Nassau - New Providence Island

Statistics -
- capital city of the Bahamas
- centre of Bahamian economic and social life
- 2l miles long, 7 miles wide
- population 250,000 (over one half of the entire Bahamas population)
- 2 bridges join New Providence Island to Paradise Island at Nassau (69' clearance)
- Nassau harbour can accomodate up to 8 cruise ships at a time
- coastline filled with miles of luxurious residential areas, resort apartment-hotel complexes and
modern developments plus many marinas (some very extravagant offering slips to equally
extravagant yachts)
- huge straw market (one square block), where local women sew colourful designs on baskets
and have other souvenir items for sale
- many roadside conch stands
- 3 forts protected the harbour in past years from rampaging rogues

Crossing the Great Bahama Bank

On February 20th we travelled along with friends on 3 other boats, round North Rock and out to Mackie Shoal on the Bahama bank. L25 4l.00'N, Lo 78 39.00'W. Here we spent the night anchored in 11 feet of water over 40 miles from the nearest land - truly an awesome experience.
On route we sighted a large number of flying fish, as well as a pod of brownish coloured dolphins (some large, some small). The dolphins had their "seaworld" leaps down very well and happily entertained us. A small yellow bird paid us a surprise visit, as it rested awhile on our life lines before heading off again.
We gathered for dinner on board the trawler "Oliver Plunkett" and marvelled at the unending expanse of sea and stars that surrounded us.
Our conversation in the quiet of that starry night was to wonder why we 8, who came together as strangers, should be witness to the shipwreck of the Coronado as we awaited our time to move on, in Bimini. We were anxious to learn any lessons it showed us.
After a rather bouncy night in the sea swells we said our good byes to Nicole and Jacques from Montreal on their trawler, "Oliver Plunkett" and they set their course for Bullock's Harbour.
The 3 sailboats, us, Blind Faith and Tsunami set sail on the 45 mile journey to Chub Cay at the bottom of the Berry Island chain. We all found our way safely on anchor there before dark.
Today we caught our first fish by trolling a silver spoon (60 lb. test-we're optimists) off the back of the boat. After searching through everyone's guide books we came to the conclusion that it was a "Permit" fish. The name we preferred for it was "dinner".
We travelled today from a water depth of 11 feet in the Mackie shoal to over 3 kilometers in the Tongue of the Ocean. The water there was dark purple colour.

THIS IS NOT US!!!!
Heartbreak- What happened?

On Tuesday February 13th when our friends on Tsunami went to bed they left their radio on and heard a vessel in distress calling to any boat that might hear them. Our friends responded to the call but were unable to assist since the skipper calling could only pin-point his location as that of being near a clump of trees either on the North Bimini or South Bimini coast. He was unable to locate the channel to get into the lee of the island anchorage (lost). He had crossed the Gulf Stream alone, he said that his GPS did not agree with his chart and it was dark. There is a new entrance in to Bimini that is not marked on any of the charts or in any of the guide books. The volunteer BASRA (Bahamas Air-Sea Rescue Assocation) also picked up the call but had another rescue effort underway of a 54 foot power boat who's engine had failed.
The people on the Coronado decided to set their anchor in 20 feet of water and wait for daylight. Our friends wished them a good night.
(Wednesday) - The next day we heard that their anchor had dragged and the boat had washed on to the beach. Both aboard had safely walked into shore. A security person was there when they beached.
(Thursday) - The day after that we met the skipper. He told us the damage was minimal (rudder damage and scratches). He was in the process of locating someone to tow her off.
(Friday) - We next heard that when they tried to take her off she was taking on water at the rudder post, where it was damaged. A decision was made to try and patch the hole with underwater epoxy before any more attempts were made to move her.
(Saturday) - On Saturday we went out snorkelling and happened past the boat. We could see that she was laying half way in the sea.
(Sunday) - A gale came through the area (40 knot winds) and she broke completely apart. It was devastating to see the beach strewn with wreckage.

THIS IS NOT US!!!

During our time in Bimini a 35 foot Coronado sailboat became beached and subsequently broke up.
The skipper and his girlfriend were on board at the time but since the Coronado draws only 3.5 feet by the time she was firmly aground on Bimini's windward shore they were actually able to safely walk to shore.
The boat lay intact on the beach for 2 days after becoming beached, so the couple had the opportunity to collect their personal belongings. They spent 2 days after she broke up collecting debris from the beach. One week after the beaching the girlfriend flew home. The skipper sold off the remains of the boat to another boater for $l500.00. The skipper was unsure as to whether he would attempt to sign on to another vessel as crew and continue his southward passage or to go back to the States and possibly buy a new boat.

Bimini Road - Atlantis Rocks

The Bimini Road consists of hundreds of large flat boulders that lay in 15 feet of water just off the west shore of North Bimini.
The rocks are l6 feet square and weight 25 tons.
Geologists confirm that the stones are made of granite which is not found anywhere near the Bahamas.
The Quest for Atlantis expedition convenes here to explore the road. Speculation is that it is a fallen Atlantean temple - remains of the ancient lost continent of Atlantis.
The rock shows that it has been subjected to certain amounts of compression which is understandable since it lies under 15 feet of water but according to geologists the compression was typical of that found on a walk-way - like an ancient road.
They say it was located in a well-trodden area before it was submerged.
One thing that is known for certain is that the radio-active dating of fossils found in the area show that this structure was above water 5,000 years ago and the rock formations themselves are shown to be between 5,000 and l0,000 years old.
Tool marks found under the coral growth on the rocks bear a resemblance to ancient Incan tongue which lends to the speculation that the rock was part of a larger structure or design.
We had an enjoyable afternoon with 6 friends snorkelling to discover and explore underwater this incredibly interesting area.

Aground - Bimini

We underwent a dreadful ordeal by being grounded for over 24 hours in the anchorage in North Bimini.
Our 2 high tide attempts to get free consisted of :
working her by our engine power back and forth through the sand,
using the sails to list her over,
using 2 anchors to kedge off,
pulling on the main halyard to heel her over as we attempted to power her through the sandbar
Finally just the brut force of an assisting trawler pulled her through after a combined effort of 4 men, working in strong winds and heavy rain for 5-6 hours time.
It's wonderful to be afloat once again, at least temporarily, until the strong current, tidal flow and winds have other plans for us.
We are so very grateful for everyone's help.

Bimini - the Bahamas

Statistics - 2 islands (north and south)
major influences - British heritage and religion
7 miles long - 700 yards wide at it's widest point (basically a long sand bar)
elevation 15-20 feet above sea level
main settlement - Alice Town
many fishing tournaments - famous for big game fishing - bonefish, marlin, sailfish, dolphin, wahoo, mackarel, shark, grouper, snapper and conch
famed home of Ernest "Papa" Hemingway whose "Islands in the Stream" was inspired by the Biminis
Observations - the water is indeed turquoise colour and the rum is very inexpensive (l beer $2.05, 6 oz. rum - $l.80)
- huge sting rays and sharks in the harbour
-new channel to enter north island marked by 4 can buoys to supplement original channel marked by 2 orange and white stakes on the beach that form a primitive range - unfortunately channel markings too new to be noted in guide books
-the majority of travel along the one road is by golf cart, then cars, foot and bicycle
-everyone offers a very friendly greeting as you pass of "okay" or "alright"
-the sand at the edge of the road is raked each morning - extremely clean island
-conch shells are used to edge lanes, walls, gardens etc
-there are no liquor laws (we openly enjoyed a bottle of champagne at sunset, on the beach, on
Valentine's Day.
-beer is sold individually and many are drinking it on the street
-freighters frequent the very shallow, strong current, waters of the harbour to stop at the electric generating plant - the yachts on anchor (us and others), do some serious scurrying as they approach
-famed Bimini roads dive site off North Island shore
- new development share the beach with many ruins of past developments that are eroding away
Overall Views
-residents are a very religious, friendly people who made us feel very welcome. They were intently interested in being of service to us in any way possible. We enjoyed our time with them - felt extremely safe.
We made many new friends while on anchor in Bimini - Debbie and Larry on Tsunami, Vivian & Stephan on Floridays, Jacques & Nicole on Oliver Plunkett and Tom & Alexandria on Blind Faith. Solsean from Goderich caught up with us, once again, here.

Crossing the Stream - Gone Sailing

The much awaited weather window arrived on February 8th and we embarked upon our journey across the Gulf Stream to Bimini in the Bahamas. No more motoring along the Inter-coastal waterway for us, it was time to put the sails up and head out to sea - well, that was after we got free from being aground as we exited the harbour.
We had intended to travel with 3 other boats, but by time we realized that 2 of them were not ready, the other had left and was 90 minutes ahead of us (ah, the best laid plans).
It was 0415 hours when we lifted anchor at the venetian causeway and by 0520 hours we were aground behind Dodge Island in the harbour. Fortunately Barry has become very adept at getting us out and we were soon underway again. We made our way through a fleet of small fishing boats that were darting back and forth as they worked the area at the end of the harbour.
We reached the Morse A racon sea buoy at the end of Government cut in Miami at 0600 hours and set our course of 126 degrees magnetic for Bimini. A vector diagram was used to establish the course to compensate for set and drift. We send thanks to Dave Corke and Merritt Ede at CPSS for their excellent instruction that allowed Barry to make a perfect calculation.
The current slowed our progress by l.5 knots.
We enjoyed watching the sun-rise reflect off of the hi-rise buildings in Miami for 25 miles before they slipped from away from view behind us.
We could see and hear a flotilla of 4 other boats, as they contacted each other along the way. We made contact with them on our VHF radio and also kept in contact with Mike on Soaring Eagle, who we knew was 90 minutes ahead.
By 1215 hours Bimini was in sight and by 1500 hours Barry had the quarantine flag up and was on his way to the Customs building. He returned shortly thereafter with a 6 month cruising permit for the Bahamas.
By 1615 hours - exactly 12 hours after our departure, we had the hook down in the turquoise waters off Alice Town, Bimini.
We relaxed that evening, stretched out on the foredeck, under a clear star filled sky that seemed to wrap right around us.

Miami

The Collins canal runs off of the anchorage and made for a pleasant means of dingy travel along the South Beach area.
The Superbowl pre-game festivities enticed us into an extensive tour, on foot, of the wonderful art deco area of South Beach.
As in the Palm Beach area, we delighted in the combination of colours used in the building designs. The warm hues of pink, coral and yellow as well as cool tones of blue, green and lilac give the buldings wonderful eye appeal. Even the sidewalks in Miami were pink! It was all so bright, warm and cheery.
We were awed by the spectacular hotels such as Loews and the Royal Palm that edge the beach walk-way.
The five cruise ships in a row in the harbour attest to the magnitude of Miami as a tourist destination.
We loved every aspect of Miami that we saw and hope to visit again some day.

Miami

We edged our way along the venetian causeway that runs through Biscayne Bay in Miami and dropped anchor on January 3lst.
A welcome visit by the Police informed us that they'd be sorry to see us leave in 7 days or less.
The anchorage is surrounded by hi-rise buildings, five of which are offering a green lazer light show across the bay in the evenings. (picking up 44 wi-fi prospects)
We found ourselves with the best seats in the house for a spectacular fireworks display, on Saturday night, which was part of the Superbowl pre-game festivities.
Many of the buildings are topped with cranes, which seem to be the combined effect of the apparent building boom in North Miami and hurricane damage re-construction.

Superbowl fever in Miami
One Game - One Dream

Miami - Bakers Haulover Inlet

We spent 2 nights anchored off of Florida's University (what fun they must
have with their logo), just north of Miami in Baker's Haulover Inlet.
We beached our dingy here and gave her underside a good scraping - pretty scary to see what's been growing there. It saddens us that she's been taking on water at a fairly steady rate lately.
We use a chain and lock to secure her when we leave her behind while exploring, but we do enjoy knowing that she'd be the last one someone might take.