Freedom at Sea

A few weeks ago, British Geoff Holt made sailing history as he became the first quadriplegic sailor to sail single handedly across the Atlantic. His voyage aboard a 60' wheelchair accessible catamaran began on December 10, 2009 in the Canary Islands and ended in Cane Garden Bay, Tortola. While Holt did all the sailing and navigating, he was accompanied by his personal care taker and a BBC cameraman documenting the journey. This was not the first time Holt sailed across the Atlantic Ocean. Prior to a diving accident in Cane Garden Bay at the age of 18 that left him paralysed from the chest down, Holt had actually made 3 other voyages across the Atlantic. Despite his disability, Holt maintained his enthusiasm for sailing and has worked through Great Britain to expose disabled persons to the sport. In the documentary, titled, "Personal Atlantic", Holt said that sailing was his, "livelihood before my accident and it was to be my saviour after it. The freedom I experience on the sea is like no other...When I am on the water, it makes me feel alive and any sailor, regardless of their ability, will know exactly that same feeling. Sailing is my life." At a reception held by the BVI Tourist Board in his honor, Holt said of his journey that he hopes, "people realize that whatever your problems in life might be, you can achieve your dreams. If you really believe in what you want to do, don't let people put you off. If it is a disability or whatever it may be, you can accomplish your dreams." To learn more about Holt, read his memoir, "Walking on Water."

Holt's why not attitude is one to live by, and what better way is there to realize your dreams than by stepping aboard the beautifully maintained 80' sloop, Y-Not. With her spacious salon and beautiful wood throughout, Y-Not offers comfort and luxury. She can accommodate 6 guests in 3 cabins. Her cabins feature a full beam master forward with a king-sized bed and private bath, and two ensuite staterooms with queen beds which can be converted to singles. They have been updated and are beautifully decorated. The yacht is fully air-conditioned and is the perfect size for just the right level of guest comfort and convenience. Her professional crew of 3 offer you the vacation of a lifetime. Click to learn more about a Y-Not Yacht Charter. What are you waiting for? Let your dream vacation become reality. Take a lesson from Holt- instead of asking, "Why?" say, Y-Not! - Donna

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Mustique Blues Festival

If you have taken a charter Caribbean in St. Vincent and The Grenadines, chances are that you have stopped at the legendary, open-air, thatched bar on Mustique called Basil's. The spirit of Basil's Bar has always been, "Why not have fun?" The answer to that questions is, to have fun, be yourself and just do it! That is how the Mustique Blues Festival was born. Fifteen years ago, London blues singer, Dana Gillespie, was visiting her friend Basil. She decided to sing, the crowd loved it, and the festival was born. This year's 15th edition of the Blues Festival will take place January 27 to February 10, 2010 with a stellar roster of jazz and blues greats. Each Sunday of the festival begins with a Sunset Show...a perfect venue for families and children to come and enjoy the blues, a cocktail and a plate of fries. Each Wednesday, a buffet dinner is served. The performances raise money for the school children of St. Vincent. This year's line up includes Dana Gillespie, The London Blues Band, Dino Baptiste, Hans Theessink, Ian Siegel, and Grammy-award winner, Joe Louis Walker. If you cannot make it, CDs will be available for sale after the event at http://www.basilsmustique.com/ and proceeds will benefit a great cause! Better yet, book your charter and make the 16th Annual Mustique Blues Festival part of your winter vacation plans for next year! - Donna

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So Long Loran, Hello Advanced Technology

It's official. On February 8, 2010 the radio navigation system that was used by mariners for decades will be turned off. LORAN, short for long range navigation, was developed during World War II for military ships and aircraft. LORAN-C was developed for civilian use in 1957 and used radio signals from 24 land-based towers operated by the US Coast Guard to determine positions at sea. For decades, it was the standard navigation system used by commercial fishing boats, recreational craft and other vessels. Alas, like so many things, it has become obsolete. Today, mariners use global positioning systems - GPS- which uses signals from satellites. The marine GPS systems are as versatile as their better known counterparts used in cars. They can be permanently mounted in a charter yacht or small sized portable GPS handheld marine devices are available which can be moved from boat to boat. Special features such as waterproofing, sunlight friendly color displays, touch screen technology and ease of use make them useful to all types of charterers. In addition to the introduction of low cost GPS, several trends have developed in marine technology. The latest marine GPS have multi function displays to integrate nautical, barometric, radar and satellite information to create an all-encompassing real-time image of the navigation situation. Instead of showing data on one display on split screens, it is all shown in one screen window with all the data overlaid. With advancements in hardware and software, you can now have networked instruments , including radar, fish-finder and chart plotting, as well as your entertainment systems all running on the same high quality displays. The displays are in HD high resolution color on new widescreen formats and 3-D images are just around the corner. There are many other innovations in design and software for marine technology, but frankly, they are beyond my techno-savvy comprehension. What is important to know is that these innovations will increase not only your safety but enjoyment aboard your charter Caribbean. - Donna

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Your Oasis In The Sun

If you dream of a place that is full of peace and solitude- you can make it a reality in 2010! Upscale travel website, Jetsetter.com recently came up with a list of the world's top 10 islands off the beaten track to find an oasis from the frenzy of every day life. No surprise on their list- we have already covered 5 of them! Numbers 1 and 2 on the list are the islands of Mustique and Canouan located in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. To learn more about these islands, see our article on the Windward Islands. Number 6 on the list is Harbour Island, Bahamas. Part of the Bahamas collection of over 1,100 islands, this small island has more than three miles of pink sand. Check out the January 2010 issue of our newsletter, Charter Chatter, to learn more about this destination. Holding number 8 on the list is Hvar. One of the islands off Croatia and part of the Dalmatian coast, Hvar has a beautiful port town of the same name. To explore this amazing coastline, go to our March 2008 issue of Charter Chatter. And, rounding out number 10 is the island of Culebra, part of the archipelago of islands called the Spanish Virgins off the coast of Puerto Rico. Go to our article on the Spanish Virgin Islands to discover the natural beauty of this unique area.

If you are looking for your own unique oasis on a charter Caribbean, look no further than Secret Oasis, a 58' catamaran. Imagine vacationing with the finest crew aboard the latest designed luxurious catamaran! On Secret Oasis, you will sail, scuba dive, swim, snorkel, windsurf, kayak, fish or hike through a rainforest. You can also just relax and unwind, explore tranquil anchorages, enjoy a leisurely cruise, sip cocktails at sunset, and catch a glimpse of a shooting star... it is all up to you! She has five elegantly-adorned large staterooms, each with its own 17" digital television with built-in DVD and CD player. Four staterooms are queen-sized and the fifth stateroom is a queen-size bed in a double cabin. There are four ensuite separate shower, sink, vanity unit and dressing mirror. One shower and toilet combined is in the 5th stateroom. Captain Jacques and Chef Janette are a lively, fun and energetic couple who love to share all the islands have to offer. Click to learn more about a Secret Oasis Yacht Charter. And by the way---here is a secret treat just for you: A special offer 10% discount on charters between January 5-August 15 aboard Secret Oasis!

So, what is your excuse? You know where to go, what charter to take and a discount to boot! All you have to do is take off your shoes, relax and leave your frenzied life behind you as you discover nature's secrets in the Caribbean oasis! - Donna

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Helping Haiti

At Virgin Island Sailing, we love the islands - all of them! Therefore, we would be remiss if we did not send our thoughts and prayers to all those effected by the massive earthquake in Haiti. For those of you that want to help, please make sure to use agencies that will actually spend the funds for the benefit of the people of Haiti. At this point, relief agencies are asking that you do not send supplies directly. It costs more to ship them. Also, the island will benefit if money is spent there to purchase the needed supplies, thus aiding the economy. So, where can you send help. We suggest the following:
1) The American Red Cross has pledged an initial $1 million donation. People can contribute online at www. redcross.org or make a $10 donation be sending a text message with the word "Haiti" to 90999.
2) Musician Wyclef Jean, a native of Haiti, has a website to assist at www.yele.org
3) Project HOPE, which provides medical supplies and health care services, is seeking donations through its website at www.projecthope.org
4) The Salvation Army is sending personnel and supplies to assist the relief effort. People can contribute online at www.salvationarmyusa.org
5) The United Nations World Food Program already had team on the ground and donations can be made online at www.wfp.org
6) Action Against Hunger has teams in Haiti and people can give online at www.actionagainsthunger.org
The FBI has warned of people claiming to be earthquake survivors and fraudulent, unsolicited emails seeking help. People should also verify the legitimacy of organizations and resist giving out personal information. Again, our thoughts are with you Haiti! - Donna

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World Class Performances on World Class Island

Do you enjoy big city culture but like the island lifestyle? For the next two weeks, you do not need to choose! Since 1985, St. Barts has hosted a performing arts festival unlike any other in the world. Each year during January, more than a dozen nights of the finest live music and dance performances are offered in an informal island setting. Audiences are treated to intimate concerts by some of the world's most prominent classical, opera, ballet and jazz stars. These performers have the level of artistry that one would normally have to attend Carnegie Hall in New York, or the Opera Garnier in Paris to experience. But they are offered to audiences with the added advantage of island breezes and the fragrance of tropical flowers. By day, visitors can enjoy the beautiful beaches of St. Barts and world-class duty free shopping in Gustavia. By night, relax in quaint local churches and community halls for some of the best music and dance performances ever offered. We are talking world class performers! Dancers have performed with the American Ballet Theater, The Paris Opera Ballet, the San Francisco Ballet, the Boston Ballet and the famed Russian Bolshoi. Opera Singers are from the likes of La Scala in Milan, the Metropolitan Opera and the Lyric Opera of Chicago. The musicians are soloists and principals from philharmonic and symphony orchestras from around the world, including London, Paris, New York, Boston, Montreal and many more! After the performances, rub elbows with performers and other visiting celebs while you dine in one of the island's many fine restaurants. The music festival runs January 11-20th. Advanced tickets to performances are not necessary- just come to the island and pay at the door! Click to learn more about the island of St. Barts and charters Caribbean. Once you experience it, you will surely want an encore! -Donna

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Voyage 580: The Ultimate in Luxury Bareboat Catamarans

We are very excited to introduce the Voyage 580 catamaran to our bareboat fleet of Tortola charters! The Voyage 580 is the largest, most luxurious bareboat available to charter in the BVIs. Although you can arrange for a captain or a training skipper, for the first time, this "Next Generation" luxury yacht can be chartered without a skipper or any crew on board provided you submit two very qualified skipper's resumes or one skipper with a Coast Guard Certification. ( Contact us for specific details) So, exactly what is this luxury yacht that was recently voted as the Best Cruising Multihull by Cruising World Magazine? This yacht was designed and built for discerning sailors who demand a safe, seaworthy high performance sailing vessel that provides a large size and maximum comfort. Manufactured using the highest quality of materials, equipment and finishes with meticulous attention to detail, from bow to stern, this user friendly, easily managed vessel will be the envy of every bareboat charterer in the BVI. The Voyage 580 is 58 ft. long and 31 ft. wide and offers accommodations up to 12 guests. This yacht features 5 spacious cabins: one king bedded cabin and 3 queen bedded cabins - all with ensuite bathrooms with electric heads, separate shower and vanity units, and one double cabin with ensuite electric head. (One double crew berth with deck access is also available). A 6th head is located in the interior companionway. Complete linens and towels come for each berth. The spacious salon has seating for 12. (Two dining tables, a built in refrigerator for drinks and a sink are located in the cockpit). The large, fully equipped gourmet galley comes with two large freezers, a refrigerator, microwave, built in cocktail bar, ice maker, high-end cookware and utensils, top of the line kitchen appliances and a full dinner place setting for each guest onboard. Other top of the line amenities include generators, air conditioning, full Raymarine electronics, water makers, electric winches, Bose Surround Sound system, flat screen TV/DVD player in the salon and each cabin, iPod docking station, and cellular phone. The rear hulls provide easy access to the 15 ft. inflatable center console dinghy with 50hp engine. The large forward trampolines and large deck are great for sunbathing, while the large shaded cockpit with hard top bimini provides a respite from the sun. A teak swim/dive platform with aft swim ladders are a great way to enjoy the included snorkel gear. Hot and cold water transom showers are also included. Her fine clean lines, her outward and inward beauty and numerous innovations throughout has set a new standard of bareboat cruising for Tortola charters. Let the Voyage 580 take you, your family and friends on the next generation of luxury bareboat yachts, and see for yourself why she is the pride of the multihulls! - Donna

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Escape the Winter Blues with the Best in Blues

There are not too many places in the U.S. right now that can escape that blast of Arctic cold. Even sunny Florida is experiencing the brrr! Seems like reason enough to escape the winter blues and head to the Caribbean. And one of the best places to go is the sun-drenched island of Barbados, where the 17th Annual Barbados Jazz festival is about to take place. From January 11-17, the mellow, smooth sounds of jazz and blues will be warming up patrons. This festival celebrates the best in international and local jazz talent. The venues for the festival also reflect the diverse nature of the festival. The modern Sir Garfield Sobers gymnasium suits a large crowd. The open air Farley Hill National Park is ideal for a day of picnicking and jazz, and the lovely Sunbury Plantation House is over 300 years old and steeped in history. This year's festival will be headlined by 1970s Motown star, Smokey Robinson, and will also feature contemporary and classic jazz vocalists such as Robin Thicke, Etienne Charles, Babyface and Cuban Classics. Something new to the festival this year is a dedicated page on Facebook where you can receive live updates, post comments and much more!

Another way to beat the winter blues is on board the 58' catamaran, Braveheart. There is no better way to explore the tropical wonders of the Caribbean than aboard this all-inclusive, luxuriously appointed, well-equipped modern catamaran. Her spacious decks and comfortable staterooms can accommodate 2-9 guests in fully air conditioned comfort. Relax and thaw out your bones while sipping a Caribbean cocktail in an idyllic anchorage. Learn to scuba, windsurf, wake board, water ski, kayak or fish right from the boat. Braveheart has all of the modern conveniences, such as scuba compressors, water maker, ice machine, wifi, and ensuite a/c with separate controls- allowing you to cruise without hampering your vacation time. The four private staterooms, each with ensuite dry head, electric toilet and separate shower, and in room entertainment systems accommodate up to 8 guests. There is a single for the ninth guest. The 4 staterooms and single bunk make her perfect for 4 couples or 2 families with children to enjoy in spacious comfort. Captain Jerry loves teaching and is an avid water sports enthusiast. He enjoys sharing all his varied knowledge with guests. He teaches SCUBA courses from first time resort courses to full and advanced diving certifications. After residing in the Caribbean for 13 years, he is a good source of local knowledge and history which ensures every trip is unique, fun and interesting. Chef Dawn will tailor the gourmet menu to your personal choices of cuisine. Her passion for travel is reflected in her love of cooking. Her European, Mediterranean and Asian influences will win you over as will her caring attention to detail. This fun loving crew is there to provide excellent service to the highest standards so that you will enjoy the vacation of a lifetime! Click for more info about a Braveheart Yacht Charter.

Why not warm up your soul this winter? Enjoy the sweet sounds of the Barbados Jazz Festival and soak up the sun-drenched islands aboard your private yacht charter. The winter blues will just melt away!!! - Donna

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