With berthing places at Potter's Cay Dock filled to capacity, some commercial fishermen are calling for the government to remove "derelict" boats from the eastern end of the dock.
The fishermen, who wanted their names withheld over fear of reprisals, said the inoperable boats are taking up "prime commercial space" at a port that has not kept pace with the expansion of the domestic fleet.
Port Controller Patrick McNeil agreed that there are "challenges" at the dock and "we have some vessels that shouldn't be there".
McNeil said there are no immediate plans for expansion at the dock and the government is trying to determine the best way to remove those vessels.
Back in 2011, the government removed 19 inoperable boats from the eastern end of the dock to Athol Island.
However, that decision drew criticisms from scuba diving and snorkeling operators.
According to a source, although there is barely enough space to accommodate the current fleet, both mail boat and fishing vessel owners continue to expand.
"As the domestic fleet grows, we have to manage the space that we have," McNeil said.
He said Assistant Port Controller Craig Curtis does an "outstanding job" to ensure that everyone is accommodated.
The Nassau Guardian saw the magnitude of the problem firsthand on a visit to the dock on Friday. There were 11 fishing boats at the dock and several mail boats had to double up to accommodate them.
The overcrowding at the dock will be compounded during the Easter season when an additional six fishing boats are expected, according to fishermen.
The Guardian understands when there isn't enough space for fishing boats, they are allowed to berth behind another vessel and set up a table with their wares.
The fishermen, however, find this arrangement less than ideal as their frozen catch usually thaws in the heat.
Fishing vessels and mail boats are charged the same dockage fee of $5.71 per day.
Certain sections of the dock are designated for mail boats and fishing vessels; however, the fishermen are allowed to berth in the mail boats' spots if they are not in, according to a port employee who spoke on condition of anonymity.

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