New floating bar for Stingray City

Temporary Resident Joined: 15 Aug 2007 Posts: 136

Quote:

A long–rumoured floating bar that will service swim–up customers at Stingray City has been given the green light.

Mr. Bush

The Liquor Licensing Board of Grand Cayman met 10 December and granted a retail liquor license and music and dancing license to Bernie Bush for the new operation. Mr. Bush explained that the idea had been well–received by the tourism industry in general.

“In talking to the tourism department and various members within the tourism establishment, a lot of people felt that this would be a product that would enhance Stingray City operations.”

He said that it was not a charter boat intended to compete with existing businesses such as daytime charters, but an anchored bar that patrons could swim up to.

Laws state that the bar must be enclosed and no member of the public can have access to the area behind the bar. Two waitresses will therefore be on hand to serve the public at the front.

“It has seats on its sides that will flop down into the water so that people can sit down. We have a bar on the boat that’s closed off where we have bartenders and waitresses.”

Receptacles

Drinks would be served in suitable receptacles including a branded ‘keepsake’ cup, which would add a two or three dollar premium to the first drink. The customer would then refill the cup, which would subsequently serve as a souvenir.

Mr. Bush explained that he had a small, 10–horsepower South Seas boat tied up behind the bar boat. This would facilitate any necessary debris clean–up operation.

Concerns about loud noises and invasive music that are often a feature of some of the ‘party ships’ were noted by Mr. Bush. He explained that the floating bar’s speakers were very small and as such were only capable of sufficient volume for patrons in the immediate vicinity.

A bathroom and sink have been installed in line with advice received from the Department of the Environment.

Enhancing

Mr. Bush said that some Stingray City tour providers and other private companies had already expressed an interest in working with the new bar.

“They’ve said that at certain times they’ll take out people and they want me to go up there, anchor off and they’ll pull up and link up with me.”

Board members reminded Mr. Bush that the laws state that any bar could not be moored within half a mile of land at any time. He gave assurances that he was aware of the required distances and that the crew would work closely with enforcement agencies to verify where such limits were.

Photographs of the boat were passed around as Mr. Bush explained that he had been taking advice from Port Authority of the Cayman Islands in setting up the boat to their specifications and that he had in fact ‘gone beyond’ what had been asked for in terms of safety features, including the number of life–vests on board.

There will also be a lifeboat attached to the bar boat for use in case anyone in the vicinity encounter difficulty.

Oh yeah, this can't possibly cause any problems. Shock

Posted: Tue Dec 15, 2009 1:01 pm Post subject:

Yuck!
This rates right up there with "swim with the Dolphins."

Frequent Flyer Joined: 19 Oct 2005 Posts: 24

I agree! I am sorry to hear of this!

Frequent Flyer Joined: 15 Feb 2005 Posts: 43

I can see it now. Beer drinker marries Stingray at sandbar. The maid of honour was wearing a light grey outfit as was the best man.

Posted: Thu Dec 17, 2009 8:00 am Post subject:

I just can't believe this. I'm literally sitting here dumbfounded Rolling Eyes

as I read this .

So much for seeing Stingrays in their natural habitat!

Char

Native Joined: 18 Feb 2005 Posts: 1726 Location: Illinois

thumbs down from me too! Unbelieveable!

Posted: Thu Dec 17, 2009 2:49 pm Post subject:

I wonder what's next - A discotech? Waterslides?

I know, how about a fast food restaurant?

"Come a, Come a, Come a — Get your red hot Stingray Burgers!"
Barf

Posted: Thu Dec 17, 2009 3:37 pm Post subject:

I can see this getting pretty dangerous actually. Can you imagine the spring breakers who will come to SRC from the cruise ships now being able to frolic around these stingrays while boozing and partying?

I give this operation 1 year before something bad happens due to the alcohol.

Posted: Thu Dec 17, 2009 10:37 pm Post subject:

Now, if they are all well-behaved drunks it might not be too bad...But then, how likely is that Exclamation

I'm dismayed. I understand that people have got to make a living; but boats, sun, wildlife (especially potentially hazardous wildlife) all mixed into a cocktail with booze is a recipe for trouble. Throw in the inevitable trash (like they're really gonna chase down the trash with their little 10-hp South Seas boat!) so a few sea creatures can suffocate and it'll be real great.

Some people are thinking with their wallets, not their heads here. Shame on those approving the plan.

DS

Newbie Joined: 11 Aug 2008 Posts: 9

We go to the Caymans because there isn't any of that kind of stuff. More of a laid back, family type Island. Very disappointed. to hear of this. I hope that they keep it the way it is.

Posted: Fri Dec 18, 2009 9:34 am Post subject:

How do they expect to have time to have a cocktail AND spend time with the stingrays - unless they are going to extend the time of the trip, then you are just going to create a bigger traffic problem than there already is there during peak times.

Guess I'm just to dumb to get it cuz this makes no sense to me.

Posted: Fri Dec 18, 2009 10:40 am Post subject:

Right on, DS. At first read it seems like an april fool's joke, but the economic climate is forcing their hand. Were I running a cruise line, I would throw as much money behind this idea as I could. Even the boat operators would support anything that fills their seats. If it were three years ago, or three years in the future, it might not be such an easy undertaking. But right now, it is apparently getting support. Those who support tourism "at any cost" seem to have the upper hand.

Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2009 6:42 am Post subject:

I enjoy my rum punch as much........well, probably more

, than the next person....but people that have to have a drink EVERY where they go and with EVERY thing they do have a problem.

This could endanger one of the great gifts God gave the Cayman Islands....their stingrays!

Isn't their an island, yet uninhabited, that we could put ALL politicians on? I'm just sayin'

Celine

Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2009 6:49 am Post subject:

oh.....and that's pretty funny Joe

stingray burgers, disco, waterslides and fast food restaurants....personally, I think putting a lasso and harness around the rays would make for a fun ride, and maybe stapling on a beverage holder.

Celineagainstillangry

Posted: Mon Dec 21, 2009 9:40 am Post subject:

If there were any imbibers at the floating bar today they would be shivering!..... it's 73 degrees this morning. High predicted to be 79. Brrrrr.
A bar at stingray city is somewhat like a vacuum cleaner.... it sucks. The government seems to have very little foresight. Perhaps this is all part of the government's new means to get themselves out of debt. For those who have no access to local news, Great Britain recently approved another big loan to the Caymans because they were running out of funds. (Sound familiar?) With the loan came the suggestion they cut spending, etc. It seems that raising income takes preference over cutting spending, and there has been some hikes in taxes, plus talk about adding new taxes. (This also might sound familiar.) Continuation in this direction will make it more expensive for everyone.... visitors and residents.
OMG!... The forum isn't for politics. What am I doing! Just consider this a weather report with some rambling by someone who has nothing better to do.

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