GB Shipyard set for annual fishing tourney

Wed, Mar 11th 2015, 10:23 AM

FREEPORT, Grand Bahama -- Not only do they fix ships but they love to be on them too. This year will make the fifth year that the staff of the Grand Bahama Shipyard (GBS) will host their popular annual fishing tournament, set for Saturday March 14, at the Grand Bahama Yacht Club on Midshipman Road.

With "Donating to our Youth" as this year's theme, the management team and dedicated workers of the yard will take to the seas and to the Grand Bahama Yacht Club to raise funds for the Grand Bahama Children's Home, the Grand Bahama Youth Choir, the Sir Charles Hayward Library, local schools on Grand Bahama, and members of The Bahamas' IAAF World Relays Bahamas 2015 team from Grand Bahama. The 2015 International Association of Athletics Federations' (IAAF) World Relay Championships are set for May 2 and 3 at the Thomas A. Robinson National Stadium in New Providence.

"We have been very successful over the years since we started with only 13 boats five years ago," said GBS Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Tournament Director Reuben Byrd. "Last year we had 35 boats and we hope to exceed that this year. We hope to exceed the fund-raising we had last year too."

Activities start on Friday with a "dog fight" tournament at 1 p.m., while the official fishing tournament starts on Saturday at 7 a.m. All boaters should be at the Grand Bahama Yacht Club by 5:30 a.m. for the blessing of the fleet, and beginning at 12 noon on Saturday is a Family Fun Day for those who may not want to fish but still want to enjoy the tournament.

Teams have begun registering on the website for the event at www.grandbahamashipyard.com/fishing and interested persons can also pick up forms at OBS Marine Limited, Long's Marine Limited and Port Lucaya Marina. Byrd noted: "You can also ask for David Brandon, Kay Forbes-Smith or Creighton Moxey at the shipyard for forms. Instructions are also located on the GB Shipyard Facebook page."

Festivities during the tournament and during the weigh-in will take place again at the Grand Bahama Yacht Club.

"There will be a broad score of entertainment on the grounds," said Kay Forbes-Smith, Director of Human Resources and Community Relations. "The Legends Marching Band, the Royal Bahamas Police Pop Band, the Grand Bahama Youth Choir, and DJ Money Like Dirt will all be providing entertainment, and this year we'll also be having a Junkanoo rush-out. Additionally, our MC for the weekend is Lady Empress."

In addition, there will be the usual raffle at the event with Byrd elaborating that there will also be a separate chance to win a fantastic seven-day Carnival cruise. For kids, there will be bouncing castles, fun games and of course the famous dunking booth that seems to be the highlight of the annual event.

Byrd also noted: "We're doing things a little different this year because we're going to have a little diversity in our food with some national Peruvian, Romanian and Filipino food out there, all for purchase." Smith said the reason for adding the diversity of dishes was to have all their staff participate. "With an international staff they wanted to highlight the different cultural foods, including Bahamian dishes."

Three-time champions the Executive Marine team is the team to beat again this year. Competition is expected to be strong, with several teams coming in from the United States, New Providence and locally in Grand Bahama -- all hoping to beat the undefeated team.

"The Mellor brothers have been fishing these waters since they could crawl and they know them very well and they're hard to beat," said Byrd. "There are several teams coming in this year from the United States and we're promoting two additional teams this year from The Bahamas to see what we can do to make sure, that they do not sweep it again," he laughed.

Byrd added that there will also be a floating trophy for the winner as well as an increased prize purse of $6,100. He also revealed that the fishing tournament categories have changed slightly; same categories but teams can now weigh two fish per category instead of just one fish per category. The tournament will also have a trophy for second and third place finishers.

Keeping in mind to not over-fish the waters, the shipyard will be working with the local fisheries department to make sure all is fair and in season. Rules of the tournament will be discussed at the Captain's Party, the night before, held this year at the Grand Bahama Yacht Club at 7 p.m.

Byrd ended by thanking all the sponsors, especially the Grand Bahama Power Company for graciously providing electricity for the entire weekend. He also noted that he wants to remind all involved what the weekend is about.
"I personally believe investing in the youth is what gives you good citizens tomorrow. We've got to continue to do this, so please come out and join our fishing tournament or come out to the festivities to help our youth programs."
The 5th Annual Youth Benefit Fishing Tournament is expected to be bigger and better than ever before.

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