FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida, October 29, 2021 — The Bahamas is well represented at the 62nd Annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show currently underway this weekend at the Superyacht Village and Marina in Fort Lauderdale.
In photographs posted on Facebook, Deputy Prime Minister Chester Cooper, who is also Minister of Tourism, Aviation and Investment, is seen at the wheel of one a luxury craft along with Central and South Eleuthera MP Clay Sweeting, Minister of Agriculture & Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs; Central and South Abaco MP John H.W. Pinder; and Dr. Kenneth Romer, Executive Director of the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism & Aviation, who posted the photos on the yacht on his Facebook page with the following caption:
“That feeling when The Deputy Prime Minister takes the ‘control’ of a super luxury craft @ftlauderdaleboatshow. Update: He didn’t do too badly! Kudos Captain Cooper!”
Carmel Churchill, who is a member of the Grand Bahama delegation, also posted a collage of photos with the following narrative:
“A full and productive day for Team Grand Bahama Island at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.
“Loved the opportunity to present Visit Grand Bahama Island’s customized hand sanitizer to Minister of Tourism, Aviation & Investment, Hon. Chester Cooper and Minister of Agriculture & Marine Resources and Family Island Affairs, Clay Sweeting.
“Dr. Kenneth Romer and Rupert Hayward were also recipients of the hand sanitizer that was manufactured by @Fragrance of the Bahamas (Perfume Factory), Grand Bahama.”
The largest in-water boat show in the world, the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show kicked off Wednesday, October 27, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Superyacht Village in Fort Lauderdale.
“The 5-day show is the epicenter of the yachting capital of the world and attracts more than 100,000 people, 642 exhibitors with more than 686 boats on display,” according to published reports.
In a press release prior to the opening of the boat show, the Ministry of Tourism announced that The Bahamas would once again be “prominently displayed in the Super Yacht Pavilion at the 62nd Annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat (FLIBS) Show being held October 27-31 at the Bahia Mar Yachting Center in Fort Lauderdale.”
According to a recent press release, “FLIBS will exhibit a vast array of the industry’s latest boats and yachts of all sizes, worldwide debuts, plus a medley of marine products and accessories to enhance the nautical lifestyle. From yacht builders and designers to marina operators and yacht charter brokers, the show is expected to attract thousands of boating enthusiasts from the USA and around the world and will utilize CDC’s Covid-19 safety rules and guidelines.”
The release also noted that Deputy Prime Minister Cooper “is expected to attend the show and meet with members of the international media, investors and leading boating industry partners.”
The event was organized by Marine Industries Association of South Florida, Informa Markets and in conjunction with the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation.
Participating Bahamas partners and exhibitors include: Romora Bay Hotel & Marina, Odyssey Aviation Bahamas, Makers Air, Staniel Cay Yacht Club, Sandals Emerald Bay, Atlantis Paradise Island, Bay Street Marina, Valentines Resort, Grand Bahama Yacht Club, Grand Bahama Island Promotion Board, Kalik, 3N’s Exuma Vacations, Bahamas National Trust, Bahamasair, Bluff House Resort & Marina, Nassau Yacht Haven, Neal Watson Bimini Scuba Center, Tropic Ocean Airways, Silver Airways, Buzz Air, Bradford Marine, Bimini Big Game Club, Abaco Beach Resort, Graycliff Hotel, Sterling Financial Group, Hurricane Hole Superyacht Marina and Montage Cay.
The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism, Investments & Aviation announced that eight boat captains hailing from Florida and South Carolina have been selected to serve as Boating Ambassadors for The Islands of The Bahamas.
“The ambassadors will be officially introduced at a special ceremony on October 29 during the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show (FLIBS) being held October 27-31, 2021, at the Bahia Mar Yachting Center,” the release noted.
The release added: “As Bahamas Boating Ambassadors, the captains will work alongside BMOTIA officials in promoting the unspoiled islands of The Bahamas on their respective social media platforms and at tradeshows, fam trips and special events.
“The ambassadors selected are Captains Robert Brousseau and Andrew Smith of South Carolina, and Grant Johnson, Dean Fillichio, Isaac Burgos, Karl Hill, Shaughn Miller and Sean Ives of Florida.”
