Fort Bay
Fort Bay is the official and only port on the island of Saba, in the Caribbean Netherlands. It is located on the south side of the island, about by road from The Bottom. The port is very important for the island as most of its supplies arrive here by boat.
History
Prior to the opening of the road to Fort Bay, the primary way to get goods and people on or off the island was via Ladder Bay.Fort Bay's first pier was constructed in November 1972. Since then, Fort Bay harbor has grown to multiple piers:
- Capt. Leo Chance Pier, the larger pier, dedicated to cargo boats, dive boats, and ferries
- Multipurpose/fishermen's pier, mostly used by local fishermen
- Tender pier, used for tendering passengers from yachts and small cruise ships
The port is also home to the Saba Sea Rescue Organization that have a rescue ship stationed just outside the mouth to the port. The ship is equipped with decompression tanks, rescue equipment and personnel. On land at Fort Bay, there is a hyperbaric chamber for diving emergency situations.
The port has two bars and one restaurant which are frequently visited by locals and tourists. Additionally the island's only gas station is situated located just past Fort Bay.
Fort Bay has been affected by several hurricanes over the years, including breakwaters damage in Hurricane Lenny in 1999, one of the piers being destroyed by Hurricane Omar in 2008, and the fisherman's pier being damaged by Hurricane Irma and later destroyed by Hurricane Maria in 2017.