Organisers of the Island?s first motor boat rally say they have received over 50 registration forms but are expecting many more to sign up by the deadline on Saturday.

The event slated for this Sunday at Albouy?s Point is being promoted as a family fun day not only for participants but for the general public as well.

Spectators are being encouraged to go to good vantage points and watch the flotilla as it makes its way around the Island. Participants can enjoy an after-party barbeque at Barr?s Bay Park. Event flags, which must be flown during the rally, and party bags, will be handed out at Albouy?s Point at 10 a.m.

Cancellation announcements will be made on VSB Radio 1450 AM before 9 am, if necessary. ?Current weather forecasts put the winds at eight to 12 knots with seas running at two to four feet.

This is about average for the South Shore at this time of year. If these conditions remain consistent, the rally will take place as scheduled,? organisers said.

Hamilton Town Crier, Ed Christopher will initiate the event at Albouys Point, followed by remarks from the Mayor Lawson Mapp. This will be followed by a morning service conducted by Rev. Wilbur Larry Lowe with accompaniment by the Bermuda Regiment band.

Sen. Walter Roban and MP Jamahl Simmons will make a few remarks concluding with a moment of silence for those mariners lost at sea. The general public is invited to the opening ceremony and religious service on Sunday morning. After the 30 minute ceremony, the boaters will pull away from the dock at 11 a.m. and begin lining up for the start at 11.30 a.m.

Committee boats will be marked with flags and will assist boats with the line-up. The Bermuda Regiment boat company will provide safety support for the fleet throughout the route. They have trained first aid teams and will provide medical assistance and towing if required.

Organisers circumnavigated the Island on Wednesday in an 18-foot open runabout and said the trip was ?quite pleasant?.

The team made the trip to chart the complete route on GPS. The exact length of the voyage has now been determined and is 41 nautical miles in length. The entire voyage will take approximately five hours to complete.

Organisers stressed that skippers must ensure that their vessels are carrying all safety equipment including a working VHF radio. All crews are also reminded that there will be two to four foot swells on the South Shore and some may want to take precautions against sea sickness for the 90 or so minute ride in the area.

All participants should monitor channel 73 which will be used throughout the event. There will be periodic safety announcements such as Channel approaches with periodic narratives on land features.

The boats should begin arriving in Hamilton at around 4.30 p.m. for the barbecue at Barr?s Bay Park. The festivities, with music, will end at 7 p.m. so that boats can return home safely before dark. Some boats may need to leave earlier.

Proceeds from the registration will benefit the Bermuda Sloop Foundation www.bermudasloop.org.