Blacktip Island Weather
Sunday, January 7, 2023
Temperature: 81
Humidity: 64%
Precipitation: Not today
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Jack Rodeo Marks Blacktip Island New Year
Blacktip Island’s 49th Annual Jack Rodeo winner Marina DeLow herds her school of horse-eye jacks toward an underwater pen Monday afternoon off the Caribbean island’s northern point. (photo by Wendy Beaufort/BTT staff)
Blacktip Island residents celebrated New Year’s Day Monday with their 49th Annual Jack Rodeo near The Pinnacle dive site on the small Caribbean island’s northern tip.
“It’s been the traditional way to welcome the new year that combines reef fish and scuba diving,” organizer Kay Valve said. “Jacques Cousteau started it, back in the 70s. The Calypso stopped here for repairs, and he and the crew began fish herding to pass the time. I think some New Year’s alcohol was involved, too.
“The goal is to get your circling school of horse-eye jacks into an underwater pen in the shortest time possible,” Valve said. “Points are deducted for any jacks not penned, and bonus points are awarded for any other fish—jacks or otherwise—also herded into the pen. We have submerged cameras covering the entire reef so people can watch from shore.”
Event organizers noted the round up is highly competitive.
“We get fish wranglers from all around the Caribbean coming here to see how they measure up,” Clete Horn said. “Some of ‘em even train Nassau groupers to help the herding, kind of like border collies do with sheep. Except underwater. And with scales instead of hair. That’s why we created separate ‘assisted’ and ‘non-assisted’ categories this year.”
Others stressed the inherent dangers in the event.
“To get reliable schools of jacks, we have to drop divers in at the tip of the island, where they congregate,” Val Schrader said. “Problem with that is, there’s usually a ton of current up there. That’s what brings the jacks in. Herders have to be cognizant of that at all times. Some days, you get down current, it’s game over.
“The current and all the jacks also attracts sharks,” Schrader said. “We have spotters posted all around to shoo them away with lionfish spears. The trick is to stay close enough to the wranglers to keep them safe, but at the same time stay far enough away you don’t spook the jacks. It’s a delicate balance.”
The 2024 winner is local divemaster Marina DeLow, who penned her school of jacks in a record time of 5:13.
“I’ve been in the running before, but was always just shy of winning,” DeLow said. “This year I changed my strategy and herded them up current, and it worked like a charm. It’s an honor to finally hoist the coveted Golden Jack trophy overhead.”
The event was followed by a fish cookout on the beach, accompanied by local coconut mead and sea grape wine. Live music was courtesy of local band Effing Zeagles.
“It’s an event for the entire family,” Valve said. “It truly brings the community together in a positive way to start the new year.”
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Blacktip Island Weather
Sunday, December 31, 2023
Temperature: 78
Humidity: 61%
Precipitation: Not happening
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Blacktip Island Man Arrested For Impersonating Service Dog
Blacktip Island handyman Dermott Bottoms, dressed in a homemade service dog costume, was arrested Thursday after trying to board a Tiperon Airways inter-island flight without paying. (photo courtesy of maskedbob)
Police detained a Blacktip Island man Thursday for attempting to board a Tiperon Airways flight dressed in a cartoon dog costume in order to avoid paying airfare to Tiperon, island officials said.
“Dermott Bottoms showed up in a Scooby Doo costume and a red ‘service dog’ vest, and tried to board the inter-island shuttle,” Tiperon Airways pilot Reg Gurnard said. “He was on all fours, climbing the steps to the cabin when we grabbed him. He put up a fuss, growing and barking and refusing to come down. That’s when we called the constable.”
Island police were quick to respond.
“I was at the airfield anyway, and they asked me to step in,” Island Police Constable Rafe Marquette said. “At first, my aim was to detain Dermott, for the safety of him and others—not a crime to wear a dog costume and try to sneak on a flight. But then, as I reached out to pry his arms from around the railing, he nipped my hand. That’s assaulting an officer.
“I got his front legs handcuffed, and hauled him off to the jail cell,” Marquette said. “Left him there with a bowl of water and some kibble, and I’ll let him out as soon as he’s sober and stops howling. And if he poops in that cell again, I’m whacking him across the nose with a rolled-up newspaper.”
Animal rights groups decried the arrest.
“This is straight-up animal abuse,” Blacktip Island People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals president Harry Pickett said. “No, Dermott’s not technically a canine, but he’s self-identifying as one, so we need to respect that and treat him like a dog. We’re barking mad about this, and all three BIPETA members will take turns protesting outside the jail until he’s released. No one, or animal, deserves to be treated like this.”
Tiperon Airways says the incident has forced them to rethink their service animal policy.
“This isn’t the first time something like this has happened,” Gurnard said. “Just last month Goldie Goby tried to get little Dashie Goby onboard for free dressed as Felix the Cat, claiming Dashie was a service animal. We’re putting our foot down and banning all service animals. If you need an animal to help you on and off our planes, you’ll have to take a boat from now on.”
Bottoms could not be reached for comment, though witnesses reported hearing prolonged yowling from the jail cell.
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Yes, We’re Going To A (New Year’s) Party, Party
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Blacktip Island Weather
Sunday, December 24, 2023
Temperature: 81
Humidity: 63%
Precipitation: Not likely
Filed under best scuba diving novels, Caribbean, Scuba Diving
Blacktip Residents Brace For Duppies Of Christmas Past
Island spirits will haunt Blacktip Island Saturday night as the restless spirits, like this one photographed near Eagle Ray Cove resort last year, seek revenge on residents who have wronged others during the past year. (photo courtesy of Joe)
Blacktip Island residents this week began preparing for the arrival of the Duppies of Christmas Past this Saturday night as part of the annual visit by angry spirits seeking revenge on those who offended them in the past.
“These duppies make sure folks don’t get too fat-and-sassy during the holidays,” B.C. Flote said. “Everybody gets all holly-jolly and forgets about bad things they done the past year. The duppies, they the lost souls who was wronged, coming back to get even with whoever wronged ‘em.
“Generally, they don’t do any physical harm, they just scare the bejeebus out of you,” Flote said. “They always visit on the 23rd, right before Christmas Eve, chasing you down the road or howling outside your window to get even, remind folks Christmas isn’t all silver balls and candy canes.”
Island residents take the visits seriously.
“B.C.’s wrong, saying the duppies can’t hurt you,” Fanny Basslet said. “These aren’t just ghosts. They got real, physical substance. One smacked Leen Helm upside the head last year, just because. Big, ol’ shadow, like the three-legged dog, setting right outside the Ballyhoo bar, waiting on him to come out, and BAM.
“Lee had it coming, tough,” Basslet said. “He’s had God-awful luck since then, too, so there’s lasting damage the Christmas duppies can do. Dogs’re usually the first to notice ‘em. Dogs start howling out of the blue, you know a duppy’s nearby, and you best throw sticks behind you and run for cover.”
Others disagreed.
“Them dogs howling is the duppies,” Whitey Bottoms said. “Can’t come in your house, ‘specially if you sprinkle rice around it, but they can keep you up all night with their carrying on.”
Some residents choose to appease the spirits.
“Duppies, they do like rum,” Christina Goby said. “Me, I leave a big glass of Flor de Cana on the front and back stoops, and sleep peaceful all night. Then, in the morning, the rum’s all gone. All us old timers do that. It’s like leaving cookies out for Santa, but different.
“Newcomers laugh and call it superstitious, but if the duppies aren’t drinking the rum, who is?” Goby said. “And how come it’s quiet all night after I set out the rum? And nothing bad happens to me for the next year. Just show the duppies some respect, and they’ll be on your side. Criticize all you want, but it’s a system that works.”
In related news, island authorities say they’re preparing for the annual spike in public intoxication arrests the morning of the 24th.
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The Blacktip Times 