2020 Bimini Trip July 12-18th

[Yamaha212limiteds]

Im interested

 

[robert843]

This is a move in the correct direction.

No more COVID travel card, borders open to domestic travel next week

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Domestic travelers will no longer need to see a doctor before booking commercial travel through the islands. In a statement today, the Office of the Prime Minister announced the c…

ewnews.com

 

[robert843]

This is good news as well they don't expect there to be any travel restrictions when they reopen July 1st as well.

D’Aguilar: Bahamas-U.S. travel still open, but flights significantly reduced for a while

NASSAU, BAHAMAS — Minister of Tourism and Aviation Dionisio D’Aguilar assured yesterday that The Bahamas has no travel restrictions to and from the United States that would stop tourists from…

ewnews.com

 

[Julian]

Lets hope this holds.....there is still some discussion about having a negative covid test and being quarantined. Not sure how I'd be able to drive from Raleigh to Tampa to Ft. Lauderdale and say I've been quarantined for 14 days!

 

[robert843]

Lets hope this holds.....there is still some discussion about having a negative covid test and being quarantined. Not sure how I'd be able to drive from Raleigh to Tampa to Ft. Lauderdale and say I've been quarantined for 14 days!

The quarantine thing was concern as well. I’m ok with testing if that’s what they decide to do in the end. My other concern is everything moves slower in the Bahamas and I’m not sure if the July 1st date was calculated on Bahamas time or not but it appears to be progressing nicely

 

[BBottoms]

Hoping they firm it up sooner than later. I've got flexibility on AirBNB reservation to cancel up to 1 week out but if we're not going to the Bahamas we're going to Florida with the boat and availability in Florida is dropping daily!

 

[robert843]

Hoping they firm it up sooner than later. I've got flexibility on AirBNB reservation to cancel up to 1 week out but if we're not going to the Bahamas we're going to Florida with the boat and availability in Florida is dropping daily!

How about this for firming it up they will be allowing private boaters back on June 15th

Tourism phased reopening to begin on June 15 - The Nassau Guardian

Boaters, yachters and private pilots will be allowed to travel to The Bahamas as of June 15, Tourism Minister Dionisio D’Aguilar announced on Tuesday. Additionally, commercial airlines will be allowed to bring in Bahamians, permanent residents and home owners, along with their family members...

thenassauguardian.com

 

[Yamaha212limiteds]

Can you guys add me to the head count? Whats the best area to stay, and visit?

 

[Speedling]

Lets hope this holds.....there is still some discussion about having a negative covid test and being quarantined. Not sure how I'd be able to drive from Raleigh to Tampa to Ft. Lauderdale and say I've been quarantined for 14 days!

My brother is a firefighter/paramedic and has had multiple tests. Different results on each including antibody tests. The tests are pointless with the mutations and such already is my best guess.

 

[jethrof16]

Do we have a comm officer? I'm getting up to speed on marine VHF and noticed that these radios have group settings as well as a position polling function to display the other boats in the group. Have these been used in the past? What channels are normally used for the trip over and back and for making group announcements while there? Thanks for the help.

 

[Julian]

Do we have a comm officer? I'm getting up to speed on marine VHF and noticed that these radios have group settings as well as a position polling function to display the other boats in the group. Have these been used in the past? What channels are normally used for the trip over and back and for making group announcements while there? Thanks for the help.

We use channel 69 for the whole trip. As we get closer we'll figure out the timing of the various crossing groups.

 

[Yamaha212limiteds]

Add our crew of 8 to this trip. We have 2 confirmed reservations at Bimini Sands (units 10-C and 4-A). I also booked a 2 bedroom (unit 20-A) that I plan to cancel. Let me know if anyone needs it before I do.
We have a 2018 242X that is yet to be named.

I would be interested on that reservation. Still available?

 

[Julian]

I would be interested on that reservation. Still available?

I may also have a 1 bedroom ocean front available (still trying to nail down who in my family is coming!). Let me know if interested.

 

[jethrof16]

We use channel 69 for the whole trip. As we get closer we'll figure out the timing of the various crossing groups.

So no-one has used the position polling feature? Seems like it would be a good backup in case of bad weather.

 

[Yamaha212limiteds]

I may also have a 1 bedroom ocean front available (still trying to nail down who in my family is coming!). Let me know if interested.

We are five. And would love to make it happen. Thanks @Julian

 

[BBottoms]

So no-one has used the position polling feature? Seems like it would be a good backup in case of bad weather.

This was discussed in one of the Bimini threads a few years ago. I think some had tried it but it was more involved than it initially seemed and with so many folks with varying equipment that they weren't experts on, and that may or may not be networked together, it was of limited use. My Plotter has the capability to show polled location info but my VHF only has NMEA 0183 versus the NMEA 2000 on my plotter, so networking them together, although not impossible, doesn't make sense for a single trip. I could literally buy a new NMEA 2000 VHF for the cost of the 0183 to 2000 converter cable, which run around $200.

 

[Julian]

So no-one has used the position polling feature? Seems like it would be a good backup in case of bad weather.

We did share MMSI numbers in the past but not many people had chart plotters or numbers to make it useful/effective. The reality is that we cross in a group that doesn't lose sight of one another (or shouldn't). We cross when the weather looks to be good.

That said, it would be interesting to try and improve our coordination and location capabilities. My Garmin 94SV supports DSC and I think I have it wired correctly to my Standard Horizon radio, but honestly have NEVER tested this. This would require some time with the captains before departure to get this tested and understood.

That said, sharing MMSI numbers would be a good idea.

 

[Julian]

I am keeping the group list up to date on the first post, so if you are joining this crossing and your name isn't there let me know.

Also, if you want to share your MMSI # there, I will add it.

 

[BBottoms]

Also, if you want to share your MMSI # there, I will add it.

MMSI# 338318337

 

[Speedling]

So no-one has used the position polling feature? Seems like it would be a good backup in case of bad weather.

I think some that go may have capability and not realize it. I bought my vhf before i understood much of that and it has dsc but not ais. I want to upgrade to have ais and a plotter but wife says not worth the money. Need an inexpensive option.