Loving Bimini !....

Bound for Bimini!

By

Jan Stephen Maizler

Photography

By

Captain Jon Cooper

As a long time boater, angler, and traveler, I’ve concluded that the Bahamas are one of the most “ boating-friendly” of America’s adjacent subtropical neighbors. If you’ve been there before, I’m sure you’d agree and if you have not, you’re in for a splendorous treat. The cruising, fishing, and exploring opportunities are endless in an island nation where the waters are so clear, it seems that your vessel is gliding over air.

The Bimini chain of the Bahamas are closest to Florida. Bimini (technically, it is composed of north and south islands) lies only forty-eight nautical miles east of Miami. For first time U.S. boaters making the crossing to the Bahamas, Bimini is the destination of choice for so many reasons.

Besides a readily-available proximity, this island has a fishery for marlin, bonefish, wahoo and at times, bluefin tuna that has lured angling giants like Ernest Hemingway and Michael Lerner to its deeps and sports heroes such as Jack Nicklaus to its flats. Bimini has developed a colorful history that is unmatched by any other Bahamian island. That’s why veteran boaters as well cross over from the states to stay and fish at Bimini again and again.

For non-angling spouses, family, or friends who come across the Gulf Stream with their skipper, there’s much to do. The snorkeling, diving, grill fish stands, straw market, Ansil Saunder’s boat factory, and Ashley Saunder’s Dolphin House will appeal to many. For the more mythically minded, a dive over the Bimini Roads will reveal what some feel are the remains of Atlantis. Perhaps a trip and dip to the Healing Hole is in order- Ponce de Leon is reputed to have visited this very same spot in the search for the Fountain of Youth.

Clearly, Bimini offers great fun for everyone. Yet one of this island’s most recent happenings is of utmost relevance to U.S. boaters: this is the development of Bimini Bay Resort and Marina (http://www.biminibay.com/). This new ambitious complex offers beautiful housings that can be rented for vacation or purchased, an infinity pool and snack bar, and the gourmet Casa Lyon restaurant. They have completed the building of the first part of two of the largest full-service marinas in the Bahamas. Because of Bimini Bay Resort and Marina, Bimini just got better in the biggest way for traveling boaters.


The Bimini Crossing-

Although forty-eight miles from the U.S.A. to an exotic foreign port seems a short distance, comprehensive planning and boat preparation are essential. In large part this is because you’ll be crossing the mighty Gulf Stream: this mighty river in the Atlantic Ocean has a current that flows at two and a half knots minimum and sports depths of thousands of feet. Depending on weather conditions, the Gulf Stream can range from a flat calm sapphire-colored expanse to a towering sea of white and sapphire rolling and breaking with fifteen-feet high waves.

The general guidelines and goals you’ll want to accomplish includes everything from float plans, flotilla organizing, boat and engine checks and preparation, accessory (redundancy) acquisitions like prop hubs and spark plugs, full safety equipment status, and of course, a solid “weather window” check.

It’s easy to file a float plan with the proper parties- then, the day of your departure and estimated arrival is not a mystery or event known only to yourself. Given the proper time and affiliations, it’s also relatively easy to contact other boaters to carve out the time for a Bimini trip and cross over in their own vessel. Creating a flotilla enriches the maxim that there is not only strength - but also safety as well in numbers.

You’ll want to carefully and thoroughly go over every working part of your vessel and its’ propulsion system. Use your “crisis management” imagination and think about any part that might fail: buy an exact replacement for your crossing when it is practical and realistic to do so. Using the concept of redundancy to govern your spare parts choices creates a thorough back-up capacity for you in case failure strikes while you’re on the high seas and far from port. For instance, bilge pump integrity is essential as well as the intact fully charged battery that powers it.

As an experienced boater, you’ve checked and obtained the required safety equipment you are to have onboard your vessel. Amongst those items are life jackets and fire extinguisher(s) that should be checked and in good “fresh” working order. Make sure you have lots of and only SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) flares. For better peace of mind, spend the money on a fully equipped inflatable life raft and emergency kit. You’ll also want to complete this category of safety equipment with a high quality EPIRB.


Life in an age of technology has simplified navigation for big water boaters. Take advantage of this and be sure to acquire a GPS/Chartplotter with a worldwide basemap as part of your navigation electronics. For safety sake, back your unit up with a hand-held GPS. Since you won’t want the electronic revolution to deprive you of needed seamanship skills, you should have the implements and training to dead reckon across the Gulf Stream: this traditional methodology transcends electronics. These skills include coordinating your course with compass heading and the speed of the Gulf Stream’s current. Obviously, a go-fast center console fishing boat will have lesser adjustments than a sailboat.


Your communication electronics should include a good waterproof mounted VHF radio with a high antenna. It would be better yet if you purchased and installed an SSB radio. You’ll attain the fullest peace of mind in your communications arsenal by adding a handheld VHF radio as well as a satellite telephone, the latter of which can be rented. Be sure to get waterproof casings for your handheld items.



Watching the Weather-

Generally speaking, summertime is the calmest time of the year for you to make the crossing over to Bimini and the Bahamas. The one caveat is to anticipate and “scan” for the development of the sometimes fiercely potent afternoon thunderstorms that build up over the Florida mainland and proceed seaward.


Since the Gulf Stream flows northward along the Miami to Bimini route, any day with substantial winds out of any northerly quadrant should be ruled out as a “crossing day.” These conditions often involve the cold fronts of fall, winter, and spring that can heap up offshore seas to heights that are dangerously high. During South Florida’s “season”, be sure to pick a “weather window” when the seas are either quite calm or feature light winds out of a southerly or southeasterly direction.


Your Destination-

If your arrival is during the daylight hours, you’ll get the first hint of real-time landfall by the presence of boats trolling offshore of Bimini. If it’s dark, be on the lookout for the tower with red lights. Even though your GPS is there to hold your hand and confirm your position, learn to use your eyes to tweak out and experience the images that verify your arrival: it’s been done since time immemorial and it’s more fun.


Ease through the Bimini Inlet and proceed to clear Bahamian Customs and Immigration. Since you’ve done your homework and arranged dockage, cruise over, tie off, and snuggle up to some welcome land. In your planning, it’s the safest bet to make your arrangements with Bimini Bay Resort and Marina- because of its huge size and unmatched services and amenities, this is the preeminent place for you and your vessel.


All that done, put on more sunblock and throw on a swimsuit…or perhaps it’s fishing clothes for the flats or bluewater…or maybe shorts and a sport shirt for a walk around Alice Town. Have a cool tropical drink and get into the island groove: no worries, mon!
You arrived safely and successfully. Enjoy yourself now- you’ve earned it!