JetBoaters.net Bimini Fling June 19 to 25 2016

[Murf'n'surf]

The first tropical weather of 2016 is brewing just outside the Bahamas now.

 

[Andy S]

but why not leave at daybreak on the way back too?

It all depends on the weather/wave forecast. According to the forecast, the seas were supposed to lay down a little as it got closer to noon. Also, they were staying the might in Miami and couldn't check into their hotel until 4 pm.

 

[Bruce]

I believe I have a pretty good handle on who is going so it is time to split up into our crossing groups.

The first group to cross will be led by myself and is scheduled to depart Bahia Mar at 5:45 AM. That group will consist of @Bruce, @latitudeadjuster, @Majorsmackdown, @Manchild, @shane hric, @swatski and @zedxmike. My group will use channel 68 for VHF communications during the crossing.

I am pleased to announce that the other two groups will be led by @chris24 and @MrMoose. Both of these gentlemen enjoyed the 2015 Bimini trip and will make great group leaders for this years crossing.

@chris24's group consists of @chris24, @ACrews, @Glen, @javi, @Kevin Sargent and @wadeup. Chris's group will use channel 71 for VHF communications during the crossing.

@MrMoose's group consists of @MrMoose, @ThatJeepGuy, @Augusto David Rodriguez, @BgTravis, @Jim Hernandez, @Jr15g and @SFThoen. MrMoose's group will use channel 69 for communications during the crossing.

The group distribution was determined based on the equipment onboard each boat. Our focus was to make sure that we had 2 fixed VHF radios , 2+ plotters and an EPIRB or similar device in each group. This may have friends in different groups. These groups are only for the crossings. Once we arrive in Bimini everyone will be together again.

The reason for breaking into small groups is so that every captain will have an experienced leader nearby that they can watch and to reduce the number of boats waiting in dangerous water if a boat were to have issues this year. I am hopeful that we will have smooth water for our crossings but want to be prepared for rough water.

The channel exiting Port Everglades is narrow so each group will exit in a single file line. Once we have exited the port please move into a V formation with the leader in the center and far enough behind to watch how he is crossing the upcoming waves.

If you need to stop please use your radio to communicate your reason for stopping to your group leader. If the reason for stopping is to clean out a jet or secure cargo your group will slow slightly so that you can take care of business and catch back up. If the reason for stopping is more severe the group will circle nearby as appropriate assistance is sought. I will write more about this later.

My group will go out 15 minutes ahead of the others. Once we are 4 miles out we will report back on the water conditions, quantity of sea weed, any other issues and our speed to all boats via text message from our inReach to your mobile phones that will still be on US networks.

This is an approximate schedule for the crossing to Bimini

5:40 roll call for Bruce's group at the docks at Bahia Mar.

5:45 departure of Bruce's group from the docks at Bahia Mar.

6:00 roll call and departure of Chris24's group from the docks at Bahia Mar,

6:05 roll call and departure of MrMoose's group from the docks at Bahia Mar.

6:15 Bruce's group exits Port Everglades.

6:27 Bruce's group should be 4 miles out and reports water conditions, quantity of sea weed, any other issues and our speed to all boats.

6:30 At 5 miles out Bruce announces position to his group and informs them that if anyone does not wish to proceed they should turn back now. Chris24's group exits Port Everglades.

6:35 MrMoose's group exits Port Everglades

6:45 At 5 miles out Chris24 communicates position to group and informs them that if anyone does not wish to proceed they should turn back now.

6:50 At 5 miles out MrMoose group leader communicates position to group and informs them that if anyone does not wish to proceed they should turn back now.

At the mid point of the crossing, if the water conditions are reasonable each group stops for a swim and to allow any necessary refueling.

8:45 to 10:45 All groups arrive in the paradisal waters of Bimini where customs officers should be waiting for us on the docks at Bimini Sands.

 

[Ramblin Wreck]

My money has @chris24 and group catching up with your group @Bruce. Also, I suspect @MrMoose's group will get some classic vinyl playing in the background of his VHF communications.

In all seriousness, great work with the logistics @Bruce. You can tell there was a lot of thought and consideration put into these plans.

 

[jawsf16]

@Bruce
Okay, totally envious of this trip. My military flying job requires meticulous planning to pull off a Large Force Exercise (LFE) of this size. You are the Mission Commander (MC) and your groups are Package Commanders (PC). All you need is some Red Air (Jets acting as Bad Guys) and this endeavor would be on scale with any Nellis Red Flag!
Wingmen follow the orders of your PC, PCs follow the orders of your MC and y'all will succeed at every LFE's main objective - BOTOTCHA!
Bombs On Target On Time, Come Home Alive!

Good luck fellas!!

 

[Bruce]

@jawsf16, we would be glad to have you out front running recon!

All this prep is to try to avoid any of our packages switching to missing man formation.

 

[robert843]

@Bruce great job on setting this up are you guys planing on departing in the same groups on the return?

 

[Bruce]

@Bruce great job on setting this up are you guys planing on departing in the same groups on the return?

We will have the same groups for the return. I plan to appoint one of the members of my group to lead them home. Moose and Chris may want to do the same. I want to build experience that will transfer into leaders for 2017.

 

[Bruce]

Who is up for live music at Big Game Club? My family certainly wants to make the trip over.

 

[Andy S]

@Bruce the band looks like the same group that played last year before the 4th of July celebration and they were good and entertaining, well worth making the trip over to see.

 

[DieselCamel]

hope this isn't a trend of things to come this summer

http://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/tropical-system-may-brew-near-southeastern-us-coast-memorial-day-weekend/57639474

 

[robert843]

Here is a short video of the Bimini trip we followed on here earlier in the week. @Bruce their conditions looked very close to the same we had I think.

#exumas2016

 

[shane hric]

We will have the same groups for the return. I plan to appoint one of the members of my group to lead them home. Moose and Chris may want to do the same. I want to build experience that will transfer into leaders for 2017.

@Bruce, your doing an awesome job with everything...so with that said, my passenger list changed and will consist of: Myself, Pam, Ravi, and Olivia (other 2 cancelled). This way you have an accurate count of people going over!

Thanks buddy!

 

[waterboy]

@robert843 Nice video, thanks for posting. I was flying out of Miami Friday morning as they were coming back, heading East over Bimini. Unfortunately I was on the wrong side of the airplane to see them heading home. I was hoping to get a picture of them to post... oh well.

 

[Bruce]

@Bruce their conditions looked very close to the same we had I think.

Looks like they had a great time. I did not see enough of the water to even guess about the conditions.

 

[Bruce]

For anyone who would like to add satellite tracking, messaging and SOS signaling REI has the Delorme inReach SE on sale for $225. I believe the sale may only be through the 30th.

https://www.rei.com/product/857610/delorme-inreach-se-2-way-satellite-communicator

This is my tracking data from last year so you can see what it does https://share.delorme.com/share/Propless

In 2014 @Tyler had an engine failure during a single boat crossing and used his inReach to arrange for towing and report his position.

In 2015 my family used the inReach to message with @justason and @Murf'n'surf who were watching our progress.

It also has GPS capabilities and provides mapping for your phone, tablet or computer.

 

[Ronald]

Although i am not going..this is a bucket list trip ill do some day when my little ones get older.. id love to see some videos of the crossing. When you all return safe. Safe travels to all.

 

[Volffas]

For anyone who would like to add satellite tracking, messaging and SOS signaling REI has the Delorme inReach SE on sale for $225. I believe the sale may only be through the 30th.

https://www.rei.com/product/857610/delorme-inreach-se-2-way-satellite-communicator

This is my tracking data from last year so you can see what it does https://share.delorme.com/share/Propless

In 2014 @Tyler had an engine failure during a single boat crossing and used his inReach to arrange for towing and report his position.

In 2015 my family used the inReach to message with @justason and @Murf'n'surf who were watching our progress.

It also has GPS capabilities and provides mapping for your phone, tablet or computer.

Is there a monthly subscription fee for the Delorme?

 

[Bruce]

Is there a monthly subscription fee for the Delorme?

Yes, you can see the plans at http://www.inreachdelorme.com/product-info/subscription-plans.php

I am using the Freedom plans which allow me to turn it on for a month at a time.

Last year I compared it to SPOT and found that the monthly plans for inReach made it less expensive than SPOT.

A PLB would not have a subscription but needs an expensive battery every five years making it more expensive to operate for a month a year. The PLB is also limited to SOS signal functionality with no ability to communicate anything more than your location.

 

[robert843]

@Bruce that is a pretty smokin deal I'm half tempted to buy a few and post them on ebay. The used ones have been averaging more then that on there.

#exumas2016