Just headed back to CT after surviving a week on St. John before, during and after Irma. Catatonic did not survive, but we are working on another catamaran since it is time to work on rebuilding the place we all love so much.

I've only had a few hours to work on the web site and a sleepless night to dream this up last night, but here my idea. Find term charter captain only yachts that are willing to offer cabins/berths as very discounted rates to operate as floating self-sustaining operations base to help rebuild local business. Logistics such as getting supplies from PR and outlining particular projects are essential.

Looking for volunteers to move this forward ASAP. Working on a utility power boat that could move supplies more efficiently from PR to the VIs.

http://www.VIStrongCharters.org

Let's get aboard and help our friends and businesses that have been our VI family all of these years.

Big challenge right now is finding yachts capable of such an operation. We don't want to just send people down who will tax the scarce local resources.

Open to ideas and suggestions.

The shores of Louisiana are filled with real boats designed for this work. The decline in oil prices leaves them mothballed and sitting. Boats for housing, boats for materials. One is already loaded and on its way.

Dunkirk was 80 years ago. The BVI needs restoration not an amatuer too little too late Dunkirk in Sea going golf carts.

If you must partner with an organization who has done this before and you must be willing to shift any funds, labor, and materials to another damaged area the first time you are not fully locally sponsored.

Hi all, looks like Dirk is teaming up with www.sailorshelping.org Already in process and 20% of the goal reached so far.

They sum up it up pretty well "Think a massive flotilla meets habitat for humanity"

Thanks for posting this and even the idea...so sorry about Catatonic..one hell of a boat...if she could talk I would sit and listen...

It has been said that there are two types of people: "doers" and "don'ters" Doers act. Don'ters just talk. "Negativism" is defined as "an attitude of mind marked by skepticism, especially about nearly everything affirmed by others." Negativistic don'ters accomplish nothing. I choose to applaud and support the optimistic doers. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />

Have not booked our winter vacation yet and would be very willing to be part of a "habitat Build" type operation. I have been trying to figure out how to give back to the place where my heart lives forever. Please keep this moving and we will help. I do not own a boat, but there are two able bodied people, young at heart who want to help out where needed.