Bimini Biological Field Station Foundation 9300 SW 99 th Street Miami FL USA

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Bimini Biological Field Station Foundation 9300 SW 99 th Street Miami FL USA 33176-2050 Bimini Biological Field Station 15 Elizabeth drive South Bimini Bahamas www.biminisharklab.

1 Bimini Biological Field Station Foundation 9300 SW 99 th Street Miami FL USA Bimini Biological Field Station 15 Elizabeth drive South Bimini Bahamas 1 July 2018 Dear Volunteer, Congratulations! We are pleased to offer you a volunteer position at the Bimini Biological Field Station Shark Lab from [start date] to [end date]. Please see below for specific details. Please send the following before your arrival We request: 1. Full payment 90 days before you arrive based on the number of months you wish to volunteer. 2. Completion of Emergency Contact and Insurance Form 3. An copy of proof of your insurance (e.g. insurance card). 4. An copy of your passport photo page. This information is required to board our charter flight to and from Bimini. If you must travel to Bimini on your own, you need not send the passport photo. 5. Provide us with your flight itinerary (airline, date, time) into Florida. 6. Read the attached waiver and make certain you are comfortable with signing it upon your arrival in Bimini. Cost Our monthly volunteer fee, based on 30 days, continues at $ USD which includes all volunteer activities, meals and accommodation for the duration of your stay. Additional days beyond the 30-day fee will be charged at the daily rate of $29 per day. For example, if your internship dates are 20 June 31 August 2018, this would be calculated as 2 months and 10 days. (Tax ID # ). All contributions are tax-deductible in accordance with US tax law. The Bimini Biological Field Station is also a registered not-for-profit charitable organization in the Commonwealth of the Bahamas.

2 We also need an additional payment of $150 USD to cover your charter flight from Miami to Bimini. This flight is organized entirely by the Bimini Biological Field Station Foundation (BBFSF) specific to your internship dates. Please see Flight Information for further details. The minimum cost of your internship will depend on the length of stay and flight costs. For example: - Internship fees of $ USD for 2 months (60 days), - One-way Charter flight cost of $ USD, - Internet if desired $15.00/month = $30.00 USD. This payment is due at least three months in advance of your accepted volunteer start date. To reserve your place, a non-refundable deposit of $ (applied to your total payment) will be required on or about the date you are accepted. Payment Details The method of payment is usually wire transfer to the BBFSF account. Our account details are as follows: Account: Bimini Biological Field Station Foundation (BBFSF) BBFSF Account Number: ABA Routing Number: (US banks transfers) Swift Number: chasus33 (Foreign bank transfers) Address: Chase Bank, South Dixie Hwy, Pinecrest, FL Telephone: Additional Costs on Bimini USD and BSD (Bahamian dollars) are accepted. Please allow for personal spending money to cover optional expenses such as Shark Lab t-shirts, meals out ($10 - $20 average), snacks, drinks, souvenirs, etc. A departure tax of $29 (cash only) will be required at the airport. You will be responsible for paying this tax upon leaving by aircraft. Flight Information The Shark Lab will organize volunteer flights from Miami Executive Airport (Miami, Florida) to Bimini International Airport (South Bimini, Bahamas) for most volunteer dates via Lux Air Charters. Volunteers are responsible for travel to Miami Executive Airport. Please note that Miami Executive Airport is approximately 20 miles or 30 minutes from Miami International Airport. To avoid tight connections, we highly recommend arriving in Miami the night before your flight to Bimini and booking a motel room near Miami Executive Airport. Those departing on international flights are also advised to allow at least six hours between their Bimini charter arrival and departure from Miami (due to the potential for weather delays). Please note that we will only charter from Lux if we have at least six passengers. If not, you can research and pay for tickets by the seat at Bahamas Air (MIA) or Silver Air (FLL). However, the best flight is Tropic Ocean Air (FLL). The other airlines require you to purchase round trip tickets and at some point, get a refund. Finally, there is a fast ferry (FRS-Caribbean) from Miami. Oneway tickets vary ($170 is the maximum). The trip takes two hours to cross and a while to clear customs in Bimini.

3 Airport address: Miami Executive Airport SW 129 th Street Miami FL Visa Information For international volunteers entering the United States: As you will be transiting through the US, you will need to abide by US immigration requirements. All volunteers will be responsible for organizing a tourist visa for travel into the US. If you are eligible to travel under the US Visa Waiver Program ESTA, please be aware of the total number of days you will spend in the Bahamas and review the Program guidelines. Some volunteers may need to renew their visa after 90 days. It is possible to travel directly to Nassau as a tourist and fly from Nassau to Bimini to avoid the 90-day caveat. Nassau to Bimini flights are available twice daily on Western Air. Round trip tickets are around $350 USD depending on the day. For internationals entering the Bahamas: Most internationals do not require a visa prior to entering the Bahamas. This includes, but is not limited to, the United States, European Union, United Kingdom and Australia. If you are from a country that does require a visa to enter the Bahamas, please only obtain a tourist visa prior to your arrival. For citizens of the US, United Kingdom, etc., visas for your stay in the Bahamas will be granted upon arrival into Bimini based on your length of stay by airport immigration. If traveling from outside the US into Miami, you should apply for an ESTA for transit through the US (see above). Before your departure, you will be provided with a letter from the BBFSF indicating your volunteer term at the station in Bimini. This letter must be printed and presented by you to the airport immigration officer in Bimini. To determine your visa requirements, please use the information below for guidance. Additional information is available online Less than 90 days: More than 90 days: Please request the exact number of days you will be staying on Bimini. Please be sure to count the number of days correctly. Please state your departure date on the arrival card and request a visa for 90 days. This may not immediately cover your entire term, but this is the maximum number of days that can be requested upon arrival in Bimini. Once these 90 days have expired volunteers can extend their visa on Bimini for an additional 90 days. This will cover volunteers for up to 180 days (6 months). More than 180 days: Volunteers staying in Bimini for longer than 180 days (6 months) are required to return to the US to refresh their visa status. Costs and arrangements for this travel are the volunteer s responsibility, however the BBFSF can provide information to assist with meeting this requirement.

4 Insurance Information All volunteers must have insurance covering repatriation and emergency evacuation from Bimini in case of a hurricane, accident or illness. There is a very basic medical clinic in Alice Town, Bimini; however, for any serious conditions you will need to be flown to the US or Nassau by air ambulance. BBFSF is not responsible for any medical or evacuation fees. Please be sure you have sufficient access to funds if your insurance company requires pre-payments for air ambulance or medical bills. All the details of your health and travel insurance must be provided in our online Emergency Contact Form once you have been accepted. There are many types of travel insurance. We recommend DAN insurance policy with the evacuation clause. High hurricane season in the Bahamas runs from August October. If you are volunteering during this time, please be aware that in the case of a serious hurricane threat volunteers will be asked to leave the island and remain in the US or Nassau until it is safe to return. Please make certain you have sufficient access to funds and insurance if we need to evacuate. Insurance companies may require a Government Evacuation Notice to claim such travel expenses due to natural disasters. In most instances, you will be evacuated from Bimini before a Government Evacuation Notice is given. If the hurricane is downgraded it may be difficult to claim these expenses. Reimbursements BBFSF will only reimburse fees for volunteers who depart due to family or medical emergencies. If a volunteer wishes to leave on their own accord or is asked to leave due serious infraction any of the BBFSF regulations, they will not be reimbursed for their volunteer fees. Similarly, if volunteers are evacuated from the station due to a natural disaster, BBFSF will not be liable for reimbursing volunteer fees for the duration of the evacuation but will give credit for the days missed, based on availability of travel back to Bimini. As noted, if a volunteer is unable to fly with our pre-booked charter flights, he or she will be responsible for organizing their own flights at their own expense. However, we will assist with information as needed. The minimum period for volunteering at the Shark Lab is two months (60 days). Volunteers will be provided room and board monthly based on performance and overall fit into the Shark Lab community. Each volunteer will be reinstated monthly. While it is extremely rare, egregious behavior or the inability to contribute to station operations may result in dismissal from the Shark Lab. In such instances, reimbursement of funds for the remaining prepaid days will not be made. Most important, those volunteers desiring to stay for periods greater than two months will be given priority. The longer your stay (as indicated on your application), the higher your application will be rated, all things considered.

5 What to bring Please see below for a list of essential and recommended items to bring with you to Bimini: Essentials: Passport (including US citizens) Soft suitcase for easy stowing in the aircraft and at station (40 lbs. max. on our charters) Hat and polarized sunglasses Rain Jacket (no ponchos) Rain pants (for wet weather and bug protection) Mask, snorkel and fins (please no SCUBA gear) Booties Full length wetsuit (Summer optional; Spring/ Fall 3mm+; Winter 5mm+) Bathing suits (at least three) Long-sleeve rash guard (at least one) Clothes for all weather conditions (sun protection, warmth, rain) Clothes that can get wet or ruined Headlamp (with rechargeable batteries or sufficient batteries for your entire stay) Sunscreen Insect repellent bug spray (baby oil and skin so soft help with the sandflies) Own toiletries Reusable water bottle Waterproof watch Any special foods or medications Recommended: Beach towel (bath towels and bed linens are provided) Dry bag Waterproof camera (with rechargeable batteries) Nice outfit for nights off Spending money for personal expenses (~ $200) Phone/iPod and wireless speakers USB or hard drive Laptop Electrolyte powder such as Gatorade PIT Tagging Specific Essentials (Late May): Dry Bag Thermos Wet suit (3mm or greater for warmth, bug protection and safety) Booties Warm hat and clothing Additional light rain jacket Headlamp (rechargeable batteries or enough to last your entire stay) Basic, waterproof watch with timer Mosquito jacket and/or hat and mosquito pants and DEET or other bug repellent Optional waders

6 What to expect Please see below for what to expect while in Bimini: Internet: Accommodation: Laundry: Stores: Restaurants: ATMS: High speed wireless internet is available but limited at the station. It is usually relatively reliable but can be intermittent during storms. Charge $15/month Most rooms at the Shark Lab are organized by gender. If you have a strong preference to be in a unisex room, please let the Station Manager know prior to your arrival. Volunteer s personal laundry will be washed approximately once every two weeks. If you would like to wash your clothing more often than this, you are welcome to use the lab s supplies, but must only hand wash your items. There are a few convenience stores in North and South Bimini where you can buy snacks. Fresh produce is available occasionally but cannot be relied upon. Products such as sunscreen, bug spray and shampoo are available but are more expensive than at home. There are two seasonal restaurants on South Bimini and multiple on North Bimini. You are welcome to dine at these on days off. There is one ATM located on North Bimini. It is not very reliable, so we recommend bringing additional cash for emergencies. Mail from family and friends Unless you are volunteering at the Shark Lab for an extended period, please refrain from having care packages or mail sent to you. Important mail (such as medications or emergency items) can be mailed to the Executive Assistant at Dr. Gruber s office in Miami and will be brought to Bimini on one of our supply flights. These flights are critical to the station, so supplies will always take priority over personal items. Packages will incur a courier fee based on total weight (Average cost for 2 lb. package shipped from US to Bahamas is $25 to $35). This fee can be paid in advance by the sender. If loved ones are sending a package to Dr. Gruber s office, please inform us of its expected arrival date and include any necessary receipts. Please be aware that all items being brought into the Bahamas are subject to import duties and taxes. When sending packages, please use the following format: Volunteer Name Care of: Dr. Samuel Gruber 9300 SW 99 th Street, Miami, FL We do not recommend sending packages or mail directly to Bimini. Mail is very unreliable and may take a very long time to reach the island (approximately 4 8 weeks).

7 Emergencies In case of emergencies, please contact This will put you in direct contact with our managers in Bimini. Contact can also be made through our Miami Office at or (305) Please ensure you complete our Emergency Contact Form prior to your arrival in Bimini. Yours sincerely, Dr. Samuel H. Gruber Founder and President Dr. Kristene Parsons Science Director

Waiver and Release from Liability for Bimini Biological Field Station Foundation South Bimini, Bahamas sgruber@rsmas.miami.edu admin@biminisharklab.com WARNING: READ CAREFULLY BEFORE SIGNING.

8 Waiver and Release from Liability for Bimini Biological Field Station Foundation South Bimini, Bahamas WARNING: READ CAREFULLY BEFORE SIGNING. You are giving up specific legal rights!! Date: / / I, HEREBY RELEASE, WAIVE, DISCHARGE, AND COVENANT NOT TO SUE the following: The Bimini Biological Field Station Foundation, Its employees, Dr. Samuel H. Gruber, Dr. Kristene Parsons, James Whicheloe, Angela Warrior, Raquel Braun, Griffin Garner, Sophie Hart, Collin Davis, Charlotte Bond, Participants, Sponsors, Advertisers, Promoters, sanctioning organization, or any subdivision thereof, owners, leases of premises to conduct the activities, their employees and officers, releases from all liability to the undersigned, his personal representatives, assigns, heirs, and next of kin for any and all loss or damage, and any claim or demands therefore on account of injury to the person or property or resulting death of the undersigned, whether caused by the negligence of the releasees or otherwise while the undersigned is in or upon restricted areas, wharves boats and/or on, involving or surrounding the Bimini Biological Field Station Foundation; I, HEREBY ASSUME FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR AND RISK OF BODILY INJURY, DEATH OF PROPERTY DAMAGE due to the negligence of releasees or otherwise while in or upon the laboratory, physical plant or research field site or while studying, observing, working or participating in a Bimini Biological Field Station Foundation event or activity. I, expressly acknowledge and agree that the activities of the Bimini Biological Field Station Foundation are very dangerous and involve the risk of serious injury and/or death and/or property damage; EACH OF THE UNDERSIGNED further expressly agrees that the foregoing release, waiver and indemnity agreement is intended to be as broad and inclusive as is permitted by the law of the province of the state and country in which the activities are conducted and that if any portion thereof is held invalid, it is agreed that the balance shall notwithstanding, continue in full force and legal affect. THE UNDERSIGNED HAS READ, UNDERSTOOD AND VOLUNTARILY SIGNS THIS RELEASE AND WAIVER OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNITY AGREEMENT, and further agrees that no oral representations, statements or inducements apart from the foregoing written agreement have been made. Sign: Date: / / Dr. Samuel H. Gruber: Date: / /

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