38Th Regatta Time in Abaco Pits Sailors Against Nature in Weeklong
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July 15, 2013 The Abaconian Section A Page 1 VOLUME 21 NUMBER 14 July 15th, 2013 38th Regatta Time in Abaco pits sailors against nature in weeklong event By Canishka Alexander The event’s continued success was great news for those who regularly attend the Cheeseburger in Paradise Party that was held on July 3, incorporating the American and Bahamian Independence Days into the nine-day event for the 38th Regatta Time in Abaco. This great day signals the start of the Regatta where sail boats traverse triangular or around-the-island courses in the hopes of capturing a win and a bronze sculpture made by Johnston Studios in Lit- tle Harbour. Dr. Ron Hucke from St. Augustine, Fla. was enjoying the beach activities that day, and was also looking forward to par- ticipating in the races aboard his vessel: Erinsong. After 23 years of travelling to The Bahamas, he keeps coming back. And he’s not alone. “There’s not a single boat slip avail- able, the marinas are full, there’s not a single hotel room available, and in fact,” Above: The Abaco ‘Rage’, complete with swashbuckling pirate (near mast) competes in the 38th Regatta. Please see RTIA Page 10 Stranded Naked attendance ‘Brave’ Davis comments on jumps by 25 percent projects during recent visit Above: the Stranded Naked Party, held on Fiddle Cay, is the annual kick-off party for Regatta Time in Abaco. Burgers and drinks are supplied to the large crowds who arrive by boat to the beautiful deserted island. See Page 2. -Photo by Rachel Ahrnsen. Above: the Honourable Philip ‘Brave’ Davis - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Works, was in Abaco on July 5. During his visit he met with the China Harbour Company concerning the North Abaco Port. He also spoke about more roadwork coming for Cen- tral Abaco as well as the impending airport opening. For these stories see pages 5 and 6. Requested Service Service Change Change Permit NO 4595 NO Permit WEST PALM BCH FL BCH PALM WEST Stuart, FL 34997 FL Stuart, PAID 5675 SE Grouper Ave Grouper SE 5675 US POSTAGE US Stuart Web Inc. Web Stuart PRSRT STD PRSRT The Abaconian The Renew your subscription before the expiration date shown in the label below. label the in shown date expiration the before subscription your Renew Page 2 Section A The Abaconian July 15, 2013 Cheeseburger Party kicks off Regatta Time in Abaco By Canishka Alexander What better way to spend a day in paradise than attending Bobb and Patri- cia Henderson’s Annual Stranded Naked Cheeseburger in Paradise Party on Fiddle Cay. Considered the largest beach party in The Bahamas, the couple manage a crew of volunteers, who help to prepare and serve 1,200 -1,300 Bubba Burgers, 600 hot dogs as well as sausage and turkey burger prod- ucts. Above: event organizer, Bobb Henderson, sporting his attention-grabbing Jimmy Buf- Another line offers gallons upon gal- fet hat. lons of margaritas or rum punches, water and Kool-Aid for the children. There are Below: hundreds and hundreds of hungry also activities to work off the large intake and thirsty boaters line up for their burg- of food and drink in the hula hoop and lim- ers and “boat drinks.” -Photo by Rachel bo competitions for all ages. The event is Above: the Stranded Naked party always brings out the characters. Ahrnsen. ideal for the entire family and their pets. Compared to previous years, Hender- “So that’s how the whole thing start- son noted that the attendance this year had ed; it’s all about his music,” Henderson increased by 25 percent. He was not too said in reference to Buffet. surprised because the economy is rebound- He ended by thanking all the persons ing and many people vacation in July. involved with organizing the event includ- “It’s been a great day, and I’ve met ing his usual volunteers who could not a lot of new people and everyone is hav- attend. Sponsors included Bubba Burger, ing a great time,” he said. “Definitely the the Green Turtle Club and Lizards Bar & Abaco economy is picking up, there are a Grill at the Leeward Yacht Club along with lot more boats than I’ve seen in the last two U.S.-based businesses. to three months, and people are coming “But the volunteers have been great, here to spend money, to enjoy the beach, the sponsors have been great, and like I enjoy the sunshine and purchase fuel for said, it’s definitely not going to be the last their boats.” year,” he promised. Balancing his signature 15-pound Jimmy Buffet hat, Henderson said that he added a few more items to it from the mu- sician’s most recent tours. [email protected] July 15, 2013 The Abaconian Section A Page 3 Damianos Page 4 Section A The Abaconian July 15, 2013 coldwell July 15, 2013 The Abaconian Section A Page 5 Central & All Abaco Minister of Works speaks with China Harbour Company Work on North Abaco Port work to start, Little Abaco Bridge scrapped By Timothy Roberts assessment done on the development of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minis- port but no similar assessment was done on ter of Works and Urban Renewal, Philip the bridge to connect Little Abaco. Brave Davis, who met with the China Har- “It was recognized on review that bour Company concerning the proposed the rate of return with respect to the North North Abaco Port on July 5, said that work Abaco Bridge did not warrant the cost of on the port is expected to begin soon. the project at this time. But the port was The project, initially proposed under assessed and is ready to go forward,” he the former administration, was signed with said. the China Harbour Company and included Mr. Davis said that they have been a container port to be located near Coo- working with the Chinese the last six per’s Town as well as replacing the thor- months and that this meeting with China oughfare between Great Abaco and Little Harbour Company is to “ensure that Aba- Abaco with a bridge and restoring the natu- conians play an important and integral part ral flow of water that used to exist there. of that construction in North Abaco.” The project was expected to cost $40 mil- “I don’t expect nor want to see a dis- lion which was to be borrowed from China proportionate number of workers from the Exim Bank. orient here when I compare it with the lo- Mr. Davis said “we understand gov- cal Abaconians who are here and who are ernance and we don’t govern to feed our indeed capable to fulfill the works that is ego – we govern to ensure that the best is necessary,” he said. delivered to the people of The Bahamas. According to Mr. Davis the China The port in North Abaco is going forward. Harbour Company was receptive to the The challenge ensuring Abaconians are given the oppor- “the rate of has been that tunity to work. issues atten- “I think they appreciate that they are return with dant to it be- working in the Commonwealth of The respect to the ing started Bahamas and that the government is con- were not in cerned with the high level of unemploy- North Abaco place.” ment in our country and that there is a Bridge did not He said necessity for them to be receptive the re- warrant the the govern- quests that we make,” he said. ment did a He said “We know what is necessary cost of the revue on the for our people and this is an arrangement project at this internal rate that has to be taken into account.” of return (a Parliamentary Secretary and Minister time. But the rate of return of Parliament for North Abaco, Renardo port was used in capi- Curry had a meeting with them identifying assessed and tal budgeting all the stakeholders here in Abaco in order to measure to assist China Harbour Company in their is ready to go and compare capacity to do the work required. forward,” the profitabil- ity of invest- ments) on the project and found that there had been an Cruising permit increase delayed By Timothy Roberts over 35 feet increased from $300 to $400 A fee increase on cruising permits (a 33.3% increase). initially slated to start as of July 1, 2013 The marina operator said that the has been delayed pending consultation with boating traffic is just getting back to decent marina operators amidst anxiety that the levels after the last increase ten years ago. change would harm boating levels espe- “If anybody did a study and researched cially in the family islands. it they would know we are going to lose Marina operators in Abaco expressed money on it. I know the government needs concern that their businesses which are re- money and it’s always painful, but there’s liant on boaters would see yet another re- better ways to do it that won’t shoot our- duction in boating traffic at a time when selves in the foot,” they said. business is just starting to get better. Boaters reacted angrily on July One marina operator said “Why do 1, 2003 when the government boosted this with only three days’ notice when peo- its previous $100 entry fee to $300 — a ple are already on their way over? We’re 200-percent increase — for boats 35 feet making people mad who are bringing mon- and larger.