Learn to scuba dive in the BVI among the incredible reefs

For an exciting twist to your next Virgin Islands bareboat yacht charter, take a little time and learn to scuba dive.

Charterers spending time in Tortola, BVI can now take rendezvous diving and scuba education programs during their sail bareboat vacations, thanks to a new partnership with Sail Caribbean Divers, a PADI dive center.

Says, Mike Rowe, a course director at Sail Caribbean Divers, “We realize families often refine their traditional travel plans for more meaningful and interactive vacations.“

Indeed, self-drive luxury sailing charter vacations combined with watersports such as snorkeling and diving can certainly fulfill such wishes.

A new diving reservation desk has been opened in Roadtown, Tortola, BVI at the Moorings bareboat fleet base.

Sail Caribbean Divers has three full-service dive centers, with four dive vessels at the three centers in the BVI – at Hodges Creek Marina, Cooper Island, and Norman Island.

Wreck of the Rhone, BVI - British Virgin Islands

If you are planning to fish in the British Virgin Islands, don't forget to get a license!

Are you planning a bareboat yacht charter in the British Virgin Islands this winter or spring?

If you are, you are probably contemplating packing a small rod and reel in your duffle bag.
After all, catching your own dinner is one of the true delights of a sail bareboat adventure.

Before you pack your fishing gear, take note – if caught fishing without a fishing license in the British Virgin Islands, you will be subject to heavy fines, and your fishing equipment (and the sail yacht bareboat you have rented) may be confiscated by authorities.

It is this simple:  It is a legal requirement that anyone dropping a hook and line in the BVI waters MUST have a fishing license.

Each person fishing must have a recreational fishing license, except persons age 18 and under.

For a $10 fee, Last Stop Sports (LSS) in Tortola, BVI can process the license application for Caribbean yacht charter customers and their guests before arrival. Clients must send all required documents to LSS at least one week in advance.

For last minute bookings, starting on a weekend, the deadline is Thursday at 9a.m.

The license is valid for 1 month and costs $45.

A photocopy of a valid photo ID must accompany the application.

It is not necessary to rent fishing gear from LSS – they can still process the licensing request, and they will have the licenses available for pickup upon arrival at the yacht fleet base in the British Virgin Islands.

Licenses can also be obtained directly from the Department of Conservation and Fisheries Administration building in Road Town, Tortola, BVI. The government office closes early on Friday afternoons and doesn’t reopen until Monday morning.  It is closed weekend and public holidays. Call the Fisheries Division at 284 494-3429 for more information.

For LSS application forms and instructions, click here

To book your own Caribbean odyssey this winter or spring, contact Bareboat.com here.

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Sometimes it is more enjoyable to sit back and leave the sailing to someone else.  If you’re ready to upgrade to a crewed Caribbean yacht charter vacation, click here to contact SailAway Yacht Charter Consultants – yacht charter professionals since 1976.

You can do this on bareboat yacht charters!

Bareboats range from thirty to fifty feet in length. You can charter a catamaran (two hulls, very stable in the water and very roomy), monohull (one hull), or powerboat (boat powered by engines, not sails). These yachts come with everything you need to operate them, as well as kitchen utensils, bedding, and towels. Some charters provide you with a dinghy with motor at no charge.

Are you interested in a sailboat or a powerboat for your bareboat charter vacation?

A bareboat is a yacht that you sail yourself, or you can hire a captain (referred to as a captain only or skippered charter), if you wish. 

While you are not required in the Caribbean or the United States to provide a certificate or license to charter a boat, you will have to demonstrate experience and skill (called a “check out sail”) to be allowed to operate the yacht by yourself – otherwise you will require (and will have to pay to hire) a captain to assist you. 

Your bareboat yacht charter company will ask you critical basic questions in order to select the perfect boats from which to choose for your vacation. Those questions include whether you want a sailboat or a powerboat, the destination in which you want to charter, the number of guests in your charter party, amenities required (like air-conditioning), and budget.

To arrange your next vacation on a chartered bareboat sail or motoryacht,
contact your charter specialists at www.bareboat.com through our website at
http://bareboat.com/contact_us.html
by email via info@bareboat.com 
by phone via 1-800-BAREBOAT (227-3262) or 305-720-7245
or via twitter http://www.twitter.com/bareboatdotcom  (Please follow us!)

Bareboat catamaran sailboats are stable, spacious, and can carry many watersports toys. They are great for watching dolphins play on the bow!

You will need to complete a sailing resume listing your experience and certificates. While certificates are helpful, hands on experience is more important. A captain will then take you out after your briefing to determine your capabilities.

Fast forward…you pass the checkout and charter your bareboat catamaran.

Warning:  once you have vacationed this way, you may never take another type of vacation!  You can do what you want when you want.  Dive, eat, drink, beach comb, snorkel, swim or sleep whenever and wherever you choose.

Catamarans are a good choice for your boating vacation and are becoming more and more popular. They are great for families and friends, and they offer a lot of comfort, space, and privacy.  They have equal accommodations for all guests and are very spacious and comfortable. Catamarans are stable and generally do not cause seasickness.  They also usually carry multiple watersports toys for your enjoyment on charter, and there is no more relaxing and enjoyable way to enjoy the exhiliaration of sail than by lounging on the forward trampolines – often the site under which dolphins play on the bow as you sail!

To arrange your next vacation on a chartered bareboat sail or motoryacht,
contact your charter specialists at www.bareboat.com through our website at
http://bareboat.com/contact_us.html
by email via info@bareboat.com 
by phone via 1-800-BAREBOAT (227-3262) or 305-720-7245
or via twitter http://www.twitter.com/bareboatdotcom  (Please follow us!)

Large, aggressive, prolific, ravenous Asian Carp are disrupting the food chain in the Great Lakes and could destroy the tourism and recreational value of the area.

So many of our bareboat charter customers hail from the Great Lakes region. While many choose to arrange Caribbean bareboat charter vacations in the winter and spring, the great lakes are filled with yachting enthusiasts all summer long.
 
This great natural resource is the playground for people from many states, including New York, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Ohio and Pennsylvania. However, bareboat charter lovers as well as recreational fishermen and anyone who enjoys the region need to take immediate notice of a long-term threat to this area’s economy and environment: the invasion of Asian Carp.
 
Last Friday, the freshman Senator from New York, Kirsten Gillibrand, demanded that the Army Corps of Engineers close off all of the Asian Carp-infested waterways leading to Lake Michigan. Ms. Gillibrand is the
first Senator to take a strong position and offer a realistic solution to this growing problem.
 
As boat lovers, we need to speak up and support any and all efforts to save this incredible natural resource.  

Following is a press release issued by Senator Gillibrand. After you read the release, please contact your own congressional representatives, and urge them to join the fight to protect the Great Lakes.
 
December 11, 2009 – Washington, D.C. “The Asian Carp pose a traumatic and long term threat to the Great Lakes and the enormous economic benefit the lakes provide to New York and the nation,” Senator Gillibrand. “The lakes help drive our economy, draw tourism, offer endless recreation and provide drinking water for millions of families. The Asian Carp could potentially destroy all of that, disrupting the food chain and disturbing the natural ecosystem permanently. We need to take aggressive action now to stop the spread of Asian Carp and establish a long term solution that will keep New York’s waterways and natural habitats free from invasive species.”
 
Senator Gillibrand called on the federal government to take immediate and bold action to stop this mounting threat. In her letter to the Department of the Army, Environmental Protection Agency, Coast Guard, and Fish and Wildlife Services, Senator Gillibrand wrote, “I encourage you to exercise all available options to ensure this threat is muted.
 
Close Those Locks!
I urge you to close the O’Brian and Chicago Locks if there is reasonable evidence that Asian Carp have migrated above the barrier, continue the application of fish poison as a temporary management solution, and consider the possibility of permanent hydrological separation of the Great Lakes and the Canal. At a minimum, these efforts should include increased monitoring and sampling to map where Asian Carp are present, continued strategic application of rotenone as a short term management strategy, and changes in
the way the locks at CSSC are operated. I believe that temporarily sealing this waterway as we analyze the situation at hand and decide on a long term management strategy is a reasonable course of action.”
 
Asian Carp are large, prolific and consume vast amounts of food – weighing up to 100 pounds and ranging as long as four feet – disrupting the food chain that supports native fish. Their large size, ravenous appetites, and rapid rate of reproduction pose a significant threat to New York’s ecosystem. This aggressive invasive species could destroy the Great Lakes fish populations, devastating the $7 billion recreational fishing industry, tourism industry and the general economic well being of the entire region.
 
Ecosystem at Risk
The economy and the ecosystem of the entire Great Lakes region are at risk because of the imminent threat of the invasive Asian Carp. Current efforts to control the spread of Asian Carp include two electrical barriers around Chicago where the Mississippi River links to the Great Lakes.
 
However, these efforts have fallen short, as illustrated by evidence indicating that Asian Carp may have migrated past the electrical barrier. The DNA evidence found implies that the Asian Carp may now be as close as 6 miles from Lake Michigan, 20 miles closer than previously thought. The invasion of Asian Carp into Lake Michigan is significant, since at that point they will have the ability to migrate to all of the Great Lakes. 
 
In addition, Senator Gillibrand announced that the bipartisan Asian Carp Prevention and Control Act, passed the EPW Committee today. This legislation would crack down on the importation and shipment of the bighead species of carp to help stop their spread throughout New York waterways, and help restore the natural order of our ecosystem.”

Thinking of chartering a bareboat yacht in the Caribbean, Florida Keys, Bahamas, South Pacific, Mediterranean, or elsewhere in the world?  We’d be honored to plan your trip for you! 

To arrange your next vacation on a chartered bareboat sail or motoryacht, contact your charter specialists at www.bareboat.com through our website at
http://bareboat.com/contact_us.html
by email via info@bareboat.com 
by phone via 1-800-BAREBOAT (227-3262) or 305-720-7245
or via twitter http://www.twitter.com/bareboatdotcom  (Please follow us!)

The best advice we can offer a motoryacht bareboat charter client is this – perform a daily engine check – even if the engine was running well yesterday!

Here’s a step-by-step engine maintenance guide to follow during your Caribbean yacht charter odyssey:

Before starting your boat:

Checking bareboat engine

Ready to Start:

While running:

These daily maintenance tips can prevent costly time delays during your vacation.  Now get out there and have some fun!

Be cautious when dealing with limited visibility when boating

While most of our bareboat charter business takes place in warm-water locations (Bahamas, Caribbean, etc.) we know many of our New England clients like to “sneak in”  a little summer sailing closer to
home. Fog make not be much of an issue for us in the Caribbean, but taking safety precautions during a sail bareboat yacht charter in Newport, for example, makes a good deal of sense!

The biggest danger of operating a sailing yacht or a motoryacht in fog probably comes from commercial vessels, including fishermen. The skippers of these vessels are seasoned veterans and are comfortable (dare we say “complacent”) operating in the soup.   Sadly, some of these gents are downright negligent, as evidenced by the Block Island ferry which hit the USCG buoy tender last year.

Commercial fishermen are particularly problematical.  Often short-handed, it seems these skippers feel that they know the local waters.  Many have a “attitude” when it comes to watching out recreational boaters and bareboat charter vessels.

The bottom line – you need to look out for yourself!

It is highly suggested that you have a strong radar monitor onboard, and you keep a sharp eye on it.  Going slow, and sounding your horn, is the safest way to cruise in the soup, but here’s an extra precaution you can take:

When traveling in a busy area, send a sécurité broadcast. Note your location, speed, direction, and broadcast your message on Channel 16.  Something like this should work: “Sécurité, sécurité, sécurité, this is the yacht “your boat name here” leaving Camden Harbor at 5 knots on course 120 degrees leaving buoy R2 headed towards Gilkey Harbor, all vessels take note.”  Skippers on nearby vessels will certainly appreciate the heads-up!

Caribbean yacht charter clients, especially bareboat charter families, have long been sailing the turquoise waters surrounding the British Virgin Islands, drawn to the sheltered anchorages, white-sand beaches, and easygoing lifestyle of these islands.

Once a hideaway for pirates and brigands, the BVI’s have only 17,000 residents – in contrast to the 100,000 people living in the American Virgin Islands (often referred to as the United States Virgin Islands, or USVI). Caribbean yacht charter customers won’t find highrises or fast food on any of these islands, and they’ll find only a few posh resorts mingling with the more casual villas, family-owned inns, and funky beachfront bars and restaurants.

Tortola, Virgin Gorda, and Jost Van Dyke are the most developed and most visited islands. Cooper Island, Peter Island, Norman Island, Marina Cay, and Sandy Cay are less developed but are popular with day-trippers. Most of the islands are close to each other and close to the USVI, making island-hopping the mode for the BVI.

Tortola (Spanish for turtle dove) is the capital of the British Virgin Islands (or BVI).  Road Town, on the southern coast, is Tortola’s capital. The entire island centers around Road Town and its beautiful harbor-businesses, luxury yacht charter marinas, restaurants, shops, pubs, and hotels.

Some fairly celebrated establishments like Pusser’s Road Town Pub grace the streets.   A favorite watering hole for thirsty barefoot sailors, Pusser’s pours English Ale on draft and mixes up some tasty concoctions with its famous Pusser’s Rum.

Pusser's Landing - a must see on your British Virgin Island bareboat yacht charter vacation

On Tortola’s north shore is the busy but laid-back Cane Garden Bay. This popular anchorage with its crescent-shaped beach has seen increasing crowds but has managed to hold onto its tradition of family-run inns, bars, and restaurants. Music is an integral part of Cane Garden Bay, and the friendly, open-air bars that line the water’s edge host local musicians whose island tunes can be heard floating across the bay.

Five miles from Tortola is Jost Van Dyke Island. Known as “the party island” of the BVI, “Jost” has only 150 residents, but it has six bars! Life on Jost Van Dyke has been described as “one long island-style happy hour” – with pig roasts, beach bars, and dancing in the sand. Foxy’s Tamarind Bar, an open-air ramshackle restaurant and bar has become a landmark and is undisputedly the most “happening” gathering spot for boaters in the BVI. Owner Foxy Caldwood is famous for his parties, none moreso than his annual New Year’s Eve party, which made Time magazine’s list of “Top 5 Places to Spend New Year’s.”

Norman Island is the largest uninhabited island in the British Virgin Islands and is steeped in pirate legend. Locals call it Treasure Island because of age-old stories of buried pirates’ loot. Blackbeard, one of the most famous and feared pirates of all time hung out here between raids.

At the western tip of Norman Island you will discover, “The Caves” – a popular spot with snorkelers and swimmers. The far northern cave is the most incredible, extending 70 feet into the mountainside.

Virgin Gorda is home to one of the Caribbean’s most amazing sights – exotic pools and grottos formed by gigantic granite boulders strewn across white-sand beaches. Known as “The Baths,” this surreal natural wonder (and snorkeler’s dream) is one of the most visited spots in the BVI.

The Baths of Virgin Gorda in the British Virgin Islands

Nature Little Secrets are a secret no more!

Pros and Cons of bareboat catamaran multihull charter sailboats

Most cats are equipped with dinghy-davits at the transom, which is absolutely great: no more towing the dinghy, thus no more drag on the boat speed.
 
Roominess on a Caribbean yacht charter catamaran is as noticeable as the space enjoyed on the top deck.
The catamaran will provide you with considerably more room than a monohull almost everywhere on the boat: in the cabins and in the salon. There is ample headroom everywhere!
 
A typical 40 to 45 foot cat will offer 4 large staterooms with comfortable queen-sized beds (no more V-berths like those found on monohulls). Most cat cabins have ensuite heads and showers. All cats have an enormous salon/cockpit combination capable to sit and entertain about 12 to 15 guests in style.
 
When it comes to sailing, performance is less important to the casual charter customer as compared to stability. Catamaran sailing yachts have phenomenal stability – they do not heel under way and do not roll at anchor. This usually makes seasickness a non-event; a big plus for first-time charterers.
 
Catamarans also have shallow drafts. This means catamarans can get into places monohulls yachts often cannot reach, and that they can also anchor closer to shore.
 
So what are the “cons” to a bareboat charter catamaran sailboat? For the casual charterer – there are none, except for the fact a cat is usually 25% more expensive than a monohull with the same cabin/head count. OK, if you really press for more cons, you could say cats are harder to anchor due to the fact that catamarans have more “windage” than monohulls, and, without keel and ballast, they have a tendency to “bob” on the water when a gust hits.
 
In conclusion, only hard-core sailors normally find fault with a cat, as nothing but a monohull can deliver a pure sailing experience. If you are about to enjoy your first charter vacation, or bringing with you some folks who could feel apprehensive at sea, you’ll probably be better off with a catamaran!

Oasis of the Seas - Royal Caribbean Cruiseship

The “Oasis of the Seas,”  Royal Caribbean’s huge cruise ship, plans to make St. Thomas, USVI its first port of call, but not if a local environmental group has any say in the matter.

Bareboat and Caribbean yacht charter enthusiasts, tourism and hotel officials, and concerned residents threaten legal action to stop a controversial dredging project in St. Thomas USVI.

The Coalition to Save Lindbergh Bay, Inc. has served noticed to Secretary of the Interior, Ken Salazar, and a host of Obama administration officials of the group’s intent to commence a lawsuit to prevent the dumping
of dredge spoil in Lindbergh Bay, St. Thomas, United States Virgin Islands.

Plans are underway to dredge a portion of Charlotte Amalie harbor, and deposit the dredged materials on the ocean floor of nearby Lindbergh Bay.

The Virgin Island Port Authority (VIPA) seeks government approval to dredge Charlotte Amalie Harbor to accommodate navigation and berthing of the world’s largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean’s “Oasis of the Seas.”  Currently under construction, the 1,180 ft vessel is scheduled to include St. Thomas as its first port of call in December 2009. An environmental assessment report commissioned by the VIPA states the project will actually improve the marine environment and prevent coastal erosion.

Some tourism and hotel officials don’t see it that way.

The Coalition to Save Lindbergh Bay, Inc. is concerned the environmental impact of the project will have adverse effects on the local economy. They cite the potential for harm to sea turtles, their nesting sites, and the protected coral species found in the Bay.

Long the hub of the Caribbean yacht charter, bareboat charter, cruiseship industry, and a thriving eco-friendly vacation destination, thousands of tourists visit the Virgin Islands each year to swim, boat, and dive in the protected waters.

According to the Coalition, the long-term results of damage to the environment will mean a reduction of tourism. “Tourists come here to experience nature, up close and personal,” states a local bareboat yacht charter employee. “If we destroy the natural beauty of the area, tourists will simply go elsewhere and we’ll all pay the price, including our marine environment.”

To read the VIPA environmental assessment report and learn more about the Coalition to Save Lindbergh Bay, Inc email andrea@virgin-islands-hotels.com