As I’m sure you are aware on the 6th of September, 2017, hurricane Irma passed directly over the BVI. As a category 5 hurricane, she left a trail of destruction in her path. All means of communication with the islands were wiped out, and whilst they are slowly being restored, information is still very limited at this time.
First and foremost, with great relief we can confirm that all our staff and their families are safe and unharmed, including Blackie, our beloved dock dog.
We are still working to complete full assessments of all of our boats. With many areas under lock down, this is extremely difficult. As you can imagine many of our boats were damaged, but thankfully most can be repaired. As communications and road access improves we will be able to provide more specific details of our fleet.
At this point we can confirm that we will not be offering charters in October or November. The whole team is working very hard to ensure that we repair, replace and rebuild in time for Christmas. We will be back in December, stronger than ever! We would like to encourage all of our guests with charters booked in October and November to consider rescheduling their trip. We will be reaching out to all of our customers individually as soon as we can.
Our team has been absolutely overwhelmed with the outpouring of love and support we continue to receive. The best way you can help us, and the rest of the BVI, is to come and charter with us soon. We have no doubt that the bars and restaurants will be back up and running in no time, the beaches will be cleared and the water is the same beautiful color it’s always been.
For the time being Abbie and Cassie will be responding to emails remotely. Access is extremely limited so please be patient while we restore systems at base. Kirstie, Anthony, Chris and Arjan are on the ground in Tortola working tirelessly, in extremely difficult conditions, to rebuild our business and the community.
Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we now brace ourselves for Hurricane Maria on Tuesday. We will provide another update once the storm has safely passed.
Thank you for your ongoing support.
Kind Regards
The BVI Yacht Charters Team
Andrew J. Stubbs says
I’m very relieved to hear that everyone is safe, including Blackie. I look forward to hearing more about what we can do (those planning to come in 2018) and bring to you guys to help out in any way possible. Please let me know.
Joan Jambor says
It is good to hear everyone is safe and you are Trying to be up and running in December. We have a house rented in Catherinburg on St John. For the first week of April.. I am not sure they will even have electricity. Looking forward to helping your business and the restaurants in BVI territory. by renting a boat and hiring a captain that week.
Joan Jambor says
Great to hear everyone safe even the loved dog. Would be interested in helpin BVI Chaters by renting for a week with captain.
Debbie & Michael Crossman says
Our Thoughts and prayers are with you all. So glad to hear that you are all safe. praying Maria will stay away! Things can be rebuilt people cannot. My husband (still not used to saying that) and I are still planning to come in March of 2018 for our delayed honeymoon. We look forward to watching the rebuild efforts and wish you all the best.
pat o'connor says
So, so sorry. Whatever we can do to help. We’ll be back. Stay safe.
Sheri A Bowie says
We are very happy to hear everyone is safe. We are sorry to hear about the destruction and loss Irma caused for everyone in its path. Our prayers are with you all as you rebuild. We constantly talk about our sailing trips in the BVI and will continue to spread good news. Best of luck- Sail On Shawn and Sheri Raymond.
Stephen Borde, Ph.D. says
Thanks so much for letting us all know that everyone is safe, and thanks so much for the periodic updates. We really appreciate them! We were concerned, especially after seeing the published photos and videos. However, we are very happy to hear that most of the fleet survived. We want to continue to support you by chartering as much as possible, when you reopen the base. You folks are such a fabulous team, and your consistent hard work has brought us tremendous joy in the BVI, over the years. Thank you all, again! Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with each and everyone of you, for a quick and complete recovery.
Gordon Folkes says
We are extremely glad to know everyone survived the hurricane. Life is much more precious than things!
But on another note, we put a deposit on a boat in your fleet that should be in your escrow account and now that you can not provide a boat we would like our deposit returned. I am sure you run an ethical business and those funds are in escrow and will be returned. Thanking you in advance for returning our deposit.
bill greene says
I sent in a request for quote for one of the two 54 foot monohulls for late march 2018. We enjoyed our charter with you last year so much and want to repeat!
Hope all is getting repaired there and that you will be back in sound condition soon!
Vlad Trusevich says
Glad you are (more or less) okay! Hold on there
Fisher/Jacobson says
We have not chartered in the BVI’s in quite some time, but our last charter was with you. We enjoy reading the newsletters, and were dismayed by the devastation from the hurricane. Like others who have commented before us, we are glad to know that the BVI people and dog report being safe. We wish you well in getting back into operation to the extent possible.
Tom Brondolo says
I hope you are all safe. Keep us posted when you can back in service. We are thinking of renting in January if the boats are floating and airplanes flying.
Roger and Mary Ivy Noone says
We are so glad you are all ok. We’ve been worried. We’ve promise to be back to charter as soon as we can. Thoughts and prayers are with you all as you rebuild.