I was in San Salvador, Bahamas at the Riding Rock Marina for clearance, a brief passage rest stop and fueling in early December 2013. I bought 250 gallons of diesel from Carter’s Service Station through the marina. It was badly contaminated causing engine failure and the necessity of expensive repairs at the next stop in Panama.

The marina had no fuel on hand and the fuel company was not able to deliver a truck directly to the boat so it was brought in a trailer tank and then pumped into the marina’s large tank then pumped aboard. Judging by the poor maintenance at the marina including nearly rusted off water faucet handles and loose cleats it seems likely that one of the tanks used in the transfer was badly contaminated.

In its favor, the marina has easy entrance from sea and is a good passage rest stop but great caution should be used if fueling there.

S/v Elcano