This was our 5th charter to the BVI, our 3rd time buying owners time and our 1st time during October. Up till now, (and from now on <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />) we had scheduled our trips in the first week of December. This was also a first for us to fly into STT rather than EIS and we think that is the way to go. We enjoyed meeting Mike at the Ferry dock restaurant and really liked using the ferry. As most people here have said, it is a quick way to get into vacation mode. This made me chuckle: I went upstairs to Mike’s place while we were waiting for the ferry, and asked him if Mari and I could get a couple painkillers to go and would we be allowed to take them to the ferry waiting area. He said “I’m surprised they let you in there without a painkiller!”

We had an evening start on Oct 8th, hitched a ride to Bobby’s, finished our shopping in short order – and then got a ride back to the Moorings base. Totally cool. After a happy birthday song for Mari from Royden of the Moorings staff and a quick boat show on Thursday morning, (it was the same boat we had last year and the best I’ve ever chartered “Keuka Breeze”) we left for Marina Cay.

There were quite a few things that we liked about being there in Oct, not the least of which was the lack of any pressure to get to a harbor in a hurry. We always found plenty of mooring balls available, no matter when we arrived. I also think the coral was a bit brighter and the fish a bit more plentiful, but that might be my imagination. Anyway, there are certainly some aspects of chartering during hurricane season that are appealing. Just not the hurricane.

I had been watching the forecasts and was aware that there was a disturbance; I guess it is called, a few days before we left. This was most noticeable from the Beef Island forecast that changed from partly sunny to a good chance for rain for all the days we were to be there, but having seen forecasted “scattered showers” on every trip previously, I didn’t think too much of it. Besides, it was too late to do anything anyway.

From Saturday on, we had rather cloudy weather, with squalls and rain cropping up each day. However, it wasn’t always raining, often we could sail a different direction and miss the rain altogether. I will say though, we also missed the sunshine.

On Tuesday night, Oct 14th, we moored at Trellis to go to the Full Moon Party. Rainy, but still fun. Several different computer models had Omar turning a) nasty and b) away. We hoped for b, and spent a rather quiet night. Early the next morning, after listening to the WX and talking with other boats nearby, we headed back to Moorings. As we approached Roadtown, we could see a steady stream of boats headed up the coastline to the hurricane hole. You might imagine that there would be quite a lot of radio traffic with over 100 boats returning to base (it was also airline regatta week) and you would be right. No problem. The Moorings staff was cool, efficient and helpful. We radioed when we were at the cruise ship dock, and circled (like being in a landing pattern) until it was our turn to pull, stern to, into a slip. From that point, the Moorings staff took over, they helped everyone get their gear off the boats and then they pulled off the jibs, lashed down the boom, pretty much stripped em quick and brought out the tires. I was really impressed with how cheerful, and professional both staffs (Moorings and Sunsail) handled the situation. Food was provided, it wasn’t free but it was ready right away. The staff also called all over the island to ensure that everyone had a hotel room for the night, and had a steady stream of cabs taking people to their new home for the night. We wound up at the A&L hotel, corner of Fleming and Main, right downtown. We were issued a flashlight in case the power went out (it did) and I filled the tub with water to use for the toilet in case we lost water (we did). Across the street a bar had a “hurricane” party until late into the night. [Linked Image] And, (this is so cool) the next morning the bar hostess went to Rite Way, bought coffee and served it to about 10 airline folks and ourselves out of bowls with a ladle! That was extremely nice, and just another indication of how everyone goes over and above when the chips are down.

One other note, and I’m not trying to be political, but you know how sometimes islanders can be a bit hard to get to know at first? On this trip, EVERY TIME we mentioned Barack Obama we were instant friends with the local people. I had longer, friendlier conversations with him as the subject than I’ve ever had before. While I expected some interest, I was not prepared for the passion and expectations he provoked. What a joy.