Consequences for over-staying a 90 day passport stamp - Bahamas

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Answering my own question from our recent experience and final outcome.

First: "Customs" is not the institution responsible in this case. It is actually Immigration. Customs has nothing to do with it / no say.

The "consequences" as we discovered can be many and severe or none at all (our case). The actions are mostly up to the officer to determine based on the intent of the offender and / or the severity of the violation. Calling ahead and notifying Immigration is "always the right thing to do." It would seem that doing the best you can to comply and "not putting your family in a safety risk" due to rushing in bad weather, is all an acceptable course of action in this one case. However, again the consequences could still have absolutely been applied. Consequences entailed: Forced deportation and possibly blocked from re-enter + $3k fine per person and potential jail time if fines are not payed. All of these "consequences" where named at our meeting and it was repeatedly reiterated that our situation was "not good" but that we did the right thing by calling ahead, explaining the delay and getting to an immigration office as soon as possible.

No vessel confiscation was mentioned and I cannot find written documentation of the possibility. Only the fines, deportation and potential blocking from re-entry which seems to be more reserved for repeat offenders. However, none of this seems documented anywhere and this answer is 100% experience based and verbal quotes from Immigration Officials here in the Bahamas.

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