-up for barbers again this year. “The schools are not going to require that the students sit in front of the camera and be groomed, so we are not having a heavy back to school rush like we did in the past,” Mr Minnis added. “The appointment system for us is the way forward because we don’t see us getting out of the threat of COVID-19. We may come

out of the pandemic but we won’t be done with the threat of COVID-19. “So the way forward is that we keep the appointment system. I think it is working well for quite a bit of people, too, for clients as well as store owners, because you are able to track yourself better and have more control of your immediate environment.” Andrea Russell, owner/ operator of T&S Beauty Salon, added: “We have to do appointments because of the COVID-19 restrictions. The appointments are good for now. We can stick with the appointments.”

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GOV’T URGED: GET SOES INTO PROCUREMENT ‘FOLD’ FROM PAGE ONE Mr Gibson subsequently rejected any claims of wrongdoing or impropriety relating to the Elite Maintenance contracts, adding that their issuance was approved by the Board. The Progressive Liberal Party (PLP), though, has called for a probe into the controversy by the police and Attorney General’s Office. Mr Aubry yesterday said that adhering to the new Act, in particular using the Government’s e-Procurement Supplier Registry of all vendors eligible to bid on a contract, and issuing tenders through the accompanying portal together with bidder scores, would help eliminate many of the claims and finger-pointing relating to public sector contracts. However, he added that the Public Procurement Act needed to be accompanied

by the passage of the Integrity Commission Bill and Ombudsman’s Bill - two pieces of legislation that were left on the drawing board when the Prime Minister dissolved Parliament last month. Mr Aubry said ORG is due to issue “an open call” to all the political parties “to keep” those Bills on their agenda and pass them if elected to office. And he praised the PLP for including them and other anti-corruption legislation in its “Blueprint for Change”, describing this as a “heartening” development. Pledging that ORG will closely watch the Public Procurement Act’s implementation, Mr Aubry said: “We know that the Public Procurement Act is a key part of any anti-corruption effort. The e-procurement system is a major step forward. We’ve been calling

for its full enactment, and it’s important to see the registry process open and fully functioning. “That’s a game changer related to public procurement, making it more open, transparent and open to a broader base of business. That’s crucial for any government looking to stimulate the economy by privatising spending on infrastructure projects, and making sure that it reaches as many local vendors as possible is key. “It enhances competitiveness, ensures a more transparent process in that people are registered, and as bids are awarded each company can see its scores and those of competitors. It also reduces the potential for corruption and maladministration, and is definitely an opportunity to improve our governance at this time.”

When it came to the Water & Sewerage Corporation controversy, Mr Aubry said he backed the recommendations made by procurement specialist Daniel Ferguson in his Tribune Business article yesterday that “there should be an effort and a priority that SOEs are utilising the procurement registry”. The ORG chief added: “It’s been identified that these SOEs are a potential area that is outside the fold, decisions are not made through a central contracting mechanism, and that they need to be brought in line with other areas of government.... “I think it highlights the need for the procurement registry to be fully operational and in place as the standard and universal mechanism, but also calls for the passage of the

Integrity Commission Bill and Ombudsman’s Bill. “They would establish an independent space where conflict of interest concerns can be looked at and vetted. There needs to be a space outside the political arena that looks at these things, and either disavows them or takes further action if needed. It’s important that the public understands these mechanisms, how these issues can be solved and what the required process is,” Mr Aubry continued. “It brings the process into a more open space, and can increase and improve our reputation - both locally and internationally - relating to the way we address these issues and that’s a really important component of restoring confidence so we can have as many strategic investments as we need.”

Kalik maker sees profitability return FROM PAGE ONE gain on the worth of one of its Grand Bahama properties, which went straight to boost the bottom line. Hit hard last year by the tourism industry’s shutdown, rising unemployment and reduced incomes, and restrictions on bars, restaurants and nightclubs, as well as alcohol sales generally, the vertically-integrated

brewer, distributor and retailer, said: “Commonwealth Brewery (CBL) experienced a dramatic increase in net revenue during the second quarter – up 63.7 percent when compared to the second quarter of 2020. “This increase was expected as the country continues its slow return to normalcy, inclusive of the ease of government-levied

restrictions, the reduction in unemployment and a sharp boost in tourist arrivals. This is in stark contrast to the same period last year during which the country was in the middle of the economic downturn due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in particular the halt of tourism, and the cessation by government of alcoholic sales.”

Commonwealth Brewery’s top-line revenue for the three months to end-June 2021 was up yearover-year by 64.5 percent, climbing to $29.965m compared to just $18.217m the prior year. Net revenues rose from $16.527m in the 2020 second quarter to just over $27m. “In the second quarter, operating expenses increased by more than $4m or 20.9 percent compared to the same period in 2020,” the Kalik maker said. “The uptick in expenses during the period was due to an increase in the cost of raw materials, consumables and services. “These were inclusive of an increase in production

and utility costs as we ramped up business to meet consumer demand during this period as opposed to last year when our business came to a halt due to the restrictions imposed to curb the spread of COVID-19. “However, it must be noted that there was only a marginal increase of 0.1 percent in costs for the first half of 2021 over the comparative period in 2020, illustrating that our cost mitigating strategies have been effective.” As a result, Commonwealth Brewery generated $4.448m in total comprehensive income for the 2021 second quarter compared to a $3.005m loss the year before. That was sufficient

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Affirming that ORG has far from given up on the Integrity Commission Bill and Ombudsman’s Bill, Mr Aubry said: “In the next day or two we are going to be putting out an open call for those seeking office to keep these pieces of legislation on the agenda and pass them, in addition to enhancing debt management and ensuring that, as we look at revenue generation, we focus on making sure expenditure in government is as efficient and effective as possible.” Praising the PLP for making this pledge, he added that it was critical that voters hold the parties to account on when and how these Bills would be passed “so a promise does not sit there for four years. It’s important that these are not just passed but included in the actions of the incoming administration”. to wipe out its minor first quarter loss and produce a total comprehensive profit of $4.164m for the first half or six months to end-June. “Consequently, in the second quarter, Commonwealth Brewery experienced a net profit of $3.248m which is in stark comparison to the net loss of $3.005m suffered during the same period last year,” the BISX-listed company said. “Overall, Commonwealth Brewery realised comprehensive income of $4.164m for the first six months in 2021. This was inclusive of a revaluation gain of $1.2m on one of our main properties in Grand Bahama. Management will continue to adjust its business strategies as we continue to restore operating results to pre-COVID 19 levels.”

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Wednesday, September 1, 2021, PAGE 5

Cable unveils TV line-up reforms By NEIL HARTNELL Tribune Business Editor nhartnell@tribunemedia.net CABLE Bahamas yesterday said its REV TV subscribers will enjoy improved choice and, potentially, lower costs as a result of its newly-introduced package line-up that takes effect from today. The BISX-listed communications provider, in a statement, said the revised

TV package line-up could translate into “substantial cost savings on monthly bills”. It explained that this will be largely due to the removal of so-called “paywall” requirements for premium content such as HBO and Fox. Previously, to purchase premium subscriptions, Cable Bahamas customers had to buy REVTV Pro, a second tier subscription. Under the new structure,

customers will be able to enjoy any premium content they wish with REVTV Prime, REV’s basic TV package. Odette Russell, REV’s senior commercial director, said: “Upon receiving URCA’s approval for our restructuring, we worked aggressively to finalise this transition and achieve this latest feat in our quest of bringing an enhanced TV

experience to all our TV subscribers. “No longer will REV TV customers have to take on gateway packages to access premium content. They will have the freedom to add premium or a la cart packages to their basic service, allowing them to customise by preference and pocket.” Cable Bahamas said the repackaging initiative was launched in response to years of feedback

from subscribers, and aims to offer viewers the affordable, personalised TV experience they desire. Subscribers will see a shift from assorted packages to smaller genre-based TV packages. These new package options allow viewers to enjoy more of the content they want, without paying for the content they do not. These packages include Kids; News

and Science; Lifestyle REV Rhythms; and Sports. Customers will be given a taste of these new packages with a free preview week that started on August 29 and will last until September 5. While these changes come into effect today, subscribers wishing to make changes to their existing plans can contact REV’s REV Imagine Team

SECURING ABACO’S LIFELINE MUST BE ‘ABSOLUTE PRIORITY’ FROM PAGE ONE office on September 16 - to fully commit to seeing Abaco’s rebuilding through to completion. And he warned that key infrastructure assets vital to the revival of Abaco’s economy remain in need of urgent attention, with Marsh Harbour’s sea port “lifeline” still largely in its original post-Dorian state of disrepair and the Leonard Thompson International Airport suffering from broken down generators and air conditioning units. While the latter asset has been included in the Government’s private-public partnership (PPP) initiative to upgrade Family Island airports, Mr Hutton said: “We just need the Government committed to allowing Abaco to rebuild. “We need the port rebuilt, which has been going on for two years, and we need the airport put back in shape. The generator is not operational, and the A/C is not operational. Marsh Harbour is basically the same. All we’ve done is put up a fence and clean up the garbage. That’s where we stand.” Mr Hutton estimated that communities such as Dundas Town and Murphy Town were around 50

percent rebuilt, but added: “That’s not where we should be at this point. The downtown [Marsh Harbour] core has progressed significantly over the last couple of months, and is probably at 50-60 percent. There’s a lot more progress, with people rebuilding and reconstructing.” The Chamber chief, though, said his concerns over Marsh Harbour’s Dorian-battered sea port have not lessened. Unless this is addressed urgently, the port’s ongoing post-hurricane waiver from having to comply with global maritime security standards implemented after the September 11, 2001, terror attacks could be in jeopardy. If the present exemption from the International Shipping and Port Security (ISPS) standard is discontinued, it would result in vessels bringing in reconstruction and daily supplies to Abaco being unable to return directly to the US. Such a development would force these cargo vessels to instead offload their goods in Nassau or Freeport rather than Abaco, resulting in increased costs and extra time to get vital products to homeowners and businesses still rebuilding their Dorian-ravaged

properties, thus stalling the reconstruction efforts. Senator Dion Foulkes, minister of transport and local government, subsequently revealed that the Government was exploring a public-private partnership (PPP) arrangement to revive Abaco’s main shipping port, with private capital and development/management expertise sought to oversee this process. “The Marsh Harbour port is even more critical [than the airport] in the opinion of the business community because that is our lifeline,” Mr Hutton told Tribune Business. “I’m at the port every day, and nothing has been done since July. We’re very concerned. “The solutions are there, the solutions have been submitted. Solutions are on the table that have been provided to solve this particular problem. Whoever takes charge after the election, this needs to be an absolute priority of the Government. The Abaco Chamber is willing to help in any way.”

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Acknowledging that the COVID-19 pandemic has been “a tremendous hindrance” to post-Dorian reconstruction, Mr Hutton said he was sticking to his previous estimate that a further five years is required to complete Abaco’s recovery “assuming eventually, or sooner rather than later, we get away from this virus”. And the Chamber chief again urged the Government to enact existing VAT relief and other Dorianrelated tax breaks for the long-term beyond their year-end expiry, arguing that this would spur greater confidence and investment by both businesses and homeowners. “It’s hard to make longterm plans on a six-month basis,” Mr Hutton told Tribune Business. “When the storm first happened we were told a three-year

programme would be put in place, but then when COVID-19 hit it turned into a rolling series of three to six-month extensions. “To encourage investment and rebuilding there needs to be a longer window. You cannot get anything done in six months. We need the certainty of another three years minimum. Assuming that can happen, the revenues generated by Abaco will more than make up for any kind of concessions given in the short-term.” Roscoe Thompson, chief councillor of the Marsh Harbour, Spring City and Dundas Town town council, told Tribune Business that reconstruction efforts had been hindered by a combination of COVID19 and the Government’s fiscal woes although many

persons “don’t want to hear that”. “It’s moving, I guess, but not as quickly as everybody would like,” Mr Thompson said of reconstruction. “Many people don’t realise the Government doesn’t have the money. That’s honest to God. There’s areas where money could have been spent better, and the domes dealt with in a different manner. “Businesses are slowly coming back. I don’t know how much effect COVID-19 has had, but the businesses don’t have anywhere to rent. The owners of some little plazas have not built back, and that can be spaces for between 10-12 businesses. You’re between a rock and a hard place.”

PAGE 8, Wednesday, September 1, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

‘AGGRESSIVE BAR’ SET BY $40M CRUISE PORT LOAN FROM PAGE ONE

employment and incomes for many. Pointing out that Global Ports Holding has committed to providing a $10m loan facility to help Bahamians buy-in to the IPO, Mr Maura said potential investors should draw confidence from the cruise industry’s post-COVID rebound and its status as “the biggest gateway to The Bahamas” for tourism. Based on confirmed cruise line berth bookings, he told this newspaper that monthly calls on Nassau by Florida-based ships are projected to increase by 62.5 percent between September and December 2021 (see other article on Page 1B). And Mr Maura pledged that such demand, coupled with Prince George Wharf’s $250m transformation, will make the Bahamian capital “the envy of the region” for cruise tourism. He spoke after Global Port Holdings, the cruise port’s 49 percent controlling shareholder, revealed that the latter had received a further $40m in debt financing in June 2021 as a “first step” towards raising the additional funding needed to complete construction works.

“The committed investments in Nassau Cruise Port are progressing as planned. The financing of the remaining works will be provided by additional debt and equity capital, to be raised as needed,” Global Ports Holding said in its results statement for the 15 months to end-March 2021. “As a first step, in June 2021 Nassau Cruise Port raised $40m additional non-recourse financing from an institutional USbased investor, with a final maturity of 20 years.” Mr Maura declined to identify the investor involved, or the interest rate, terms and conditions associated with the loan, other than to say it had “set a pretty aggressive bar” for other lenders that Nassau Cruise Port is talking to. He confirmed that the cruise port developer/ operator was keeping its options open on how it met its remaining debt financing needs, with the total sum required likely to be determined by the IPO’s success and how much equity funding is raised. Non-recourse financing is attractive for infrastructure/real estate developments because it means that lenders are entitled to repayment only from the profits generated.

Affirming that Nassau Cruise Port’s main goal was to “keep the cost of money” as low as possible, Mr Maura said: “We haven’t finalised the debt raise, and are in the process of going to market on the equity. It’s very possible, and I would expect, that we would be oversubscribed on the equity and that will influence the number we take up on the additional debt. “I think we’re looking at around $60m-$70m in additional debt, and that assumes we can go to $50m on the equity.” He added that Nassau Cruise Port was working with both Citibank’s Bahamas and New York office, and particularly the latter’s infrastructure financing team, to aid the capital raising and determine the best mix. Mr Maura said their hiring “made a lot of sense” given Citibank’s role in structuring and raising the $409.5m to finance Lynden Pindling International Airport’s (LPIA) redevelopment, and its experience with - and knowledge of - The Bahamas and its tourism industry. Indicating that Nassau Cruise Port may meet its remaining debt financing needs “in tranches” from specific investors, rather

than via a second bond offering, Mr Maura told Tribune Business: “We are continuing our discussions with other debt lenders that are in the infrastructure space, and insurance companies and pension funds. “We have secured $40m and are in discussions with others. We have been in talks with institutions that are interested in taking the balance. The equity issue is still planned for October, so in September we will begin the process of issuing the PR and marketing material for that. The offering memorandum has been in production for the month of August.” Global Port Holdings, meanwhile, revealed that some $60.8m was invested in Nassau Cruise Port’s transformation over the 15 months to end-March 2021. That was financed from the $124.5m proceeds from the latter’s initial bond offering in 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Meanwhile, having completed demolition of the old Port Department building at Prince George Wharf, Nassau Cruise Port and its contractor have been given another task. “We have received instructions from the Government to commence demolition of the

Churchill Building,” Mr Maura disclosed. “I know the Government has a rendering that speaks to the design and look of the new Cabinet Office, but we’re not responsible for constructing the new building. Our responsibility is the Churchill Building and Adderley Building; the two of them are tied together. Both will be coming down. “We’ve actually started the process of removing the asbestos; both buildings have asbestos. We expect to have those buildings demolished in about six to seven weeks, and they will be completely levelled. We’re going to clean the site, and while the Government finalises the new design for the Cabinet Office we’ll replace those two buildings with parking for government employees and green space on a temporary basis. Mr Maura said Nassau Cruise Port had completed all necessary dredging a week ago, and was “on track” to finish all marinerelated infrastructure works and have use of its expanded northern-most berth by December 2021. The foundation for Prince George Wharf’s new arrivals terminal is presently being installed, and he added: “We are finalising

Nassau targets 62.5% increase in cruise calls FROM PAGE ONE such calls on the books for October, the same number in November, and 130 visits booked for December. “With US ports opening up we are seeing a faster transition from home porting back to transit calls [from Florida and other US ports],” Mr Maura said. “It is less expensive for the price-sensitive passenger to drive to Miami to board the ship versus flying to Nassau. “What provides me with comfort and confidence is that it’s growing and has been growing,” he continued of the cruise recovery.

I believe we will continue to be ahead of the rest of the region in terms of growth. Every month we’re getting a few more ships on top of the ships that came in the prior month. “In October, Disney will start calling, and we will also see Norwegian. By October we will have all the cruise lines back, and based on conversations I have had with executives from each of the lines they expect to be at 90 percent-plus in terms of the ships in this region that will be deployed by the end of the year.”

As for Crystal Cruises, which is continuing with its own Bahamas home porting, he added: “Crystal Cruises caters to higher income clientele who use the cruise as part of a larger vacation experience to include a few nights in Nassau.” The Nassau Cruise Port chief said Carnival’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) powered vessel, the Mardi Gras, was visiting Nassau “every other week” with between 3,800 to 4,200 passengers. “The demand is there and Nassau is going to be the envy of the region from the perspective of

having three berths handling Oasis class and Mardi Gras vessels, and three berths for

Dream Class vessels,” he told Tribune Business. “It will also have a brand new waterfront with a focus

our permits with the Ministry of Works for the town centre and marketplace, and the ground transportation area which will support the taxis and tour operators. We’ll have all of our authentic Bahamian merchants in business by summer next year.” Bahamian investors will be subscribing for shares in The Bahamas Investment Fund, a vehicle that will hold a collective 49 percent stake in Nassau Cruise Port, in the upcoming IPO. Asked why he was “very confident” that the IPO will be fully subscribed, Mr Maura said: “While we have had a significant contraction of the economy over the last 18 months, there’s still a lot of cash that people have no place to put it or invest it. “While unemployment does hurt the small investor for sure, as part of our project commitment there’s a $10m interest-free loan that will be made available to small retail investors, people that may otherwise not have the opportunity to invest in something like this but have good jobs and the ability to repay it. The company does have that $10m loan that will be made available.”

on entertainment and food and beverage. The beauty of our project is that it is open to guests from Atlantis, visitors from Baha Mar and, as Bahamians, we get to use it, too.”

THE TRIBUNE

Wednesday, September 1, 2021, PAGE 9

S&P 500 ends August higher, its 7th straight monthly gain By DAMIAN J. TROISE AP Business Writer A WOBBLY day on Wall Street ended Tuesday with major indexes slipping just below recent record highs, but the S&P 500 closed out August solidly in the green with its seventh straight monthly gain. Investors are busy trying to figure out just how much of an impact rising COVID19 cases will have on the still recovering economy. The market has been choppy amid a mix of economic data, some of which has signaled that consumers are becoming more cautious. “The market is still really dealing and grappling with the question of what direction are we taking,” said Rob Haworth, senior investment strategist at U.S. Bank Wealth Management. Investors are gauging which areas of the market are poised to benefit in the coming months as supply constraints continue to hamper some industries while COVID-19 continues

to threaten the economic recovery, he said. The uncertainty has contributed to shifting gains and losses for services-oriented sectors and other areas of the economy that typically do well in a growing economy. The S&P 500 index fell 6.11 points or 0.1%, to 4,522.68, after setting a record high a day prior. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 39.11 points, or, 0.1%, to 35,360.73 and the Nasdaq slipped 6.65 points, or less than 0.1%, to 15,259.24. Technology stocks were the biggest weight dragging down the benchmark S&P 500, despite more stocks rising than falling within the index. Smaller company stocks fared better than the broader market in a signal that investors were somewhat confident about continued economic growth. The Russell 2000 rose 7.78 points, or 0.3%, to 2,273.77. Despite the choppiness, the S&P 500 powered through August for a 2.9% gain. That marks seven

pay premium prices for an already lofty market. Also the Federal Reserve has made it clear that it believes inflation will be temporary and any pullback of

financial support from the central bank would be gradual. Energy prices mostly declined for a second day, as fears of widespread devastation to U.S. oil and gas production in the Gulf of Mexico after Hurricane Ida appeared be overblown. Oil companies began gradually restarting refineries in Louisiana and Colonial Pipeline said it restored flows to several pipelines that run through the south. Oil prices fell 1%, while natural gas prices rose 1.7%. The latest economic data showed once again the impact the delta variant of the coronavirus is having on the economy. Consumer confidence in August fell sharply to a reading of 113.8 compared to a reading of 125.1 in July. Economists has been expecting a reading of 124.0. Most of the decline was tied to the spread of the virus in the past month, which has inundated hospitals with patients and deaths are climbing again.

IN this Feb. 11, 2005 file photo, trays of printed social security checks wait to be mailed from the U.S. Treasury’s Financial Management services facility in Philadelphia. The financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Social Security and Medicare is front and center as the government releases its annual report on the state of the bedrock retirement programs on Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021. Photo:Bradley C. Bower/AP

lost in the pandemic. The report noted that employment, earnings, interest rates and economic growth plummeted in the second quarter of 2020 after the pandemic hit the United States. “The finances of both programs have been significantly affected by the pandemic and the recession of 2020,” the trustees said. But “given the unprecedented level of uncertainty” there was no consensus on what the long-lasting effects of the pandemic would be. A looming question for Medicare: Will the population of beneficiaries who survived the pandemic be healthier on the whole, or will a high number suffer from new conditions like long COVID?

A SIGN for Wall Street hangs in front of the New York Stock Exchange, July 8, 2021. Stocks are edging lower on Wall Street in early trading Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021 a day after the S&P 500 and the Nasdaq hit their latest record highs. The S&P 500 slipped 0.2% and the Nasdaq gave back 0.3%. Traders are keeping their eye on a final trickle of company earnings and looking ahead to Friday, when the Labor Department will release its monthly jobs report. Photo:Mark Lennihan/AP straight monthly gains, the longest such streak since early 2018. The Nasdaq closed the month with a 4% gain.

The market has been lifted by a number of factors this month. Corporate earnings came in much better than expected, giving investors confidence to

COVID RECESSION PUSHED SOCIAL SECURITY INSOLVENCY UP A YEAR By RICARDO ALONSOZALDIVAR AND MARTIN CRUTSINGER Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The sharp shock of the coronavirus recession pushed Social Security a year closer to insolvency but left Medicare’s exhaustion date unchanged, the government reported Tuesday in a counterintuitive assessment that deepens the uncertainty around the nation’s bedrock retirement programs. The new projections in the annual Social Security and Medicare trustees reports indicate that Social Security’s massive trust fund will be unable to pay full benefits in 2034 instead of last year’s estimated exhaustion date of 2035. For the first time in 39 years the cost of delivering benefits will exceed the program’s total income from payroll tax collections and interest during this year. From here on, Social Security will be tapping its investments to pay full benefits. The depletion date for Medicare’s trust fund for inpatient care remained unchanged from last year, estimated in 2026. In the 1980s, financial warnings about Social Security prompted thenPresident Ronald Reagan and lawmakers of both parties in Congress to

collaborate on a long-term solvency plan, but such action is unlikely in today’s bitter political climate. Democrats who control the White House and Congress offered assurances they would protect both programs. “The Biden-Harris administration is committed to safeguarding these programs and ensuring they continue to deliver economic security and health care to older Americans,” Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said in a statement. The latest estimates reflected the push and pull of many factors flowing from the pandemic, and the full impact may take years to sort out. The deep but relatively short recession slashed revenue from payroll taxes. But the death toll from COVID-19, concentrated among older people, reduced future Social Security benefit payouts. Hospitals were stressed by the influx of COVID patients, but Medicare didn’t have to pay for as many knee surgeries, colonoscopies and other more routine procedures. Birth rates and immigration, which tend to bolster the two programs, both fell. For Social Security, the loss of payroll tax revenue outweighed any savings from what the program would have paid out to people whose lives were

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PAGE 12, Wednesday, September 1, 2021

THE TRIBUNE

Pilots’ union sues Southwest over changes made in pandemic DALLAS Associated Press THE pilots’ union is suing Southwest Airlines, saying that rules the airline put into place before and during the pandemic have changed pay rates and working rules, in violation of federal labor law. The union says any changes that affect pay or working conditions must be negotiated, but that Southwest has made unilateral changes even while the two sides are at the bargaining table. The Southwest Airlines Pilots Association, or SWAPA, filed the lawsuit Monday in federal district court in Dallas, where Southwest is based. Southwest has been forced to respond to

“unpredictable challenges” during the pandemic, said Russell McCrady, the airline’s vice president of labor relations. “The airline disagrees with SWAPA’s claims that any COVID-related changes over the past few months required negotiation,” he said. Southwest has enjoyed better management-labor relations than other large U.S. airlines, and it boasts of never furloughing an employee. However, the lawsuit is the latest evidence of the carrier’s increasingly strained relationship with unions, which represent 83% of its 56,000 employees. Southwest — like its rivals — paid incentives for thousands of employees

to quit last year, only to be caught short when travel picked up this summer. Unions for frontline workers including pilots and flight attendants have blamed management for many delayed and canceled flights. The pilots’ union is considering airing its grievances by picketing at airports later this year.

WITH the city skyline in the background, a Southwest Airlines jetliner taxis to the west runway for takeoff from Denver International Airport, Tuesday, Aug. 24, 2021, in Denver. The pilots’ union is suing Southwest Airlines, saying that rules the airline put into place before and during the pandemic have changed pay rates and working rules, in violation of federal labor law. Photo:David Zalubowski/AP

THE WEATHER REPORT

5-Day Forecast

TODAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY

SUNDAY

Partly sunny

Clear

Partly sunny, a shower in the p.m.

A few showers in the afternoon

A morning shower; partly sunny

Partly sunny, a t‑storm possible

High: 88°

Low: 78°

High: 88° Low: 79°

High: 89° Low: 78°

High: 88° Low: 79°

High: 90° Low: 79°

AccuWeather RealFeel

101° F

88° F

101°-89° F

101°-88° F

101°-89° F

102°-89° F

High: 84° F/29° C Low: 77° F/25° C

The exclusive AccuWeather RealFeel Temperature® is an index that combines the effects of temperature, wind, humidity, sunshine intensity, cloudiness, precipitation, pressure and elevation on the human body—everything that affects how warm or cold a person feels. Temperatures reflect the high and the low for the day.

almanac

ABACO

High: 86° F/30° C Low: 80° F/27° C

4‑8 knots

High: 92° F/33° C Low: 77° F/25° C

4‑8 knots

FT. LAUDERDALE W

FREEPORT

High: 92° F/33° C Low: 78° F/26° C

E S

WEST PALM BEACH

uV inDex toDay

THURSDAY

ORLANDO

TAMPA

| Go to AccuWeather.com

TONIGHT

High: 85° F/29° C Low: 75° F/24° C

High: 88° F/31° C Low: 78° F/26° C

MIAMI

High: 93° F/34° C Low: 78° F/26° C

6‑12 knots

KEY WEST

High: 88° F/31° C Low: 81° F/27° C

Statistics are for Nassau through 2 p.m. yesterday Temperature High ................................................... 88° F/31° C Low .................................................... 73° F/23° C Normal high ....................................... 88° F/31° C Normal low ........................................ 75° F/24° C Last year’s high ................................. 93° F/34° C Last year’s low ................................... 77° F/25° C Precipitation As of 2 p.m. yesterday ................................. 0.00” Year to date ............................................... 17.00” Normal year to date ................................... 24.92”

ELEUTHERA

NASSAU

High: 88° F/31° C Low: 78° F/26° C

High: 86° F/30° C Low: 76° F/24° C

The higher the AccuWeather UV IndexTM number, the greater the need for eye and skin protection.

tiDes For nassau High

Ht.(ft.)

Low

Ht.(ft.)

Today

3:47 a.m. 4:28 p.m.

2.3 2.9

9:54 a.m. 1.2 11:02 p.m. 1.4

Thursday

4:45 a.m. 5:22 p.m.

2.3 3.0

10:50 a.m. 1.1 11:53 p.m. 1.2

Friday

5:38 a.m. 6:10 p.m.

2.5 3.2

11:43 a.m. 0.9 ‑‑‑‑‑ ‑‑‑‑‑

Saturday

6:27 a.m. 6:55 p.m.

2.7 3.3

12:38 a.m. 1.0 12:32 p.m. 0.7

Sunday

7:12 a.m. 7:37 p.m.

2.9 3.5

1:20 a.m. 1:19 p.m.

0.8 0.6

Monday

7:55 a.m. 8:18 p.m.

3.1 3.5

2:00 a.m. 2:04 p.m.

0.6 0.4

Tuesday

8:38 a.m. 8:59 p.m.

3.3 3.5

2:39 a.m. 2:50 p.m.

0.4 0.3

sun anD moon Sunrise Sunset

6:51 a.m. 7:28 p.m.

Moonrise Moonset

1:36 a.m. 3:48 p.m.

New

First

Full

Last

Sep. 6

Sep. 13

Sep. 20

Sep. 28

CAT ISLAND

High: 85° F/29° C Low: 77° F/25° C

3‑6 knots

3‑6 knots Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

TO ADVERTISE TODAY IN THE TRIBUNE CALL @ 502-2394

ANDROS

SAN SALVADOR

GREAT EXUMA

High: 86° F/30° C Low: 78° F/26° C

High: 85° F/29° C Low: 79° F/26° C

High: 87° F/31° C Low: 77° F/25° C

W S

LONG ISLAND

tracking map

High: 85° F/29° C Low: 78° F/26° C

3‑6 knots

MAYAGUANA High: 85° F/29° C Low: 78° F/26° C

Shown is today’s weather. Temperatures are today’s highs and tonight’s lows.

CROOKED ISLAND / ACKLINS RAGGED ISLAND High: 84° F/29° C Low: 78° F/26° C

High: 84° F/29° C Low: 78° F/26° C

GREAT INAGUA High: 86° F/30° C Low: 79° F/26° C

N E

3‑6 knots

marine Forecast ABACO ANDROS CAT ISLAND CROOKED ISLAND ELEUTHERA FREEPORT GREAT EXUMA GREAT INAGUA LONG ISLAND MAYAGUANA NASSAU RAGGED ISLAND SAN SALVADOR

Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday: Today: Thursday:

WINDS SW at 4‑8 Knots SW at 6‑12 Knots W at 3‑6 Knots SW at 4‑8 Knots SSE at 3‑6 Knots SSW at 4‑8 Knots S at 3‑6 Knots SE at 4‑8 Knots SSW at 3‑6 Knots SSW at 4‑8 Knots WSW at 4‑8 Knots WSW at 7‑14 Knots NW at 3‑6 Knots SSW at 4‑8 Knots S at 3‑6 Knots SE at 4‑8 Knots SSW at 4‑8 Knots SE at 4‑8 Knots S at 3‑6 Knots SSE at 4‑8 Knots WNW at 3‑6 Knots SSW at 3‑6 Knots S at 3‑6 Knots SE at 4‑8 Knots SE at 3‑6 Knots SSW at 4‑8 Knots

WAVES 2‑4 Feet 2‑4 Feet 0‑1 Feet 0‑1 Feet 2‑4 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑3 Feet 2‑4 Feet 1‑3 Feet 1‑2 Feet 1‑3 Feet 0‑1 Feet 0‑1 Feet 1‑2 Feet 1‑2 Feet 1‑2 Feet 1‑2 Feet 2‑4 Feet 2‑4 Feet 0‑1 Feet 0‑1 Feet 0‑1 Feet 0‑1 Feet 0‑1 Feet 0‑1 Feet

VISIBILITY 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 5 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles 10 Miles

WATER TEMPS. 87° F 86° F 87° F 88° F 86° F 87° F 85° F 84° F 87° F 88° F 87° F 87° F 86° F 87° F 84° F 83° F 85° F 85° F 83° F 83° F 88° F 88° F 85° F 85° F 87° F 87° F