I would estimate based on our recent charter that about 60%+ of the boats out there are transmitting an AIS signal. Still need to keep your eyes out, but it’s really becoming “easy button” sailing.

Sad, but a good thing as it’s was a danger attracting danger. Hopefully the ocean/beach will reclaim that stretch. Same with the chalets. Hopefully this will lite a fire amongst those with money in the game to either rebuild or sell.

You're correct.

Husker, the fares that are going to be in effect will rise to reflect increased seasonal demand, and I have no basis to disagree with the fares you cite as current offerings.

Again, however, I think that they prove the point that I was trying to make (and apparently failed to do effectively) which is that it is indeed a needless airport expansion that is being contemplated - contrary to Mrs. Ratman's [typically prescient and cogent] post that accurately points out that current inefficiencies could be eliminated by "development" of the existing footprint.

To be clear, the drumbeat is for "expansion" even though it's headlined as "development" and here it is from the proverbial horse's mouth ("da gub mint"): https://bvi.gov.vg/media-centre/bvi-airports-authority-advances-airport-development.

Note the the lead sentence in the PR: "The Government of the Virgin Islands has announced that significant progress is being made in the ongoing airport development project."

Now note this quote (and I'll only insert this portion of the text so that I don't get chided for violating the "fair use" doctrine🙄): "Honourable Rymer said, "We see this as a significant step in realising our vision for the expansion of the Terrance B Lettsome International Airport and the Territory on a whole. The overwhelming responses from reputable firms, both locally and internationally, affirms the importance and potential of this project.""

It's being referred to as "development" precisely the same way US politicians refer to "revenue enhancements" or "investments" instead of "tax increases." Unfortunately, what all of these BVI politicians are salivating over is the prospect of a mega project.

Last night there was amazing fireworks in Simpson bay. I only saw the end and had no chance to take a pic. Somebody from the Pelican resort had a drone that flew very close to the fireworks. Maybe someone has pictures to share

Is Peter still there? Havent seen him on this blog in a long time

Keep in mind that in many oceans you have both swell and wind driven waves. Often they come from different directions. The BVI is prone to swell from the North usually generated by storms in the North Atlantic. If you hear of a big Nor’easter in the US expect a big North swell in the BVI a few days later. Those swells in the BVI have virtually no impact when you are in open water sailing. They become a factor when they reach shallow water and turn into breaking waves. Wind driven chop on the other hand is what makes things nasty when out sailing creating short duration steep waves. Usually however it has little effect on anchorages as good ones provide both shelter from the wind and not enough fetch for the waves to build. Cane Garden Bay can be a great anchorage in 30 knots of wind when you are getting hammered out on the open water. CGB is however not a good place to be in a North swell even with calm winds. The North swell is monitored by a series of buoys along the Eastern US. This leads to very accurate swell forecasts. Wind forecasts are more iffy.
As far as the impact a swell might have on a anchorage there are no set rules. Slight changes in direction can have a big impact. Each anchorage will be affected differently. In the BVI a N swell primarily impacts Cane Garden Bay for overnights. My general rule is just go somewhere else if it’s over 1.2 meters give or take. A swell will also impact day stops like the Baths, Dogs, Savannah Bay, Guana, Monkey Point ect.. A swell can also produce large loads on shallow water mooring balls if the swell lifts the boat when its position is such that the mooring line snaps tight as the boat rises. This is probably what led to a well publicized ball failure by a big Utuber. Never leave a boat on a mooring unattended in a North swell. When the swell builds to 2 meters or more it can cause issues in places you don’t expect as it wraps around land masses or reflects off others. White Bay on Jost is an example and I have seen Cooper Island impacted in a big swell. If in the USVI and moderate or larger swell will take out all the great North side anchorages on St John.

I recently flew out of SXM and found the security process to be quite smooth, definitely not needing four hours. It could be worth checking the latest updates directly with Air Canada. You can reach out to them using the air canada phone number for the most accurate information. In my experience, two to three hours before departure is usually sufficient.

Yes, Phil, that's true.