In the illustration above we have Cuba at the top, Haiti to the right, Jamaica to the left and in the center, a tiny piece of the USA, Navassa Island. 

While preparing the post on USCGC Seneca’s recent patrol, I had an occasion to look up the Windward Passage. It lies between the Eastern end of Cuba and the West end of Hispaniola (Haiti and the Dominican Republic). It is only 80 kM (43 nautical miles) wide.

Navassa Island “with a few infos added: Lulu Town, Navassa Island Light, peak (77 m)” Credit: Wikipedia user: Indolences

Surprisingly it includes a bit of the US, its territorial sea, and Exclusive Economic Zone. Little Navassa Island has a Coast Guard connection.

From 1917 to 1996, Navassa was under the administration of the United States Coast Guard.

In September 1999, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service established the Navassa Island National Wildlife Refuge, which encompasses 1,344 acres (5.44 km²) of land and a 12 nautical mile (22.2 km) radius of marine habitat around the island. Later that year, full administrative responsibility for Navassa was transferred from the Office of Insular Affairs to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

That may be reason enough to cruise by once in a while. Not sure anyone would be allowed ashore.

Navassa Island’s lighthouse with the light keeper’s quarters in the foreground