M/V “Captain Moxey” of the South Andros run. Leaves Nassau Mondays at 11 PM. I was told that the owners are Moxey Shipping and met Captain Kevin Moxey in person. Another skipper is Captain Boycel Moxey Jr., described as President of the company. See history of “the” Captain Hezron Lenox Moxey and his many regatta and merchant marine accomplishments, with photo, below.
MAILBOAT NAME: M/V Captain Moxey
PAST NAMES: not known
DIMENSIONS: 370 gross tons, IMO # 196539, Call Sign C6V2035, Bahamas ID is NP 980
CONSTRUCTION: not known – described as a “supply vessel” or a “supply tender”
YEAR BUILT: 1998
EARLY CAREER: so far as is known she has been serving the Bahamas her entire 16-year career
BAHAMAS CAREER: serves South Andros, Kemps Bay, The Bluff, Long Bay Cays, Andros from Nassau. Leaves Potters Cay Dock Monday at 11 PM.
CAPTAINS: Capt. Boycel Moxey, Jr. and relief captain Capt. Kevin Moxey
FATE: still operating in April 2014
OWNERS: Moxey Shipping
NOTES: see photos below from photo essay March 21, 2014 posted on this blog. According to http://www.bahamasguru.com/travel/mailboat.php the trip to Andros takes 7 hours and costs $30.
Mr. Stephen Wilcox kindly gave permission for us to share this lovely image which he took. His photos are posted: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jetwashphotos/14217553266/in/photostream/
There must have been a mailboat of this name serving Andros in 1989 as an agricultural marketing study commissioned by the Bahamas Government that year, by Trevor Hamilton & Associates lists a “MV Captain Moxey” serving Andros 9 years before this vessel was built.
M/V “Captain Moxey” as seen from the steps of the Dockmaster’s office looking southwest.
Capt. Kevin Moxey of the M/V “Captain Moxey” sanding the rudder of a regatta sailboat, Potter’s Cay. It appears from the trailer that the boat’s name is “Revelation 3:19”. He said “regatta time” is coming up!
It would appear that the gentleman after whom this mailboat is named is Captain Hezron Lenox Moxey. According to an article by Earnestine D. Moxey for the National Family Islands Regatta in an article posted at http://www.nationalfamilyislandregatta.com/sailor-biographies/hezron-moxey/:
No Bahamian has the depth of knowledge of the seas of The Bahamas, the craft of beat building and the art of sleep sailing as Captain Hezron Lenox Moxey. He epitomizes what is great about a Bahamian sailor. Over the years, Captain Moxey has earned the status of a Bahamian icon of sleep sailing.
Coming from a family of sailors, sailing became a necessity for survival – thus becoming his life and his passion. Under the watchful eyes of his father and grandfather, Captain Moxey sailed the waters between Haiti, Cuba and The Bahamas, trading fruits, cows, rum, cigars and other goods. At age twelve he had already mastered the skill of sailing, and chartered the course of 24-footers.
Bern in Duncan Town, Ragged Island, this legendary seventy year old Bahamian sailor has the distinction of sailing in the company of royal- ty and with the rich and famous of the world. During the 1960’s and early 70’s, at a time when modern technology was non-existent, he made and distribute hundreds of navigational tapes for yachtsmen to be guided through the treacherous reefs, wrecks and shoals of The Bahamas.
At ether times, he guided up to thirty yachters into The Bahamas. This decorated sailor was the first Captain and Chief Inspector in the Marine Division of the Royal Bahamas Police Force. He has sailed the seas of the Atlantic, Mediterranean, Caribbean and Pacific Oceans, and has bought great credit to his country as a quintessential sailor. The sea- faring Captain Moxey has piloted vessels through Canada, Spain, Italy, Greece, the Caribbean, United States of America and the South West Coast of Africa.
“Whitehead”, as he is affectionately called, has participated in more regattas than any other sailor. He has skippered races in Grand Bahama, Bimini, Andros, Abaco, Eleuthera and Cat island, and has participated in the National Family Island Regatta in Exuma, since its inception in 1954. in fact, he was the first man to enter the Elizabeth Harbour in 1954, thus delivering the ice for the regatta.
A skipper of both “A” and “B” Class sloops, his 24-footer, “B” class boat called the “Ego” won most of the races during the 1950’s and early 60’s. During the 1980’s he won four National titles in the “A” class division and over the years, led many other vessels to victory including the Good News, Unca Boss, Lady Eugenia, William’s Auto, New Thunderbird and intrepid.
Inducted into the Bahamian Sailing Hall of Fame in 1990, he was awarded the British Empire Medal from Queen Elizabeth II in 1997 for his contribution to the sport. Married to Elva Joffre, he retired from active sailing in 1996 and presently enjoys sports fishing.
A proud tradition of sailing which started with his forefathers in now carried by seven of Captain Moxey’s children, who themselves are captains.