Fort Bay

File:Saba. Bergweg Fort Bay Landing, Bestanddeelnr 935-1260.jpg" connecting Fort Bay to The Bottom]]

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{{Cite web |title=Fort Bay Harbor {{!}} Maritime History |url=https://www.sabaport.com/sabas-harbor-history |access-date=2024-01-27 |website=fort-bay-saba |language=en}}{{dead link|date=February 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}{{Cite web |date=2018-06-21 |title=About Saba |url=https://www.sabatourism.com/about-saba/ |access-date=2024-01-27 |website=Saba Tourism |language=en-US}} (and its 800 perilous steps hand-cut out of the cliffside).{{Cite web |title=Saba: A Beautiful Haven for Scuba Divers and Nature Lovers {{!}} Scuba Diving |url=http://www.scubadiving.com/saba-beautiful-haven-for-scuba-divers-and-nature-lovers |access-date=2024-01-27 |website=www.scubadiving.com |language=en}}

Fort Bay's first pier was constructed in November 1972.Van Vilsteren, W.L. [https://repository.tudelft.nl/islandora/object/uuid%3A79b38f8a-54f6-4be3-88f8-56affd6bfd9d Fort Bay, Saba: A study on hurricane condities]. October 2001. Delft University of Technology.{{Cite web |date=2022-11-02 |title=The Captain Leo A.I. Chance pier at the Fort Bay harbor will mark its 50th anniversary |url=https://www.saba-news.com/the-captain-leo-a-i-chance-pier-at-the-fort-bay-harbor-will-mark-its-50th-anniversary/ |access-date=2024-01-27 |website=Saba News |language=en-US}} 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{{Cite web |title=Fort Bay Harbor: Facilities |url=https://www.sabaport.com/harbor-facilities |access-date=2024-01-27 |website=fort-bay-saba |language=en}}{{dead link|date=February 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}{{Cite web |title=Fort Bay Harbor Saba {{!}} Saba Ferry Services {{!}} Travel to Saba |url=https://www.sabaport.com/saba-ferry-services |access-date=2024-01-27 |website=fort-bay-saba |language=en}}{{dead link|date=February 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}
• Multipurpose/fishermen's pier, mostly used by local fishermen{{Cite web |title=The Island of Saba: After the Storm – Passion Passport |url=https://passionpassport.com/saba-after-the-storm/ |access-date=2024-01-27 |language=en-US}}
• Tender pier, used for tendering passengers from yachts and small cruise ships{{Cite web |title=Fort Bay Harbor Saba: Cruises Visiting Saba |url=https://www.sabaport.com/cruise-ships |access-date=2024-01-27 |website=fort-bay-saba |language=en}}{{dead link|date=February 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

File:Fort Bay with Mutty's Pride (6549981437).jpg

During 2010–2011, various improvements were made to the Fort Bay harbor, including the quay wall, boat ramp, and retaining wall.[https://windwardroads.com/new-quay-fort-bay-harbour-saba/ New Quay Fort Bay Harbour Saba]. Janssen de Jong Caribbean. Retrieved 11 November 2018. In 2023, upgrades were done to Capt. Leo Chance Pier and the roll-on/roll-off pier.{{Cite web |date=2023-02-14 |title=Upgrading works at Fort Bay Harbor ongoing |url=https://www.saba-news.com/upgrading-works-at-fort-bay-harbor-ongoing/ |access-date=2024-01-27 |website=Saba News |language=en-US}}

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.{{cite web|url=https://www.lonelyplanet.com/saba/transportation |title=Transportation|website=Lonely Planet|access-date=5 May 2021}}

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,{{citation needed|date=November 2018}} and the fisherman's pier being damaged by Hurricane Irma and later destroyed by Hurricane Maria in 2017.Durand, Hazel. [https://caribbeannetwork.ntr.nl/2017/09/21/fort-bay-harbor-saba-damaged-after-hurricane-maria/ Fort Bay harbor Saba damaged after Hurricane Maria]. 21 September 2017. Caribbean Network News.

Fort Bay has multiple ferry services operating between Saba and Sint Maarten, including The Edge (based on Sint Maarten),{{Cite web |title=The Edge |url=https://www.seaandlearn.org/the-edge |access-date=2024-01-27 |website=sea-and-learn-saba |language=en}} and the Dawn II (based on Saba){{Cite web |title=Dawn II {{!}} Ferry {{!}} Saba C-Transport, N.V. |url=https://www.sabaferry.com/dawn2 |access-date=2024-01-27 |website=sabactransport |language=en}} with almost daily trips.[https://www.sabatourism.com/gettosaba.html Travel Info]. Saba Tourist Bureau. Retrieved 11 November 2018.

File:Trent Bay with Fort Bay Ferry Terminal (6550045533).jpg|Tent Bay (left) and Fort Bay (right)

File:Saba Deep with Water Treatment Plant (6549980927).jpg|Dive center and water treatment building near entrance (from road) to Fort Bay

File:Edge II Aqua Mania Saba Shuttle (6550044209).jpg|Ferry in Fort Bay harbor

File:Bijleveld Fort Bay, Saba, 27 september 2019.jpg|View of Fort Bay from ferry

{{commons category}}

• {{usurped|1=[https://archive.today/20240309112824/https://www.sabaport.com/ Official Website of Fort Bay Harbor]}}
• [https://www.sabaport.com/saba-ferry-services Saba Ferry Services]{{dead link|date=February 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

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Category:Geography of Saba (island)

Category:Buildings and structures in The Bottom

Category:Transport in Saba (island)