From news reports submitted to CAM
BIMINI
After weeks of delays, the inaugural voyage of the Resorts World Bimini SuperFast Ship took place on July 20 with 600 VIP passengers aboard. Prices start at $49 round-trip during weekdays and $79 during weekends and holidays; port charges and taxes are an additional $20. Resorts World Bimini plans to offer service once a day through August, then possibly offer twice a day service. The vessel cruises 30 knots, can hold 1,500 passengers, and the 50 mile crossing takes approximately two-and-a-half hours. At this time, because the boat cannot dock in Bimini, travelers must take a ferry to shore. Resorts World is seeking permission from The Bahamas government to build an offshore jetty/terminal that will allow service to the island year-round. This initiative has criticized by residents, homeowners and stakeholders, who have formed the Bimini Blue Coalition. They state the jetty/terminal could impact 14 popular reef and wreck sites off of North Bimini. For more information on the SuperFast Ship, visit http://www.rwbimini.com/superfast-cruise-ship. For more information on the Bimini Blue Coalition, visit BiminiBlueCoalition.org.
In the shadows of the inaugural voyage of the SuperFast Ship to Bimini, after four months of service, the Baleària Bahamas Express has suspended service between Bimini and South Florida. Company representatives say transport will resume in the fall with a faster, more modern vessel.
Bertrand Myre, a Quebecois social worker and former mayor of St-Lazare, Québec has purchased Bimini Water Sports, an aquatic activities center, and renamed the operation, Bimini Quebec Water Sports. Located adjacent to the docks at the historic Big Game Club Resort and Marina, Bimini residents Julian Albury and Benjamin Rolle will operate the facility. All profits earned, according to Myre, will be used to help fund the Bimini Québec Project, benefiting Bimini residents. Myre has added new water sports rentals to the facility, including sailboat and powerboat rentals (guided and bareboat), kayaks and paddleboards. Day and sunset sailing, reef fishing and trolling, snorkeling and mangrove tours as well as sailing and yoga classes will also be offered. For more information on Bimini Québec Water Sports, email biminiquebec@live.ca, visit the Bimini Québec Water Sports Facebook page, or call (242) 464-5645.
ABACO
The 16 teams and 62 participants of the fifth annual Green Turtle Club Lionfish Derby rounded up 1,204 lionfish in the one-day tournament held on Saturday, June 22. Participants vied for more than $7,000 in cash prizes. Awards were also given in first through third places, for top foreign boat, as well as first through third for largest and smallest fish caught. For complete tournament results, visit www.REEF.org/lionfish.