The Tribune

A 22-strong fleet pulled into Sandals’ Emerald Bay Marina last Tuesday for a reception held in conjunction with the Ministry of Tourism (MOT).

The flotilla’s stop in Exuma was part of a 12-day tour of the Bahamas arranged by Patrick Galipeau of InterMarine in Miami.

Mr Galipeau said he began these “escapades” after realising many boat owners were nervous about making the crossing from Florida to the Bahamas alone.

“After they experience the Bahamas, they would rather take their two-week vacation and use the boat (they keep in Florida) because the weather is always cooperative and the water is so beautiful, and the Bahamas is so close we can always enjoy that,” Mr Galipeau said during the reception.

Sandals and the Ministry of Tourism hosted the visitors with food, drink and music.

Mr Galipeau said: “This reception here tonight, the welcome... we came here with 22 boats and it was professional, courteous and easy. We couldn’t believe the reception that we had and we are thankful. We will be back.”

Dale Westin, general manager of Sandals’ Marina, said he intends to have more groups such as InterMarine come to Exuma, adding that Mr Galipeau’s group will be bigger in 2014.

“This is the first group that we had come down, and it’s my intention to get a number of these groups to visit Exuma,” said Mr Westin. “We had 120 people in attendance (at the reception). I’m really happy about that.”

Mr Galipeau’s flotilla comprised boats varing in size from 35 to 72 feet, most carrying families from Europe, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Canada and the US.

Their tour took them through Chub Cay to Nassau, then down to Staniel Cay and Great Exuma. The group then went back to Nassau and Paradise Island, on to Bimini and back to Miami.

“People want to enjoy life and the Bahamas is really a part of that for sure,” Mr Galipeau said.