Emmie: Yes, there's all sorts of maritime small industry in the Bahamas. But not a maritime fleet like New England or Europe. There was a reason for all those wreckers. Tall ships did well to stay off the Bahamas Bank. British foreign office types had to layover in New York. The Bahamas never had a direct connection to England until air travel.

I grew up in the islands living aboard. Grand Bahama, Andros and Abaco mostly. Built my first boats there and qualified at UNESCO-Freeport (scuba) before they had a proper clubhouse.

I will say it's the only place I ever saw a genuine working fire bulgine in the wild. Never had cause to use it so no shantying, thank goodness.