Bimini 2015 - July 6th to 11th

[robert843]

So those who have already set up a float plan maybe able to help me. I'm trying to set it up but I think I'm doing it backwards in the first step I set up my departure for Bimini and second step I set my arrival at Bimini. Its not lettin select a US return location its blanked out. Are we only supposed to set up the return trip in the float plan through the SVRS site?

 

[Andy S]

So those who have already set up a float plan maybe able to help me. I'm trying to set it up but I think I'm doing it backwards in the first step I set up my departure for Bimini and second step I set my arrival at Bimini. Its not lettin select a US return location its blanked out. Are we only supposed to set up the return trip in the float plan through the SVRS site?

Yes only the return trip is recorded.

 

[upperdeck]

On my float plan, I have recorded both the outbound to bimini leg and my inbound return to port everglades leg.

 

[upperdeck]

Calling all Captains...

Our Captains Meeting wil take place on July 5 at 5pm at the pool at the Bahia Mar. If it's raining the location will be the north end of the marina building lobby. @andy07sx230ho will be distributing the t-shirts.

A reminder of the following for entry to the Bahamas:

a) One copy of The Bahamas Customs Clearance Form, download from http://www.bahamas.com/sites/default/files/Bahamas_Custom_Clearance.pdf

b) One Bahamas Immigration Card per person
a. 3 piece carbonless form, can only get on Bimini or contact Bimini Tourism in Fort Lauderdale and they will send some to you. I will pass these out at the captains meeting.

c) Each persons passport.

d) Your Boat Registration.

e) Exact cash for your Bahama's entry fee which is $150 for boats up to 30' or $300 for over 30'. Plus $25 for each passenger after the first three. This fee includes your fishing license.

f) Your boat insurance.

g) A yellow quarantine flag to fly on your boat upon arrival. A yellow t-shirt or rag will suffice.

 

[ArmyChief]

@upperdeck ,

I have the Bahama flag also. I was under impression after checking in customs, you switch flags.

Can you just take down yellow and fly the U.S. Flag after checking in?

 

[Bruce]

@upperdeck ,

I have the Bahama flag also. I was under impression after checking in customs, you switch flags.

Can you just take down yellow and fly the U.S. Flag after checking in?

It is courteous to fly the Bahamas Courtesy Flag after checking in.

 

[ArmyChief]

Ok, what I thought..that's why I bought both last year and flew the courtesy flag after checking in.

Thanks for reaffirming

 

[upperdeck]

There are no flag requirements other than the yellow quarantine flag. But it is cool to fly your courtesy flag!

The quarantine flag is taken down after your boat clears customs. Also, the only person allowed off the boat before clearing customs is the master of the vessel.

 

[ArmyChief]

Yup..knew that...I get to tell the wife, "I'm the master"

 

[waterboy]

I get to tell the wife, "I'm the master"

Yeah for an hour... story of my life

 

[robert843]

Calling all Captains...

Our Captains Meeting wil take place on July 5 at 6 pm at the pool at the Bahia Mar. If it's raining the location will be the north end of the marina building lobby. @andy07sx230ho will be distributing the t-shirts.

A reminder of the following for entry to the Bahamas:

a) One copy of The Bahamas Customs Clearance Form, download from http://www.bahamas.com/sites/default/files/Bahamas_Custom_Clearance.pdf

b) One Bahamas Immigration Card per person
a. 3 piece carbonless form, can only get on Bimini or contact Bimini Tourism in Fort Lauderdale and they will send some to you. I will pass these out at the captains meeting.

c) Each persons passport.

d) Your Boat Registration.

e) Exact cash for your Bahama's entry fee which is $150 for boats up to 30' or $300 for over 30'. Plus $25 for each passenger after the first three. This fee includes your fishing license.

f) Your boat insurance.

g) A yellow quarantine flag to fly on your boat upon arrival. A yellow t-shirt or rag will suffice.

I have never carried an insurance card on any of my vessels so I don't have a clue where they are. Will an insurance declaration page work probably or should I get Allstate to send new ones? Is proof of insurance required to enter the Bahamas or does Bimini Sands Marina require it?

 

[upperdeck]

Honestly, that list was copied from a discussion with @Bruce . I left it on the list, but I've never been asked for it by any one. Still, not a bad thing to carry.

 

[Andy S]

I have never carried an insurance card on any of my vessels so I don't have a clue where they are. Will an insurance declaration page work probably or should I get Allstate to send new ones? Is proof of insurance required to enter the Bahamas or does Bimini Sands Marina require it?

Declaration page is probably good enough, Bahamas custom will want to see it.

 

[Bruce]

@robert843, I am sure that the declarations page would be sufficient, but you can print cards on Allstates website. Do your local water police not ask to see proof of insurance?

 

[upperdeck]

There is no insurance requirement in Wisconsin for boats.

 

[ArmyChief]

? Is proof of insurance required to enter the Bahamas or does Bimini Sands Marina require it?

I can tell you proof of insurance is NOT needed to clear customs/enter Bahamas. What I can say is that in the U.S., many marinas want to see it if you are staying docked there for some time. I would say bring anything you have with insurance name and policy #, if you have it

 

[ArmyChief]

Declaration page is probably good enough, Bahamas custom will want to see it.

Really?...they did not ask me...

 

[Andy S]

Really?...they did not ask me...

It might be just my habit to provide my insurance card when someone asks for my registration, which they have always done to me.

 

[upperdeck]

I agree about the registration. They certainly do want that!

 

[justason]

My GoPro is still in box
No time...hoping someone can give me a crash course.

I'm not the one to ask about Bimini, as this is our first to this island. However, based off my reading...restaurant's are scarce and most pack their food.

Your gonna love your gopro......but be wary on using the wifi feature. It'll consume your battery post haste!!!!

A spare battery is never a bad thing. I have 3. Also the memory card has the be specific to the camera. Class 10 i think?!???? The memory will hold more than you'd expect too.

I do all my recording at 960. Depending on your end goal for the vids. Youtube usually condenses the video quality anyways. I've never been disappinted at the 960 setting

The only error i seem to repeat on my camera is i knock it out of video mode into camera mode sometimes. That sucks. Therefore i usually power down between shots