Preparations are now underway for the 38th Annual Bernie Butler/BASRA Swim Marathon which has been scheduled for Saturday, August 16th, 2008.

As you know BASRA is the only volunteer Search and Rescue organization in the Bahamas. We are staffed by volunteers and depend entirely on the support of the community through donations, memberships and special fundraising events. We are not government funded, so continued support from the community is vital to our organization. This event helps us to maintain our rescue operations and ongoing commitment to the community of Grand Bahama.

This year BASRA is changing things up a little for the 38th Annual Bernie Butler BASRA Swim Race & Beach Party. We would like to help you enjoy the day to fullest. Let us do the work, you come, relax and have a good time. We have included several packages for you to choose from.

Tuna Package – with the exclusive package there is no need for you to bring anything with you, at a cost of $1,000.00 you will be treated to a 20x20 tent, 6 beach chairs, 6 towels, 6 BASRA Swim Race Shirts, 6 BASRA commemorative cups, 6 food tickets, sunblock and a cooler containing 3 cases of SANDS Beer, 24 sodas, 1 bottle of rum and 12 bottles of water.

Dolphin Package – with this package at $750.00 you get a 15x15 tent, 4 beach chairs, 4 towels, 4 BASRA Swim Race Shirts, 4 BASRA commemorative cups, 4 food tickets and a cooler containing 2 cases of SANDS Beer, 12 sodas, 1 bottle of rum and 12 bottles of water.

Snapper Package – with this package at $600.00 you get a 10x10 tent, 2 beach chairs, 2 towels, 2 BASRA Swim Race shirts, 2 BASRA commemorative cups, 2 food tickets and a cooler containing 1 case of SANDS Beer, 6 sodas and 6 bottles of water.

If you have any questions feel free to contact me at 359-4888.

We would like to thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

Justin Snisky
Chairman

On Wednesday, April 30th 2008 BASRA received a call at approx. 9:45pm of a boating accident at the Cassurina Bridge. The story is still a little unclear, but looks that their was a light on in the Cockpit that seemed to have blinded the Captain on approach to the Bridge. This in turn caused the boat to slam head on into the Wooden piling which protects the concrete pilings. There were two people on board the boat. The Police and Ambulance were on scene but they could not reach the victims, Colin Rose (a nearby resident and BASRA Rescue volunteer) was called as the quickest, closets rescue personnel; with in 3 minutes Colin arrived on scene. Justin Snisky (Volunteer and, Chairman for the BASRA Board of 2008-2009 )also arrived there with in 5mins, with d'Von Archer (volunteer rescue captain & diver) and Robert Tarzwell (volunteer medic) shortly following. The two men were taken off their extensively damaged boat and treated on the scene by EMS, then Rushed to the hospital for more advanced treatment. Two gentlemen, Mr. James Sears, and Mr. George Gibson from Georgie's Restaurant in Port Lucaya. Mr. Sears received a possible broken arm and wrist and broken ribs with some cuts about his body, and Mr. Gibson happened to be in a lot worse shape, both gentlemen went in for surgery immediately that night and a updated condition followed the next morning as Mr. Sears was in Stable condition and Mr. Gibson was in Guarded Condition. Unfortunately for Mr. Gibson, at the point of impact he was thrown through the front windshield of the cockpit and landed on to the bow of his boat. However, fortunately for him he stayed in the boat, but could have easily drowned if thrown from the boat.
Attached is a picture of the damaged boat