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NEW VIDEO! BVI Reopening Full Charter Walkthrough #244071
01/04/2021 03:04 PM
01/04/2021 03:04 PM
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 16
British Virgin Islands
S
Sailing Orion Offline OP
Traveler
Sailing Orion  Offline OP
Traveler
S
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 16
British Virgin Islands
Hi Folks -- I just got back mid-december from an 8 day sailing charter in the BVIs. Went to Norman, VG, Dogs, Anegada, and Jost. Wanted to post a video on my whole experience in case it helps others:

VIDEO: BVI REOPENING! Sailing Charter DEC 2020

It's a bit long, but if you just want to see what the anchorages are like skip to 15:32. Hopefully it helps. Let me know what you think and if you have any questions or suggestions for updates. I am going again in mid-january with a large group. Will update again on how that goes.

Stay safe and happy new year!

-Sri

Last edited by Sailing Orion; 01/04/2021 03:05 PM.
BVI Sponsors
Re: NEW VIDEO! BVI Reopening Full Charter Walkthrough [Re: Sailing Orion] #244073
01/04/2021 04:08 PM
01/04/2021 04:08 PM
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 1,343
Washington DC
B
bailau Offline
Traveler
bailau  Offline
Traveler
B
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 1,343
Washington DC
that is really good...thanks for doing

Re: NEW VIDEO! BVI Reopening Full Charter Walkthrough [Re: Sailing Orion] #244074
01/04/2021 04:09 PM
01/04/2021 04:09 PM
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 105
New York, NY, USA
P
pk5352 Offline
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pk5352  Offline
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P
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 105
New York, NY, USA
Very helpful. Thanks for this!

Re: NEW VIDEO! BVI Reopening Full Charter Walkthrough [Re: Sailing Orion] #244078
01/04/2021 05:29 PM
01/04/2021 05:29 PM
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 27
S
Skindeep Offline
Traveler
Skindeep  Offline
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S
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 27
Awesome information Sri, thanks! We are in the DC area too, 6 of us heading down to charter out of St Thomas in late March, so I feel like I am approaching a go/no-go decision. We have 10 days so I REALLY want to do the BVI and not just USVI. Dying to get back to Anegada. Your experience in such great detail and images is tremendously helpful and reassuring. Just wondering how the Day 0 test will work if we are arriving via boat. Are there any other location options for checking in and doing the day 0 test - and it sounds like the 24 hour quarantine?

Re: NEW VIDEO! BVI Reopening Full Charter Walkthrough [Re: Skindeep] #244080
01/04/2021 05:37 PM
01/04/2021 05:37 PM
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359
Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
JasonHelmbrecht Offline
Traveler
JasonHelmbrecht  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359
Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
Originally Posted by Skindeep
Awesome information Sri, thanks! We are in the DC area too, 6 of us heading down to charter out of St Thomas in late March, so I feel like I am approaching a go/no-go decision. We have 10 days so I REALLY want to do the BVI and not just USVI. Dying to get back to Anegada. Your experience in such great detail and images is tremendously helpful and reassuring. Just wondering how the Day 0 test will work if we are arriving via boat. Are there any other location options for checking in and doing the day 0 test - and it sounds like the 24 hour quarantine?

I would not plan to be able to arrive the BVI by boat in late March. The ports are supposed to open January 21 but that will likely only be for ferries and I highly doubt that date will hold. I'd plan to charter from the BVI if that's where you want to cruise.

Alternatively, you could pay to have your boat delivered to the BVI and you could fly here to meet it.


JasonHelmbrecht
Coconut Breeze Villas
Cane Garden Bay
reservations@coconutbreezevillas.com
www.coconutbreezevillas.com
Re: NEW VIDEO! BVI Reopening Full Charter Walkthrough [Re: Sailing Orion] #244081
01/04/2021 05:51 PM
01/04/2021 05:51 PM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,993
GA/NC
GeorgeC1 Offline
Traveler
GeorgeC1  Offline
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,993
GA/NC
I am still trying to get a answer as to what is allowed the first 5 days. We’re you allowed to snorkle and dive?
G

Re: NEW VIDEO! BVI Reopening Full Charter Walkthrough [Re: JasonHelmbrecht] #244088
01/04/2021 07:03 PM
01/04/2021 07:03 PM
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,003
S
sail445 Offline
Traveler
sail445  Offline
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S
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,003
Originally Posted by JasonHelmbrecht
Originally Posted by Skindeep
Awesome information Sri, thanks! We are in the DC area too, 6 of us heading down to charter out of St Thomas in late March, so I feel like I am approaching a go/no-go decision. We have 10 days so I REALLY want to do the BVI and not just USVI. Dying to get back to Anegada. Your experience in such great detail and images is tremendously helpful and reassuring. Just wondering how the Day 0 test will work if we are arriving via boat. Are there any other location options for checking in and doing the day 0 test - and it sounds like the 24 hour quarantine?

I would not plan to be able to arrive the BVI by boat in late March. The ports are supposed to open January 21 but that will likely only be for ferries and I highly doubt that date will hold. I'd plan to charter from the BVI if that's where you want to cruise.

Alternatively, you could pay to have your boat delivered to the BVI and you could fly here to meet it.

I don’t know the rate they’d charge you to have a BVI captain bring your boat to the BVI from the USVI but they’re charging $3,000 to bring a boat from the BVI to Yacht haven Grande in Charlotte Amalie which is just a few hours sail.
It’s a real abuse of power by the government, but then it really doesn’t matter to them because ripping the tourists off is part of their historic agenda

Re: NEW VIDEO! BVI Reopening Full Charter Walkthrough [Re: Sailing Orion] #244096
01/04/2021 09:33 PM
01/04/2021 09:33 PM
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 160
Billings, MT
harleybuffett Offline
Traveler
harleybuffett  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 160
Billings, MT
Thank you so much for doing this. 6 of us have a charter in mid-April and are still trying to decide what to do. Your video included answers to many of the questions we have.

Re: NEW VIDEO! BVI Reopening Full Charter Walkthrough [Re: GeorgeC1] #244100
01/04/2021 10:22 PM
01/04/2021 10:22 PM
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 663
Vail, CO/St. Thomas, USVI
caribbeangirl13 Offline
Traveler
caribbeangirl13  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 663
Vail, CO/St. Thomas, USVI
George,

After a ton of research I think I finally understand the quarantine requirements...

You may now leave the dock whenever it is feasible for you to go...you do not need your Day 0 results to leave the dock.
If you do not have your Day 0 results you can only go to the following quarantine anchorages...

Benures Bay, Norman
Soldier Bay, Norman
South Bay, Peter
Spring Bay, Peter
White Bay, Peter
Little Harbor, Peter
Great Harbor, Peter
Deadman's Bay, Peter
Hallover Bay, Cooper

If you do have your Day 0 results you may go to any of the quarantine anchorages.

You may go ashore at all the quarantine anchorages except for Little Harbor, Great Harbor and Deadman's Bay on Peter Island. Although I think you have to wait until your Day 0 results are negative.

You can snorkel and swim but you are supposed to stay within 30 feet of your boat which seems odd if you can go ashore (assuming shore is much more than 30 feet from your boat).

Hope this helps. We will know more after our trip in less than 2 weeks!


Sue
s/v Ripple
Leopard 40

[Linked Image]
Re: NEW VIDEO! BVI Reopening Full Charter Walkthrough [Re: Sailing Orion] #244114
01/05/2021 07:14 AM
01/05/2021 07:14 AM
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 138
S
Shifty Offline
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Shifty  Offline
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S
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 138
Thanks so much for thinking of the gang! Although we are presently mid-way through a USVI-only charter and really loving it, we are certainly dialed in to developments across the $20,000 line and looking forward to a full reopening.

Shifty

Re: NEW VIDEO! BVI Reopening Full Charter Walkthrough [Re: Sailing Orion] #244118
01/05/2021 07:43 AM
01/05/2021 07:43 AM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,148
road town
sleepychef Offline
Traveler
sleepychef  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,148
road town
You must stay within 30' of your boat wether you are ashore or swimming

Re: NEW VIDEO! BVI Reopening Full Charter Walkthrough [Re: Sailing Orion] #244126
01/05/2021 08:45 AM
01/05/2021 08:45 AM
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,419
Bucks County, Pa.
toast Offline
Traveler
toast  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,419
Bucks County, Pa.
Excellent Video. Very helpful and glad you loved the BVI. VG is one of my all time favorites.


Toast.......to Life; White Bay...heaven on earth.
Diane
Re: NEW VIDEO! BVI Reopening Full Charter Walkthrough [Re: caribbeangirl13] #244138
01/05/2021 09:51 AM
01/05/2021 09:51 AM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,993
GA/NC
GeorgeC1 Offline
Traveler
GeorgeC1  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,993
GA/NC
Thanks Sue, I look forward to your trip report! I guess diving is going to be tough since most of my dives are deeper than 30 feet!

Last edited by GeorgeC1; 01/05/2021 09:51 AM.
Re: NEW VIDEO! BVI Reopening Full Charter Walkthrough [Re: sleepychef] #244139
01/05/2021 09:53 AM
01/05/2021 09:53 AM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,993
GA/NC
GeorgeC1 Offline
Traveler
GeorgeC1  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,993
GA/NC
Originally Posted by sleepychef
You must stay within 30' of your boat wether you are ashore or swimming


Well I guess that limits the places to go ashore by just a bit!

Re: NEW VIDEO! BVI Reopening Full Charter Walkthrough [Re: JasonHelmbrecht] #244140
01/05/2021 09:54 AM
01/05/2021 09:54 AM
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 27
S
Skindeep Offline
Traveler
Skindeep  Offline
Traveler
S
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 27
Jason, appreciate the input.....but....there is no exception to the no-go zone, even for boats intending to follow the required protocol and check in process? Why? I don't understand that. Is there a concern that the boat itself will bring in the virus from the USVI? Makes no sense. Maybe if this was bubonic plague.

So I already have the charter booked through VIYC out of St. Thomas and a deposit down. You're saying that even by late March, even though it sounds like vaccines are starting to make it to the BVI population, no boats at all will be able to cross from USVI and check in through any process?

Re: NEW VIDEO! BVI Reopening Full Charter Walkthrough [Re: Sailing Orion] #244144
01/05/2021 10:08 AM
01/05/2021 10:08 AM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,993
GA/NC
GeorgeC1 Offline
Traveler
GeorgeC1  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,993
GA/NC

Last edited by GeorgeC1; 01/05/2021 10:08 AM.
Re: NEW VIDEO! BVI Reopening Full Charter Walkthrough [Re: Skindeep] #244154
01/05/2021 10:32 AM
01/05/2021 10:32 AM
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359
Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
JasonHelmbrecht Offline
Traveler
JasonHelmbrecht  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359
Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
Originally Posted by Skindeep
Jason, appreciate the input.....but....there is no exception to the no-go zone, even for boats intending to follow the required protocol and check in process? Why? I don't understand that. Is there a concern that the boat itself will bring in the virus from the USVI? Makes no sense. Maybe if this was bubonic plague.

So I already have the charter booked through VIYC out of St. Thomas and a deposit down. You're saying that even by late March, even though it sounds like vaccines are starting to make it to the BVI population, no boats at all will be able to cross from USVI and check in through any process?

There is already rumor that the port opening is pushed to March 1, 2021 which is what I expected would happen. The government does not call me to explain their thought process so I'm only giving my opinion. My opinion on the topic is if the ports open for ferries on March 1, they will not be prepared with a set of protocols to manage private arrivals. With a ferry, you know how many people are arriving on each boat, what their names are, and whether or not they have been approved by the Health Ministry to enter. It will be the ferry's responsibility to check the BVI Gateway Approval to Travel information along with negative COVID results BEFORE they leave St Thomas. Opening for private boats means anyone can just show up at the dock and if they haven't been given approval to travel, an immigration official is potentially exposed to someone who hasn't been tested.

The BVI has suffered too much and been locked down too many days to take additional risk. Again, just my opinion. In 2020, we had 40 different curfew orders that created 276 days of curfew in the BVI. 30 of those days were 24 hour curfews that restricted everyone to their homes. There were 158 days of beach restrictions beyond the normal curfew hours and 45 days the beaches were entirely closed. Lots of people here already think the protocols are too loose and the government has quite a bit of support to keep the borders heavily restricted. To me, the 2021 season is already shot so not much reason to assume more risk.


JasonHelmbrecht
Coconut Breeze Villas
Cane Garden Bay
reservations@coconutbreezevillas.com
www.coconutbreezevillas.com
Re: NEW VIDEO! BVI Reopening Full Charter Walkthrough [Re: Sailing Orion] #244155
01/05/2021 10:54 AM
01/05/2021 10:54 AM
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,647
Memphis, BVI, CT
R
RatmansWife Offline
Traveler
RatmansWife  Offline
Traveler
R
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,647
Memphis, BVI, CT
For many months I have been saying it wasn't clear how ferry arrivals would be handled. The government has struggled to implement the protocols with only airport arrivals and the portal still has kinks. Everyone from whom I have heard has still had to go to Sea Cow's Bay for follow-up testing, despite promises of testing locations around the territory.

Bottom line: the government can't handle any more than they are now doing.

Re: NEW VIDEO! BVI Reopening Full Charter Walkthrough [Re: JasonHelmbrecht] #244169
01/05/2021 11:51 AM
01/05/2021 11:51 AM
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 27
S
Skindeep Offline
Traveler
Skindeep  Offline
Traveler
S
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 27
Originally Posted by JasonHelmbrecht
Originally Posted by Skindeep
Jason, appreciate the input.....but....there is no exception to the no-go zone, even for boats intending to follow the required protocol and check in process? Why? I don't understand that. Is there a concern that the boat itself will bring in the virus from the USVI? Makes no sense. Maybe if this was bubonic plague.

So I already have the charter booked through VIYC out of St. Thomas and a deposit down. You're saying that even by late March, even though it sounds like vaccines are starting to make it to the BVI population, no boats at all will be able to cross from USVI and check in through any process?

There is already rumor that the port opening is pushed to March 1, 2021 which is what I expected would happen. The government does not call me to explain their thought process so I'm only giving my opinion. My opinion on the topic is if the ports open for ferries on March 1, they will not be prepared with a set of protocols to manage private arrivals. With a ferry, you know how many people are arriving on each boat, what their names are, and whether or not they have been approved by the Health Ministry to enter. It will be the ferry's responsibility to check the BVI Gateway Approval to Travel information along with negative COVID results BEFORE they leave St Thomas. Opening for private boats means anyone can just show up at the dock and if they haven't been given approval to travel, an immigration official is potentially exposed to someone who hasn't been tested.

The BVI has suffered too much and been locked down too many days to take additional risk. Again, just my opinion. In 2020, we had 40 different curfew orders that created 276 days of curfew in the BVI. 30 of those days were 24 hour curfews that restricted everyone to their homes. There were 158 days of beach restrictions beyond the normal curfew hours and 45 days the beaches were entirely closed. Lots of people here already think the protocols are too loose and the government has quite a bit of support to keep the borders heavily restricted. To me, the 2021 season is already shot so not much reason to assume more risk.

Jason, thanks - really appreciate the knowledge sharing, even if it is not what I was hoping to hear!

Re: NEW VIDEO! BVI Reopening Full Charter Walkthrough [Re: Sailing Orion] #244170
01/05/2021 11:52 AM
01/05/2021 11:52 AM
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,557
Toronto, Ontario
gordaguy2 Offline
Traveler
gordaguy2  Offline
Traveler
Traveler
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,557
Toronto, Ontario
Great video - thanks for posting


GordaGuy2
Re: NEW VIDEO! BVI Reopening Full Charter Walkthrough [Re: Sailing Orion] #244171
01/05/2021 12:02 PM
01/05/2021 12:02 PM
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359
Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
JasonHelmbrecht Offline
Traveler
JasonHelmbrecht  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359
Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
Sri - your video was great! Nice job...


JasonHelmbrecht
Coconut Breeze Villas
Cane Garden Bay
reservations@coconutbreezevillas.com
www.coconutbreezevillas.com
Re: NEW VIDEO! BVI Reopening Full Charter Walkthrough [Re: GeorgeC1] #244175
01/05/2021 12:23 PM
01/05/2021 12:23 PM
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 663
Vail, CO/St. Thomas, USVI
caribbeangirl13 Offline
Traveler
caribbeangirl13  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 663
Vail, CO/St. Thomas, USVI
Originally Posted by GeorgeC1
Thanks Sue, I look forward to your trip report! I guess diving is going to be tough since most of my dives are deeper than 30 feet!



When we get our bracelets or whatever tracking device they give us, I'll ask about the 30ft and going snorkeling, diving or ashore. Frankly I'm surprised they are letting you go ashore.


Sue
s/v Ripple
Leopard 40

[Linked Image]
Re: NEW VIDEO! BVI Reopening Full Charter Walkthrough [Re: JasonHelmbrecht] #244204
01/05/2021 04:38 PM
01/05/2021 04:38 PM
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,675
An island state of mind
tradewinds Offline
Traveler
tradewinds  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,675
An island state of mind
March 1st is official.

Re: NEW VIDEO! BVI Reopening Full Charter Walkthrough [Re: JasonHelmbrecht] #244205
01/05/2021 05:05 PM
01/05/2021 05:05 PM
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39
Road Town
BVIslander Offline
Traveler
BVIslander  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 39
Road Town
Originally Posted by JasonHelmbrecht
Originally Posted by Skindeep
Awesome information Sri, thanks! We are in the DC area too, 6 of us heading down to charter out of St Thomas in late March, so I feel like I am approaching a go/no-go decision. We have 10 days so I REALLY want to do the BVI and not just USVI. Dying to get back to Anegada. Your experience in such great detail and images is tremendously helpful and reassuring. Just wondering how the Day 0 test will work if we are arriving via boat. Are there any other location options for checking in and doing the day 0 test - and it sounds like the 24 hour quarantine?

I would not plan to be able to arrive the BVI by boat in late March. The ports are supposed to open January 21 but that will likely only be for ferries and I highly doubt that date will hold. I'd plan to charter from the BVI if that's where you want to cruise.

Alternatively, you could pay to have your boat delivered to the BVI and you could fly here to meet it.


Just came out this afternoon, a Press Release noting that the BVI seaports and ferries will not be open prior to at least the first of March, 2021.

Re: NEW VIDEO! BVI Reopening Full Charter Walkthrough [Re: Sailing Orion] #244206
01/05/2021 05:11 PM
01/05/2021 05:11 PM
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 979
Northern Virginia
ecm56 Offline
Traveler
ecm56  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 979
Northern Virginia
BVI News Article - Port reopening delayed

The text of the ports authority announcement is on their Facebook page but not yet on their publicly facing internet site.


Last edited by ecm56; 01/05/2021 05:12 PM.
Re: NEW VIDEO! BVI Reopening Full Charter Walkthrough [Re: Sailing Orion] #244211
01/05/2021 05:55 PM
01/05/2021 05:55 PM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,993
GA/NC
GeorgeC1 Offline
Traveler
GeorgeC1  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,993
GA/NC
Are the ports truly closed? How are goods getting into the BVI?

Re: NEW VIDEO! BVI Reopening Full Charter Walkthrough [Re: Sailing Orion] #244212
01/05/2021 05:56 PM
01/05/2021 05:56 PM
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,647
Memphis, BVI, CT
R
RatmansWife Offline
Traveler
RatmansWife  Offline
Traveler
R
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,647
Memphis, BVI, CT
Closed to passenger traffic.

Re: NEW VIDEO! BVI Reopening Full Charter Walkthrough [Re: RatmansWife] #244214
01/05/2021 06:08 PM
01/05/2021 06:08 PM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,993
GA/NC
GeorgeC1 Offline
Traveler
GeorgeC1  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,993
GA/NC
So how do they handle crew members on the freighters. It seems like there has to be some interaction as cargo is offloaded. My boat was supposed to arrive today by freighter is the reason I am asking.
G

Re: NEW VIDEO! BVI Reopening Full Charter Walkthrough [Re: Sailing Orion] #244219
01/05/2021 06:43 PM
01/05/2021 06:43 PM
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,647
Memphis, BVI, CT
R
RatmansWife Offline
Traveler
RatmansWife  Offline
Traveler
R
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 1,647
Memphis, BVI, CT
Where is the boat coming from? I have seen them crane them off into the water.

Re: NEW VIDEO! BVI Reopening Full Charter Walkthrough [Re: Sailing Orion] #244232
01/05/2021 08:32 PM
01/05/2021 08:32 PM
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 600
Eastern NC, N Topsail Beach
S
SXMFOX Offline
Traveler
SXMFOX  Offline
Traveler
S
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 600
Eastern NC, N Topsail Beach
Super COOL! Thanks for posting this very informative video Sri!

Re: NEW VIDEO! BVI Reopening Full Charter Walkthrough [Re: RatmansWife] #244234
01/05/2021 08:43 PM
01/05/2021 08:43 PM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,993
GA/NC
GeorgeC1 Offline
Traveler
GeorgeC1  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 6,993
GA/NC
The boat is coming from Capetown. Should be on a ship with about 30 other sailboats. Might be a float on float off freighter.
G

Re: NEW VIDEO! BVI Reopening Full Charter Walkthrough [Re: GeorgeC1] #244235
01/05/2021 08:54 PM
01/05/2021 08:54 PM
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,003
S
sail445 Offline
Traveler
sail445  Offline
Traveler
S
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,003
Originally Posted by GeorgeC1
The boat is coming from Capetown. Should be on a ship with about 30 other sailboats. Might be a float on float off freighter.
G

Call your boat company and ask them to ship your Boat to St Thomas instead of the BVI
The BVI will take your boat for a simple $3,000 fee to St Thomas

Re: NEW VIDEO! BVI Reopening Full Charter Walkthrough [Re: sail445] #244250
01/06/2021 08:22 AM
01/06/2021 08:22 AM
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359
Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
JasonHelmbrecht Offline
Traveler
JasonHelmbrecht  Offline
Traveler
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359
Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
Originally Posted by sail445
Originally Posted by GeorgeC1
The boat is coming from Capetown. Should be on a ship with about 30 other sailboats. Might be a float on float off freighter.
G

Call your boat company and ask them to ship your Boat to St Thomas instead of the BVI
The BVI will take your boat for a simple $3,000 fee to St Thomas

I believe it is closer to $700.


JasonHelmbrecht
Coconut Breeze Villas
Cane Garden Bay
reservations@coconutbreezevillas.com
www.coconutbreezevillas.com
Re: NEW VIDEO! BVI Reopening Full Charter Walkthrough [Re: JasonHelmbrecht] #244309
01/06/2021 01:58 PM
01/06/2021 01:58 PM
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,003
S
sail445 Offline
Traveler
sail445  Offline
Traveler
S
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 3,003
Originally Posted by JasonHelmbrecht
Originally Posted by sail445
Originally Posted by GeorgeC1
The boat is coming from Capetown. Should be on a ship with about 30 other sailboats. Might be a float on float off freighter.
G

Call your boat company and ask them to ship your Boat to St Thomas instead of the BVI
The BVI will take your boat for a simple $3,000 fee to St Thomas

I believe it is closer to $700.

Originally Posted by JasonHelmbrecht
Originally Posted by sail445
Originally Posted by GeorgeC1
The boat is coming from Capetown. Should be on a ship with about 30 other sailboats. Might be a float on float off freighter.
G

Call your boat company and ask them to ship your Boat to St Thomas instead of the BVI
The BVI will take your boat for a simple $3,000 fee to St Thomas

I believe it is closer to $700.

Actually it’s $3,000 I have friends that are delivering cats from the the BVI to othe parts of the Caribbean and states, They’re not permitted to pick up the boats in the BVI and must pay an “Officialy” approved Belonger to deliver the boats to Yacht Haven Grande at a cost of $3,000 per boat.

Re: NEW VIDEO! BVI Reopening Full Charter Walkthrough [Re: Skindeep] #244331
01/06/2021 05:38 PM
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Originally Posted by Skindeep
Awesome information Sri, thanks! We are in the DC area too, 6 of us heading down to charter out of St Thomas in late March, so I feel like I am approaching a go/no-go decision. We have 10 days so I REALLY want to do the BVI and not just USVI. Dying to get back to Anegada. Your experience in such great detail and images is tremendously helpful and reassuring. Just wondering how the Day 0 test will work if we are arriving via boat. Are there any other location options for checking in and doing the day 0 test - and it sounds like the 24 hour quarantine?


Officially I don't know of any others outside of the Airport. It's really the transportation to and from they are trying to control. TMM says that when the sea traffic reopens they will try to do testing on the docks or setup similar to how I showed Nanny Cay. Hopefully see you out there. I am headed back to BVI on 1/16 for 14 days with my whole family :-)

Re: NEW VIDEO! BVI Reopening Full Charter Walkthrough [Re: caribbeangirl13] #244332
01/06/2021 05:39 PM
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Originally Posted by caribbeangirl13
Originally Posted by GeorgeC1
Thanks Sue, I look forward to your trip report! I guess diving is going to be tough since most of my dives are deeper than 30 feet!



When we get our bracelets or whatever tracking device they give us, I'll ask about the 30ft and going snorkeling, diving or ashore. Frankly I'm surprised they are letting you go ashore.


Yes you can Snorkel and Dive as long as it is in the pre-approved quarantine locations. There is a loose requirement of 30 feet around vessel, but even in front of authorities as long as you are in the pre-approved Day 4 site you can do water activities. We had no problems. However you couldn't for instance anchor at Benures and then go over to Indians to dive the first 4 days.

Re: NEW VIDEO! BVI Reopening Full Charter Walkthrough [Re: caribbeangirl13] #244333
01/06/2021 05:50 PM
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Originally Posted by caribbeangirl13
George,

After a ton of research I think I finally understand the quarantine requirements...

You may now leave the dock whenever it is feasible for you to go...you do not need your Day 0 results to leave the dock.
If you do not have your Day 0 results you can only go to the following quarantine anchorages...

Benures Bay, Norman
Soldier Bay, Norman
South Bay, Peter
Spring Bay, Peter
White Bay, Peter
Little Harbor, Peter
Great Harbor, Peter
Deadman's Bay, Peter
Hallover Bay, Cooper

If you do have your Day 0 results you may go to any of the quarantine anchorages.

You may go ashore at all the quarantine anchorages except for Little Harbor, Great Harbor and Deadman's Bay on Peter Island. Although I think you have to wait until your Day 0 results are negative.

You can snorkel and swim but you are supposed to stay within 30 feet of your boat which seems odd if you can go ashore (assuming shore is much more than 30 feet from your boat).

Hope this helps. We will know more after our trip in less than 2 weeks!


Hi Sue -- You are right on the Day 0 you can go to any of the anchorages in the Day 0 on the map I show in the video at minute 15:17

https://youtu.be/yEVgwCf-1ZU?t=917

I'll be there from 1/14-1/28 as well hopefully see you out there!

Re: NEW VIDEO! BVI Reopening Full Charter Walkthrough [Re: sail445] #244334
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Originally Posted by sail445
Originally Posted by JasonHelmbrecht
Originally Posted by sail445
Originally Posted by GeorgeC1
The boat is coming from Capetown. Should be on a ship with about 30 other sailboats. Might be a float on float off freighter.
G

Call your boat company and ask them to ship your Boat to St Thomas instead of the BVI
The BVI will take your boat for a simple $3,000 fee to St Thomas

I believe it is closer to $700.

Originally Posted by JasonHelmbrecht
Originally Posted by sail445
Originally Posted by GeorgeC1
The boat is coming from Capetown. Should be on a ship with about 30 other sailboats. Might be a float on float off freighter.
G

Call your boat company and ask them to ship your Boat to St Thomas instead of the BVI
The BVI will take your boat for a simple $3,000 fee to St Thomas

I believe it is closer to $700.

Actually it’s $3,000 I have friends that are delivering cats from the the BVI to othe parts of the Caribbean and states, They’re not permitted to pick up the boats in the BVI and must pay an “Officialy” approved Belonger to deliver the boats to Yacht Haven Grande at a cost of $3,000 per boat.



I have done this with my catamaran a couple times in the last few months. They deliver it from TMM in Road Reef to American Yacht Harbor, St. Thomas and it is usually from $1000-$1200 each way.

Re: NEW VIDEO! BVI Reopening Full Charter Walkthrough [Re: caribbeangirl13] #244335
01/06/2021 05:55 PM
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Originally Posted by caribbeangirl13
Originally Posted by GeorgeC1
Thanks Sue, I look forward to your trip report! I guess diving is going to be tough since most of my dives are deeper than 30 feet!



When we get our bracelets or whatever tracking device they give us, I'll ask about the 30ft and going snorkeling, diving or ashore. Frankly I'm surprised they are letting you go ashore.


On my trip it seemed like they were fine with us doing water activities and beach as long as within quarantine site. Though this was very early in the re-opening and possibly even authorities were still figuring out the rules. The new tracking system is the phone app, which I hear just like the bracelet also does not work.

Re: NEW VIDEO! BVI Reopening Full Charter Walkthrough [Re: BVIslander] #244336
01/06/2021 05:57 PM
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Originally Posted by BVIslander
Originally Posted by JasonHelmbrecht
Originally Posted by Skindeep
Awesome information Sri, thanks! We are in the DC area too, 6 of us heading down to charter out of St Thomas in late March, so I feel like I am approaching a go/no-go decision. We have 10 days so I REALLY want to do the BVI and not just USVI. Dying to get back to Anegada. Your experience in such great detail and images is tremendously helpful and reassuring. Just wondering how the Day 0 test will work if we are arriving via boat. Are there any other location options for checking in and doing the day 0 test - and it sounds like the 24 hour quarantine?

I would not plan to be able to arrive the BVI by boat in late March. The ports are supposed to open January 21 but that will likely only be for ferries and I highly doubt that date will hold. I'd plan to charter from the BVI if that's where you want to cruise.

Alternatively, you could pay to have your boat delivered to the BVI and you could fly here to meet it.


Just came out this afternoon, a Press Release noting that the BVI seaports and ferries will not be open prior to at least the first of March, 2021.


Man they are really shooting themselves in the foot. I had a bear of a time booking my JetBlue flight to BVI this January. Spent 4 hours on the phone as the online booking for those flights seem to be disabled. The other airlines are all $1000+ roundtrip. Really need to start the ferries BVI.

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