ECSA Cruise Calendar
LABOR DAY
WEEKEND CRUISE with “BURN IT “ at 4 p.m., Sunday,
Aug. 31. We will be cruising to Sebastian Inlet State Park, Labor Day
weekend, Saturday and Sunday, August 30 and 31. We have Pavilion # 3
reserved for Sunday. Pavilion # 3 is located on the south point near the
boat ramps and restrooms. Sail down either Saturday or Sunday for a get
together dinner on Sunday night. Since we will be at a location that
anyone can drive to, we would like to welcome any of our members and
their guests that may want to drive down and enjoy the fun with us. For
those with small boats, and want to trailerthem down, no problem. Come
join us for Sunday and stay for dinner. Sail the clear waters around
Sebastian. This will be a simple “Burn It” and share. Bring a main dish
for yourself to grill (hamburgers/hotdogs, etc) and a dish to share with
others. We plan to eat around 4 p.m. on Sunday.
Jim Henry got me involved with cruising and asked me to take it over at
the last meeting. I have started awebpage that lists the cruises that
come up at:
http://www.pageproffitt.com/cruiselist.htm.
I hope to plan a cruise once a month, if the interest is there for it.
If there is a way to involve the small boat fleet on these cruises, I
will try to do that as well. If you have any suggestions I would
appreciate anything youmight have...email me at
rpp@pageproffitt.com or call 321-806-0303.
Page Proffitt/Cruising
The latest
report from Hasty Miller (08/25/2008)
2008 Cruises to
Marker 21
2nd Saturday of the Month
MYC will provide wood for fire, hot dogs and
marshmallows (former girl scouts will appreciate having s'mores!)
There will be cruises the 2nd Saturday of each
month, no cost, no notice, just show up and have fun. Contact Debbie McGregor at
321-952-8540 or
rearcommodore@melbourneyachtclub.com
if you need additional information or if you need a ride on someone's
boat.
2008
Kayaking Expeditions
3rd Saturday of the Month
MYC kayak trips are typically held the third
Saturday of each month. Contact John Martin at
jhmartin@mindspring.com
or Carol
Mairs at
mairznotes@pocketmail.com
2008 Seafood Raft-Up
May 17
The 2008MYC Seafood Raft-Up will take place
Saturday May 17, and forecasts are for a beautiful full moon night.
Skipper's meeting for the raft-up is at 6pm at
MYC. The raft forms on a designated boat in a specific order, so you MUST
attend the skipper's meeting to get your assigned place in the raft (6pm at MYC).
Food is provided from designated 'food boats'.
After we eat, everyone is free to roam the raft and take part in our informal
pick'n and grin'n sessions. At 11pm sharp, the raft-master will blow a
horn, and the raft will begin breaking up from the outer edges. Inner
boats are encouraged to hang out for a little bit to allow Melbourne Harbor
congestion to die down.
If you do not have a boat, you can usually find
someone who'll let you ride along. Hasty Miller will help those new
members who are too bashful to beg a ride, to find a spot.
RESERVATIONS ARE REQUIRED by May 10 Contact
Hasty Miller
Last Minute Reminders:
-
Wear boat shoes.
And bring a jacket--no matter how hot it is during
the day, it's always cool out on the river at night.
-
If you're to be
a guest aboard someone else's boat, ask about life jackets--you might need to
bring one.
-
It is customary
for guests to bring an hors d'oeuvre to have something for everyone to snack on
while the raft is forming.
-
Dinner includes
2 beers or sodas per person. "Really thirsty people should bring their own".
-
All skippers
should make sure they attend the Skipper's Meeting at 6pm, unless you've made
specific arrangements with Hasty otherwise.
-
DON'T FORGET
YOUR MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS!--there'll be pick'n & grin'n somewhere on the raft
after dinner.
-
Wandering the
raft and looking at boats is also customary. Be courteous, however, and make
sure you are back on your own boat at 11pm when the raft breaks up.
-
Be Safe & Have
Fun!
"Rafting
Up by the Numbers" (pointers on the rafting process) by former MYC
Commodore, Ed Roberts.
Bahamas Tips (updated 1/22/2008)
Bahamas Air Sea Rescue (BASRA)
Float Plan
Be sure your point of contact back home has the necessary
information to start a search or make emergency contact if needed. In general
that means an itinerary, description of the vessel (info above), number of
people on board at given times (if changes), understanding of when to consider
you missing. Make SURE you check in with them before the 'missing' time
elapses!
If someone needs to reach you in the Abacos, use
Cruisers@oii.net. Have them put the boat
name in the subject line and believe me, Patty or someone from the Cruiser's Net
WILL find you.
Communication Plan for Crossing Stream
If you are crossing with other boats, make sure you discuss a
communications plan. (What channel and how often (hourly is recommended)).
BEFORE you are out there, know how far your radio will transmit on the chosen
channel. A proper mast-top antenna on high power should go ~20 miles.
If yours does not, replace your coax and/or antenna (you'll want that range in
the Bahamas).
Crossing Recommendations
Do not head directly into the stream. If you have to tack,
wait until you get onto the bank.
A common plan is to either go from Ft. Pierce or West Palm to Mangrove Cay - about 75-85nmi.
On the return, the distance from West End to Ft Pierce is 86nmi.
Customs in Abaco
You will need either a passport for each
person clearing. Everyone on board must have a pass valid PASSPORT. A birth
certificate is no longer enough. (New Rule in 2008)
Fly the Q flag once you enter Bahamian waters (all yellow flag). Only one person should go
ashore to clear
in. Everyone else should stay on board until the boat has cleared in. To
complete the paperwork you will need; everyone’s passport,
boat registration, ???
Once cleared in replace the Q flag with courtesy
flag.
Use "provisions" to fill out blank for what you
have with you as far as food etc.
You may carry weapons into the Bahamas, however you MUST register them. If you
are caught with an unregistered weapon, they can take your vessel. The
feeling is weapons are NOT needed and we have never carried any
and wouldn't recommend it.
If you plan to bring your pet, write to the
Department of Agriculture
PO Box N-3704
Nassau, Bahamas
phone: 242-325-7502
This is a $10.00 fee and is much easier to do
ahead of time. Most ports of entry DO NOT HAVE AGRICULTURE offices there. There
is no way to pay the fee and they will hold you and your boat at the port of
entry unti you get someone to pay the fee in the March Harbor Office!! You will
need to have your Vet fill out a health certificate within 1 month of entry.
Here is latest word on the check-in fee (2004,
still current in 2008):
"The Bahamas has given due
consideration to the concern of the boating community and has decided that the
current Fees of $150 for boats up to 35 feet in length and $300 for boats over
35 feet, shall be valid for two entries during any 90 day period, commencing
December 1, 2003 as an interim measure."
Once cleared in replace Q flag with courtesy flag.
Clearing back in to the U.S.
It is now possible to go to the Melbourne
Airport (or any US Customes & Border Protection Office) before you leave. Call
customs and make an appointment. Bring your passport and photo ID and they will
isssue yuo a "pin" that you can use when you enter the country. That and the
"user fee decal" number are all you need to enter with a phone call. Otherwise,
you do need to present yourself at the US Customs and Border Protection Office.
Boats over 25 feet need to have a "User
Fee Decal". This can be done on line through US Customs and is a $25.00 fee.
Also, Chris Reynolds tried something
different in 2005. His report of clearing in at Melbourne Airport can be
found here,
Clearing in to the US the Easy Way.
The rules on taking conch have changed recently. The newest rules
direct from the Minister of Tourism, dated October 24, 2007, states that "no
vessel shall have on board at any time conch, exceeding six".
Navigation Once in Abaco
Recommend getting current copy of Steve Dodge "Abaco Guide". It
is available at both West Marine's. The waypoints in Dodge are good.
Abaco is in the process of changing to Red,
Right, Returning. The West Point/Eagle Rock (Hopetown channel) is a green
flasher. North Parrot Cay is a red flasher.
Once in the Sea of Abaco - it's like the Indian
River except mostly 20 feet deep and clear blue. You will get good at reading
the water depth by the colors.
There is about a 2.5 to 3 ft tide change (high to
low). You may need to watch your timing at the shallower locations, i.e. entrance
to Little Harbor.
Communication once in Abaco
Channel 16 should not be used - it is for emergency and local
phone use. 68 is the cruising boat hailing channel, but even if it's quiet, you
should move off to talk (a lot of people are listening to that channel). There is a Cruiser's Net
each day at 8:30 (maybe 8:00) on channel 68, once you get down towards Green
Turtle.
Security
You are probably safer in Abaco than in the US.
We have never needed to lock the boat, but that's up to each captain.
Dinghies are safe at the docks without being locked up. Just be sure to have a
dinghy anchor to keep it out from under the dock.
Fun Things to Do
Fishing - pole or spear. Dodge has all the regulations.
Finding legal conch.
Snorkeling.
Shelling.
Meeting locals.
Visiting local watering holes - every bar has their own special rum drink.
Shopping - mostly Marsh Harbor, Green Turtle and Hopetown.
Going up in the Hopetown lighthouse.
Don't miss the 'Signing Tree' at Alan's Pensacola.
Don't miss Double-Breasted for a few days.
Link
to Royal Marsh Harbor Yacht Club Links Page
Boating in the Abacos
