By KEILE CAMPBELL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kcampbell@tribunemedia.net

OPPOSITION Leader Michael Pintard has blasted the government’s push to establish a statutory Maritime Revenue Unit, warning it represents a quiet takeover of roles currently handled by the private sector and lacks public consultation.

The bill, passed Thursday during the House of Assembly’s afternoon session, formalises oversight of mooring fees, licensing, and maritime infrastructure. It comes months after the government was forced to cancel a controversial seabed lease granted to Bahamas Moorings Ltd without public tender.

Mr Pintard accused the Davis administration of overreach, suggesting the new unit would duplicate services already managed by private firms, particularly waste removal from vessels.

He called on the government to withdraw the bill and consult stakeholders before moving forward, arguing there was no clear justification for its sudden advancement.

Prime Minister Philip Davis rejected the appeal, saying the new legislation gives statutory authority to a unit already operating under the Ministry of Finance. He said the intent is to bring uniformity to maritime regulation and direct revenues to Family Island local governments. Regulatory consultations, he said, would come after the bill’s passage.

Mr Davis defended the move by citing unchecked marine activity. He recalled seeing dozens of boat lights offshore without any apparent oversight.

The bill’s passage follows a firestorm over a 21-year seabed lease signed by Mr Davis earlier this year. The deal gave Bahamas Moorings Ltd permission to install up to 250 private mooring buoys in the Exuma Cays, a contract critics condemned as profit-driven and opaque. The arrangement was abruptly scrapped in February after officials acknowledged missing permits, prompting pledges of reform and transparency from the Prime Minister’s Office.

Debate over maritime regulation resurfaced during budget discussions, where Long Island MP Adrian Gibson questioned whether $2.25m set aside for vessel removals this year mirrored last year’s allocation and if any meaningful progress had been made.

He highlighted derelict boats that remain hazards in New Providence Harbour and other areas. New Providence vessels that hadn’t moved in years, he noted, continued to block access and pose risks.

Transport Minister JoBeth Coleby-Davis confirmed that removals are ongoing in New Providence and Family Islands like Andros and Abaco. She said her ministry is working with vessel owners and the Attorney General’s Office to resolve outstanding cases legally and efficiently.

St Anne’s MP Adrian White pressed for clarity on whether funds would also cover the removal of a tugboat and barge sunk near protected reefs in Abaco. Mrs Coleby-Davis confirmed discussions are underway between relevant authorities and said a recent meeting addressed possible solutions.

Mr White then asked for an accounting of last year’s $3.4m budget for vessel removals, questioning where that money went given the visible lack of results.

Mrs Coleby-Davis responded by criticising the previous administration, claiming it had failed to act on the same maritime issues.