FMO Spring Break Run Presented By WMF Marine & Watercraft

Registration:
This event is FREE to Paid members, please use the link below to register for the event to help prepare the restaurant for our lunch.

Membership information/renewal:
All vessels participating in FMO events are required to carry insurance and have a club membership. Memberships are on a calendar year basis and if you have not yet renewed your membership for 2026 or are new and wanting to join the club please use the link below:

STARTING PROCEDURE / ROUTE:
Our starting point will be the ICW south of St James City just west of Picnic Island (miserable Mile) on the North side of the Chanel. Please do not mill in the channel.
Color-Group Virtual Start Format
To enhance safety and reduce congestion at the start of the run, Fort Myers Offshore will utilize a color-group virtual start procedure led by designated safety boats. This format eliminates clustered starts while maintaining an organized and enjoyable departure.
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Group Assignments
• Each participating boat will be assigned a departure group color:
o Red
o Green
o Yellow
Captains will receive their group color and designated gathering area several days before the run. We will start in the ICW near the south end of St James City. (If you are running with friends please reach out to me personally and I will do my best to ensure you are in the same starting group)
Group Staging
• Each color group will stage at a predetermined gathering area.
• Each group will have a designated lead / safety boat displaying that group’s colored flag. This is the area you should gather and mill waiting for your groups virtual starting time.
• Boats should arrive early, idle safely, and stage calmly within their assigned area. A map of your area between the Sanibel Causeway and the lighthouse will be sent to each registered captain.
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Virtual Start Windows
Each group will depart during a virtual start window:
• Red Group: 10:50 AM
• Green Group: 10:55 AM
• Yellow Group: 11am AM
These times are intended to space groups naturally and prevent overlap.
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Departure Procedure
• At the assigned start time:
o The lead / safety boat will lower its colored flag
o The lead boat will casually and smoothly get on plane
o Boats in that color group may follow at their own pace
• There will be:
o  No flag drops
o  No pacing boats
o  No aggressive acceleration
The instruction is simple: When your lead boat goes, you go.
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Operational Rules
• No racing, passing, or aggressive maneuvering during departure
• Captains are responsible for:
o Passenger readiness
o Safe spacing & Running at a comfortable and controlled speed
o Alcohol consumption by captains prior to or during the run is prohibited

ROUTE:(WEATHER PERMITTING) We will be running the ICW inside Sanibel and Captiva to Redfish Pass. We will traverse into the Gulf of America through Redfish Pass and proceed south in the Gulf down and around Captiva and Sanibel Island to the Sanibel Causeway A Span (closest to the mainland). We will IDLE under the Sanibel Causeway (this is a no wake zone) and proceed to the Caloosahatchee River. Note this area is a no wake zone. After idling through the no wake zone the Westin will be on your Port side. Continue up river to under both the Cape Coral Bridge, and Mid-Point Bridge. (note there will be one more no wake zone before the Cape Coral Bridge) Three fisherman will be on your Port side before you get to the Route 41 (Caloosahatchee) Bridge.

FMO Fun Runs are about camaraderie and charity—not speed.
Your responsibility is to your passengers, fellow boaters, The Club, and the community.

Dockage:
Three Fishermen has a ton of beautiful floating docks. Please be prepared to raft off.

Fuel/Distance:
From the ICW starting point to Redfish Pass, back through the Gulf and upriver to Three Fishermen is about 50 miles. Fuel is available on the River at the Landing’s just west of the Cape Coral Bridge.

Food:
Three Fisherman will have a limited but diverse menu for us. We will have their entire banquet room as well as any open seating around the restaurant and deck.

Safety:
Each boat captain is required to operate his vessel in a safe manner and is responsible for his/her crew and their safety. When running in the ICW please be aware that this can be a high traffic areas and we ask that other boats be given a wide berth and that the rules of the road be adhered to. As always please no alcohol for the captains. Our event is concluded upon reaching our lunch destination. Everyone can leave when they are ready

Communication:
My cell number is 630-363-1986 and Cyndee’s is 239-238-0777. Anyone dropping out after the start should let us know so we do not spend time either waiting or looking for you. Please leave a message if we do not answer.