Traveltalkonline.com Forums


BVI Cruise Schedule TTOL Sponsors BVI Travel Calendar
Forum Statistics
Forums39
Topics38,431
Posts310,076
Members26,538
Most Online2,218
Jan 21st, 2020
Top Posters(30 Days)
RonDon 115
pat 42
Todd 40
jazzgal 40
Member Spotlight
Aries4
Aries4
Morrisville, PA/West End, Tortola
Posts: 437
Joined: July 2006
Show All Member Profiles 
Today's Birthdays
ecco, OceanDrop, vincent
Who's Online Now
36 registered members (blooming, CJIMI, Donaegada, Fletch, Zanshin, cabokid, OceanSong, bailau, caribbeangirl13, timnboston, RickG, Fran, eightzerobits, Bernd, kaba, SURICK, Michel_Benarrosh, Kennys, tradewinds, JeanneB, steve74, SacoFrank, SXMScubaman, RonDon, 12 invisible), 973 guests, and 66 spiders.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
Rate Thread
New info of protocols for yachts?? #236994
10/14/2020 07:39 PM
10/14/2020 07:39 PM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,266
Vero Beach, Fl and South Sound...
tpcook Offline OP
Traveler
tpcook  Offline OP
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,266
Vero Beach, Fl and South Sound...
Anyone have info on the yacht "discussion" tonight??


tpcook
BVI Sponsors
Re: New info of protocols for yachts?? [Re: tpcook] #237003
10/14/2020 08:31 PM
10/14/2020 08:31 PM
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 168
The Beautiful BVI
B
Brent Offline
Traveler
Brent  Offline
Traveler
B
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 168
The Beautiful BVI
Ahoy Captains,

As a Stakeholder in the Bareboat Yacht Charter industry in the BVI I have received the DRAFT Protocols for the Bareboat Yachts, Crewed Yachts, and Boatyards.
The salient points are #1 This is a Draft Protocol, #2 This is a Draft Protocol, #3 There is no mention of Any Medical Testing or Quarantine for any Guests.
There are no specific provisions for long term yacht occupancy at a dock. No provisions for security, body counts, or wash stations per occupied yacht.
The Draft Protocols are mostly the Logistics of Sanitizing and the Hygiene of the Vessels, Maintaining a Healthy Workplace, and Observing and Reporting Infections. In general the Protocols seem very straight forward and logical and practical, considering it is a deadly pandemic.
Logged into the on-line Stakeholder Consultation meeting tonight, Wed Oct 14.
The BVI Gov Moderators and Officials were all Very Polite and Professional.
Of course one of the first Questions was regarding the Medical Protocols for Tourists.
The Answer was Respectful and Precise and as Expected there would be No Discussion of that issue during this evenings meeting.
The Draft Protocols documented today and the Consultation tonight are strictly about the logistics of operating yachts safely regarding the Virus.
This is all to make a Yacht Charter in the BVI with your Family and Friends one of the Safest and Healthiest and most Enjoyable Vacations in the World into 2021 and beyond.

The BVI now has a Date, and in regards to a Protocol for Travel, is trying to control a hurricane.

As expected, and with more to gain or lose than the average TTOL member, I am resolved to waiting patiently for the BVI Gov decision, hopefully and with no other option, until next week?
And then as improvements in Testing and Treatment and Vaccines evolve, I look forward to positive changes in those protocols within weeks if not months.

Fair Winds, Brent from The Captains Compass

Re: New info of protocols for yachts?? [Re: Brent] #237006
10/14/2020 08:48 PM
10/14/2020 08:48 PM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,266
Vero Beach, Fl and South Sound...
tpcook Offline OP
Traveler
tpcook  Offline OP
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,266
Vero Beach, Fl and South Sound...
Sad that during the "discussion" that they would not entertain any questions about the protocols to be used. i guess I am not as patient as you. They have had 6 months to think. Now do something other than announce a date, which allows them in theory to say they are open. I have spent millions in the last 3 years in the BVI and need to show a profit for my investment.


tpcook
Re: New info of protocols for yachts?? [Re: tpcook] #237009
10/14/2020 08:54 PM
10/14/2020 08:54 PM
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 17,029
Tortola/ Sonoma, California
Manpot Offline
Traveler
Manpot  Offline
Traveler
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 17,029
Tortola/ Sonoma, California
OK..I dread to think how much they spent on that promo video?? From their past ventures I know they have probably overspent by one hundred percent ..but why do the video ..luring folks back and with ABSOLUTELY no clues as to how it will work???..Come on..time to get serious BVI Gov..this is embarrasing..I mean stupid and embarrasing...We want to help..we want to get the economy going..for all that is sacred..give us a clue!

Re: New info of protocols for yachts?? [Re: tpcook] #237013
10/14/2020 10:26 PM
10/14/2020 10:26 PM
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 5,861
Bradenton, FL
Winterstale Offline
Traveler
Winterstale  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 5,861
Bradenton, FL
Gee Mal....I am willing to bet a major news source would think this was one hell of a story if the BVI lured everyone back and then it ended up being Charlie Brown running for the football and Lucy snatching it away....just a thought.....talk about a bait and switch.


[Linked Image]

Re: New info of protocols for yachts?? [Re: tpcook] #237014
10/14/2020 10:34 PM
10/14/2020 10:34 PM
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 5,861
Bradenton, FL
Winterstale Offline
Traveler
Winterstale  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 5,861
Bradenton, FL
Obviously only if they actually DO put forth protocols that are totally undoable....
BVIYC did a virtual happy hour last week encouraging everyone to keep booking.


[Linked Image]

Re: New info of protocols for yachts?? [Re: tpcook] #237023
10/15/2020 08:35 AM
10/15/2020 08:35 AM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,148
road town
sleepychef Offline
Traveler
sleepychef  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,148
road town
All the protocols for all businesses are being put in place to be ready for tourists to return from high risk countries. The bar and restaurant owners are jumping through hoops with plexiglass being required round all bars , numbers being limited and being assigned by the EHO , high fines and instant closure if rules are not followed.

This is so once borders are open people are used to serving like this, Lucy is not welcome.

Most of the US is closed to European tourists if not all and most of Europe is closed to US tourists due to Covid but they can travel from 1st December in the BVI, I hoped they would open to smaller Caribbean nations that had the virus under control first to get the entry protocols worked out, but they chose this route and so we wait.

Re: New info of protocols for yachts?? [Re: tpcook] #237030
10/15/2020 09:12 AM
10/15/2020 09:12 AM
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 5,861
Bradenton, FL
Winterstale Offline
Traveler
Winterstale  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 5,861
Bradenton, FL
....and there are so many tourists who will have that “we’re on vacation” attitude and want to drop all safety measures - I see it around me all the time here on the Gulf Coast - entitled, selfish behavior that reflects badly on the entire country. I can certainly understand the wariness but I don’t understand the whole “welcome back” campaign without listing the rules at the same time so people could make an informed decision before spending $$$. If the country is “technically” open but people still can’t visit due to the protocols? I wonder how rebooking will look or if it will be allowed without travel insurance. Do I just have to eat the $5k? I am sure I’m not the only one who is nervous :-(


[Linked Image]

Re: New info of protocols for yachts?? [Re: tpcook] #237031
10/15/2020 09:12 AM
10/15/2020 09:12 AM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,993
GA/NC
GeorgeC1 Offline
Traveler
GeorgeC1  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,993
GA/NC
The people I know who have been waiting on the BVI are starting to book other places. The timeline is getting to short and people want airfare ect.. locked in. The BVI is losing future revenue every day they delay. The Covid numbers in the USVI have been outstanding since their new protocols. Copy them and let’s go!
G

Re: New info of protocols for yachts?? [Re: tpcook] #237032
10/15/2020 09:17 AM
10/15/2020 09:17 AM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,148
road town
sleepychef Offline
Traveler
sleepychef  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,148
road town
I thought the whole welcome bvilove video was a joke, starting with welcome back,when to come, come now and then at the end Dec 1st i was gutted and well pissed off. I'm sure they will open Dec 1st for all tourists, they are just getting us ready...i hope.

Re: New info of protocols for yachts?? [Re: tpcook] #237035
10/15/2020 09:29 AM
10/15/2020 09:29 AM
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 5,861
Bradenton, FL
Winterstale Offline
Traveler
Winterstale  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 5,861
Bradenton, FL
I sure hope so too.....


[Linked Image]

Re: New info of protocols for yachts?? [Re: Winterstale] #237037
10/15/2020 09:47 AM
10/15/2020 09:47 AM
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 962
Middleburg, VA
cwoody Offline
Traveler
cwoody  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 962
Middleburg, VA
Giving BVI gov till 11/1 to announce the "plan".

If no plan or we don't like the plan ......

Then we postpone "again" to Spring 2021.


Chuck W.

Re: New info of protocols for yachts?? [Re: tpcook] #237042
10/15/2020 10:18 AM
10/15/2020 10:18 AM
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 5,861
Bradenton, FL
Winterstale Offline
Traveler
Winterstale  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 5,861
Bradenton, FL
Starting to feel like another Fyre Festival....


[Linked Image]

Re: New info of protocols for yachts?? [Re: tpcook] #237049
10/15/2020 11:23 AM
10/15/2020 11:23 AM
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 979
Northern Virginia
ecm56 Offline
Traveler
ecm56  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 979
Northern Virginia
This reminds me of Kapeye's song about the islands - "Come back another day".

Re: New info of protocols for yachts?? [Re: GeorgeC1] #237062
10/15/2020 12:46 PM
10/15/2020 12:46 PM
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 71
North of Memphis
M
Midsouth Offline
Traveler
Midsouth  Offline
Traveler
M
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 71
North of Memphis
George is right. I cancelled my DYC charter for 5 December, and am instead booked out of Key West. As much as I love cruising the BVI, I just couldn't wait any longer to start nailing things down. I've now got my boat and flights reserved, and am fudging up an itinerary.

Re: New info of protocols for yachts?? [Re: tpcook] #237065
10/15/2020 12:57 PM
10/15/2020 12:57 PM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,993
GA/NC
GeorgeC1 Offline
Traveler
GeorgeC1  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,993
GA/NC
I have spent a lot of time in Key West. I love the place! Enjoy!

Re: New info of protocols for yachts?? [Re: Midsouth] #237066
10/15/2020 01:00 PM
10/15/2020 01:00 PM
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 23
A
Andiamo Offline
Traveler
Andiamo  Offline
Traveler
A
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 23
Originally Posted by Midsouth
George is right. I cancelled my DYC charter for 5 December, and am instead booked out of Key West. As much as I love cruising the BVI, I just couldn't wait any longer to start nailing things down. I've now got my boat and flights reserved, and am fudging up an itinerary.


Who did you book your charter through for Key West?

Re: New info of protocols for yachts?? [Re: GeorgeC1] #237072
10/15/2020 01:34 PM
10/15/2020 01:34 PM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,266
Vero Beach, Fl and South Sound...
tpcook Offline OP
Traveler
tpcook  Offline OP
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,266
Vero Beach, Fl and South Sound...
Take a sail to the fort off Key West Nice ride. Interesting Place.


tpcook
Re: New info of protocols for yachts?? [Re: tpcook] #237076
10/15/2020 02:20 PM
10/15/2020 02:20 PM
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 979
Northern Virginia
ecm56 Offline
Traveler
ecm56  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 979
Northern Virginia
Yes, Fort Jefferson is very interesting and there is good snorkeling there. We enjoyed that.

Re: New info of protocols for yachts?? [Re: Andiamo] #237190
10/16/2020 10:12 PM
10/16/2020 10:12 PM
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 71
North of Memphis
M
Midsouth Offline
Traveler
Midsouth  Offline
Traveler
M
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 71
North of Memphis
Originally Posted by Andiamo
Originally Posted by Midsouth
George is right. I cancelled my DYC charter for 5 December, and am instead booked out of Key West. As much as I love cruising the BVI, I just couldn't wait any longer to start nailing things down. I've now got my boat and flights reserved, and am fudging up an itinerary.


Who did you book your charter through for Key West?

Originally Posted by Andiamo
Originally Posted by Midsouth
George is right. I cancelled my DYC charter for 5 December, and am instead booked out of Key West. As much as I love cruising the BVI, I just couldn't wait any longer to start nailing things down. I've now got my boat and flights reserved, and am fudging up an itinerary.


Who did you book your charter through for Key West?


Dreamyacht; just reassigned my time I had reserved in the BVI

Re: New info of protocols for yachts?? [Re: tpcook] #237195
10/17/2020 02:31 AM
10/17/2020 02:31 AM
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 5,861
Bradenton, FL
Winterstale Offline
Traveler
Winterstale  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 5,861
Bradenton, FL
Friends of mine had some serious issues with their boats in Key West recently.....spent 8 nights out of 14 on the docks...they were NOT happy...just an FYI.


[Linked Image]

Re: New info of protocols for yachts?? [Re: tpcook] #237215
10/17/2020 10:37 AM
10/17/2020 10:37 AM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,451
Finger Lake Region
crmoores Offline
Traveler
crmoores  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,451
Finger Lake Region
Originally Posted by tpcook
Take a sail to the fort off Key West Nice ride. Interesting Place.


We took a pontoon plane from KW to Dry Tortugas and that was a great day, very good snorkeling off the beach. From the air you can see the sand dunes that are reportedly constantly shifting in that area and understand why Mel Fisher had trouble finding the wreck upon his return...
Met a couple from TX who were roughing it there (off the grid) for a week or two - took the ferry in, no electricity, running water, etc, and they described the walk to the restroom at night with dealing with hundred of crabs...A unique getaway!


"Travel changes you. As you move through this life and this world you change things slightly, you leave marks behind, however small. And in return, life — and travel — leaves marks on you.”
-Anthony Bourdain
Re: New info of protocols for yachts?? [Re: Winterstale] #237318
10/18/2020 08:54 AM
10/18/2020 08:54 AM
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 71
North of Memphis
M
Midsouth Offline
Traveler
Midsouth  Offline
Traveler
M
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 71
North of Memphis
Originally Posted by Winterstale
Friends of mine had some serious issues with their boats in Key West recently.....spent 8 nights out of 14 on the docks...they were NOT happy...just an FYI.


A friend of mine just got back, said it was great, with no problems. I've had to have repair boats bring parts out in the BVI as well. I think that's not just limited to Key West, but anywhere you have boats in a charter program.

But being on the dock would suck, just not as bad as being on the couch at home.

Re: New info of protocols for yachts?? [Re: Winterstale] #237322
10/18/2020 09:23 AM
10/18/2020 09:23 AM
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,478
Central Florida!
Carol_Hill Offline
Traveler
Carol_Hill  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,478
Central Florida!
I suspect that part of the problem may be that they have been slammed busy, as many people who normally would have chartered in the BVI and elsewhere, have punted to Florida, and they have not been able to keep up with maintenance issues, as all their boats are in service..


Carol Hill
Re: New info of protocols for yachts?? [Re: tpcook] #237336
10/18/2020 11:41 AM
10/18/2020 11:41 AM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,266
Vero Beach, Fl and South Sound...
tpcook Offline OP
Traveler
tpcook  Offline OP
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,266
Vero Beach, Fl and South Sound...
So I have decided not to go to my villa until the covid tests are removed. I understand they are painful and the thought of 4 of them just does not interest me.


tpcook
Re: New info of protocols for yachts?? [Re: tpcook] #237340
10/18/2020 12:30 PM
10/18/2020 12:30 PM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,148
road town
sleepychef Offline
Traveler
sleepychef  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,148
road town
they are not painful, just uncomfortable .

Re: New info of protocols for yachts?? [Re: tpcook] #237349
10/18/2020 01:34 PM
10/18/2020 01:34 PM
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,901
Maine
Breeze Offline
Traveler
Breeze  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,901
Maine
Thorsten, the best thing about this world is that you have all kinds of room to change your mind. Your patience has been sorely tried ( Irma/Maria were vicious to you), so letting yourself have some time off-screech will be a good thing.

Re: New info of protocols for yachts?? [Re: sleepychef] #237352
10/18/2020 02:09 PM
10/18/2020 02:09 PM
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,266
Vero Beach, Fl and South Sound...
tpcook Offline OP
Traveler
tpcook  Offline OP
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 4,266
Vero Beach, Fl and South Sound...
I will wait and get one of the first vaccines and then come and go as I want. no covid test!


tpcook
Re: New info of protocols for yachts?? [Re: tpcook] #237359
10/18/2020 03:43 PM
10/18/2020 03:43 PM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,993
GA/NC
GeorgeC1 Offline
Traveler
GeorgeC1  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,993
GA/NC
I hope a vaccine is quickly available to all. It appears however that the two front runners have serious refrigeration requirements that will slow distribution. The first year it’s quite likely that only high risk individuals will get the vaccine.
G

Re: New info of protocols for yachts?? [Re: tpcook] #237385
10/18/2020 07:28 PM
10/18/2020 07:28 PM
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,040
Charlotte, NC
N
NCSailor Offline
Traveler
NCSailor  Offline
Traveler
N
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,040
Charlotte, NC
It seems unlikely that a vaccine will be widely available until late 2021 at best. The BVI and other tourism based islands need to find a way to reopen that makes sense for visitors or they just won't come down. The alternative is the destruction of the island economies. Buying medical equipment, up fitting some ICU units and contracting with medical personnel to handle any outbreaks would be cheaper than killing all tourist revenue.

Re: New info of protocols for yachts?? [Re: NCSailor] #237390
10/18/2020 11:00 PM
10/18/2020 11:00 PM
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 143
Folsom Lake, CA
L
Latadjust Offline
Traveler
Latadjust  Offline
Traveler
L
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 143
Folsom Lake, CA
Originally Posted by NCSailor
Buying medical equipment, up fitting some ICU units and contracting with medical personnel to handle any outbreaks would be cheaper than killing all tourist revenue.

Agreed, we work hard and save up for our trips to the BVI, we do go other places but we happily spend more per day in the BVI than anywhere else, and its worth it, the BVI government needs to step up and put reasonable policies in place, secure more ventilators and expand ICU capabilities and open up...the clock is ticking on the 2021 Spring season - sometimes the thought of a scary threat (virus) is much worse than the reality.

Re: New info of protocols for yachts?? [Re: tpcook] #237394
10/19/2020 06:50 AM
10/19/2020 06:50 AM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,993
GA/NC
GeorgeC1 Offline
Traveler
GeorgeC1  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,993
GA/NC
I hoped for a reopening for the 2021 season. I will be very surprised if that happens. The Covid numbers are going crazy in Europe and certainly not doing well in the US. The good news is mortality is way down but regardless I don’t see the BVI opening without a quarantine. The numbers may be better by Dec but it will be to late at that point. One change in policy in Europe is that they are showing very little interest in repeating the spring full lockdowns. They are however adding restrictions. Paris just went to a 9 PM curfew and the UK has a new program but not a full lockdown. It looks like they are trying to avoid the economic and personal devastation full lockdowns bring.

Last edited by GeorgeC1; 10/19/2020 06:55 AM.

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.6.1