T&T: Fish Creek

[Rich Gano]

If you are referring to FRESH Creek on Andros, Island, yes, I have some
knowledge of it.  It is a mile outside the gate of the Navy base I work out
of when I go down there to perform acoustic tests on surface combatants, and
when there was no place to bunk on the base, we have stayed at the
marina/motel complex there.

I cannot comment on the navigational aspects of the place, and I am unsure
of the fuel availability either.  I can say there is a ferocious tidal flow
through the place and that power and sail yachts up to 60 feet or so have
visited.  Out in the Tongue of the Ocean, when approaching from the north,
there is a large mooring buoy we use when testing.  If you see an all-gray
or black hull and white topside mud boat style vessel tied up to it, stay
clear and contact them on channel 16 (they will be calling you if they see
you first) for instructions on how best to avoid interfering with a test.

There is a bar and restaurant in the motel, and we like the conch dishes
served there.

There is some minimal information at http://www.androslighthouse.com.

The term "yacht club and marina" term is relative, that is, relative to
nothing.  There are several short, high wooden piers pushing out from a
boardwalk along the creek side of the motel.  There are probably 3-4 slips
per side of these piers, and I have never seen all of them occupied.  There
is power available, but I am not sure what type.  I don't know about fresh
water either.

There is no boatyard in the area.  A few people who live and work at the
base have vessels in the 30-40 foot range (mostly sail) which must sit on a
mooring inside the Navy breakwater (a mile or so south of the Fresh Creek
entrance) when not hauled out and placed about a half mile inland from the
basin.  I don't know what piece of equipment is used to do that, but it is
probably one of the base cranes.  If you had an emergency, you might get
some help from the Navy by calling them on channel 16 or 18, but I would
advise against trying to get into their basin unannounced, they are VERY
security conscious there, and there is no place for a yacht to moor to a
pier.

Rich Gano
CALYPSO (GB-42 #295)
Southport, FL