BIMINI BASH
THURSDAY, MAY 30 - SUNDAY, JUNE 2, 2024
www.blkboaters.com
FLOTILLA TO BIMINI
Join the Black Boaters of SOFLO for our annual Bimini, Bahamas Bash!
Our journey to Bimini, a beautiful island just 50 miles off Florida's coast, will be packed with boating, beach activities, parties, and other exhilarating excursions we plan to explore by boat. Our journey will begin on Thursday, June 1, 2024, promptly at 7:00 AM.
Our lead captain will provide departure instructions and rendezvous coordinates to ensure an efficient and unified crossing. Captains should stay tuned to VHF channel 68 for updates and any issues that may arise. Remember, captains, this trip is weather-dependent!
Prepare for a 7:00 AM departure. Details will be provided as we get closer.
NOTE: A captains meeting will be held via Zoom at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, May 28. Location and time will be determined soon.
Captains are asked to please the marina attendants that will be assisting with the docking process as we pull into the designated slips.
Thursday, June 1, 2024
FISHERMAN’S
VILLAGE MARINA
NOTE: Special Black Boaters of SOFLO Rate
GOLF CARTS (APPROXIMATELY NOON)
HOTEL
ACCOMMODATIONS (4 PM CHECK IN)
NOTE: Special Black Boaters of SOFLO Rate
CUSTOMS CLEARENCE: Approximately 11:15 AM to NOON (BOAT CAPTAINS ONLY)
POOL PARTY - MEET AND MINGLE (7:45 PM - 11:00 PM)
LOCATION: TBA
ATTIRE: Swim Wear or Casual Island Wear
www.blkboaters.com
Friday, June 2, 2024
STOP 1: Snorkel at the Sapona Shipwreck NOTE: Drop anchor individually. (2 hours)
STOP 2: Raft-up at Honeymoon Harbour, chillax with water toys, and dingy to the private island to feed the sharks and sting rays.(3 hours)
DINNER ON YOUR OWN
Smithy s Seafood Bar (seafood), Pat and Ebby’s (Seafood), Edith s Pizza (Pizza, BBQ, and Seafood, etc.)
NOTE: The town’s very own, Shammy Sammy, and his crew will provide all the contacts you need for fresh seafood, fishing excursions, diving, and boat cleaning services if needed. Call 242-805-8769
HOTEL DINING OPTIONS : The Tides, Hemingways, Oasis, The Sushi Bar, and Oasis, Beach Club 360
DANCING AT BIG JOHNS (10:00 PM) for those who enjoy dancing.
NOTE: Food is only served until 10:00PM
Saturday MORNING, June 1, 2024
CJ’s Deli (Seafood Breakfast)
Brewhouse Café and Boba Bar (Breakfast Sandwiches & Pancakes)
SHOPPING FOR SOUVENIRS AT THE BIMINI CRAFT CENTRE
t-shirts, caps, beach bags, swim wear, and other souvenirs (9:45 AM - 10:45AM)
Caravan by Golf Cart (leaving the marina at 9:45 AM sharp)
* Only for those interested
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Saturday MIDDAY, June 1, 2024
RAFT UP ON THE BEACH (12:00 PM 4:00 PM)
* We will tie up on the 360 beach. Two local guides have been contracted to assist.
Pat and Ebby’s (Seafood), Scants Jerk (Chicken & Ribs), My Three Daughters Restaurant (seafood), Nate’s Bimini Bread
Saturday NIGHT, June 1, 2024
DOCKTAILS AT THE MARINA (9:00 PM - 10:00 PM)
Serve your favorite cocktails on your boat while feeding the sharks by underwater boat lights.
Sunday, June 2, 2024 (AM)
DEPARTURE TIME: 9:00 AM
The lead captain may decide to select an earlier departure time dependent upon the weather forecast. The time may be as early as 7:00 AM.
CHECK LIST Quarantine Flag (yellow flag) Valid Passport & Driver’s License for Each Passenger Stock Your Boat with Food and Other Provisions Life Vests (1 per passenger) and Other Safety Gear Dock Lines and Fenders Engine and Equipment Serviced and Fully OperationFit Shirts/Pay For Tickets for Thursday and Saturday Nights Events Appropriate Tools and Spare Parts VHF Radio Tuned into 68 Book Hotel and Golf Carts in Advance Appropriate Fuel Levels www.blkboaters.com
LARRY QUINLAN WILL SERVE AS THE LEAD CAPTAIN
PRIOR TO DEPARTING
All foreign, private, and non-commercial pleasure boats and their occupants are required to have a cruising permit to sail in Bahamian waters. Note that it is crucial to collect photos of all passengers' passports and driver's licenses, as this information is mandatory when applying for your cruising permit.
CRUISING PERMIT
UPON ARRIVAL
The yellow "quarantine flag" must be affixed to your vessel as you enter Bahamian waters. You can purchase this flag from Amazon or West Marine.
Once you clear customs, lower the quarantine flag and raise the Bahamian Courtesy Flag. You can also purchase the latter from Amazon or West Marine. Note that raising the Bahamian flag is not mandatory.
Prefilling customs paperwork can speed up the clearance process. Upon arrival in port, only the captain of each vessel is allowed to disembark; all other passengers must remain onboard. The captain must provide the driver's licenses, passports, and clearance forms for every passenger and crew to customs for clearance. These forms will be provided upon arrival.
CUSTOM CLEARANCE FORMS
UPON RETURN TO THE US
All vessels returning to the US must notify the US Customs and Border Protection of re-entry into US waters. To streamline the process, the captain or a designated person on the vessel should download the CBP ROAM app to their smartphone from the Apple App Store or Google Play store, prior to embarking on the trip to Bimini. The CBP ROAM app will be used to report your crew’s re-entry into the United States from the convenience of your personal device. Once downloaded, open the app and you’ll be prompted to create a log in.
NOTE: remote inspections by CBP Officers may be requested using the video chat feature within the app.
APP
CBP
ORDER YOUR SHIRTS & HATS NOW Cap = $15.00 Visor = $15.00 Dri Fit = $25.00