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Re: Yacht Cruisers Speak!
[Re: ndfaninnc]
#250207
03/16/2021 01:04 PM
03/16/2021 01:04 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,953 St. John, USVI
RickG
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,953
St. John, USVI
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Well, the BVIs, Trinidad & Tobago, and Jamaica are the only English speaking Caribbean countries, along with the French Caribbean countries, that still have their sea ports closed. I can tell you that there is a lot of resentment in the USVIs towards the yacht seizures, lack of safe passage, and spiraling fees for entry. The last time we took our private boat to the BVIs in February 2020 I needed a score card to understand all the fees. Returning to the USVI we pay no fees and check in with an app.
I can see Norman Island from my home anchorage. We'll visit again when the ports are open and quarantine is not required.
Cheers, RickG
S/V Echoes, 2003 Beneteau 423 Grenada
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Re: Yacht Cruisers Speak!
[Re: ndfaninnc]
#250221
03/16/2021 02:36 PM
03/16/2021 02:36 PM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 795 Kannapolis, NC
ndfaninnc
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Kannapolis, NC
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"I think that the sentiments expressed on the page in that link are just the tip of iceberg and, as usual, reading the comments is true entertainment".
Zanshin, The comments are entertaining. But also appear split about whether they appreciate our business or not. I have actually encountered that while there. I realize one person does not make a whole island. I can ignore most attitudes. But it does make you think.
Go Irish!!
Bill
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Re: Yacht Cruisers Speak!
[Re: ndfaninnc]
#250287
03/17/2021 09:27 AM
03/17/2021 09:27 AM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,953 St. John, USVI
RickG
Traveler
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,953
St. John, USVI
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Re-reading the original Facebook post and the BVI News article and comments I see something concerning that we are also seeing in the USVIs - West Indians that are refusing the vaccine due to lack of trust or an outright belief that the vaccine can harm you. The USVIs are now vaccinating anyone who will be around for the second vaccine due to lower than expected demand. I worry about the health of those who refuse the vaccine and those vaccinated people who could be infected.
The biggest theme in the cited articles is the poor performance of the Customs & Immigration officers. We have always gotten polite service at Jost Van Dyke, our go to. Our February 2020 check in in Road Town had very busy and polite officers who gave a spot to wait while they checked in two ferries. We won't check in there again. Spanish Town is fine without a ferry from the USVI, chaotic when the ferry is there. West End? That is a mess. I've seen them force a boat to tie up to the wharf for inspection that had sailed direct from Grenada, lost their engine, no sleep for days. They were in tears. Too many stories to recount. I just make certain I go in by myself so no one else's day is ruined.
I'm happier to visit the BVIs after the ports open than my Sweet Christine. She holds a grudge and feeds it. If we can enter the BVIs in May on the way to Grenada and they are part of the CARICOM low risk bubble (suspended for now) I would consider sailing the BVIs for the 21 days necessary to get now quarantine access to the CARICOM islands. Dominica has the shortest quarantine at 5+1 days. Every island nations is different and keeping track of protocols is a lot of work. Noonsite.com is doing a good job.
Cheers, RickG
S/V Echoes, 2003 Beneteau 423 Grenada
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Re: Yacht Cruisers Speak!
[Re: RickG]
#250293
03/17/2021 10:32 AM
03/17/2021 10:32 AM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,852 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
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Posts: 82,852
Central Florida!
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Rick--I think that is a theme throughout the Caribbean--many local peoples are actively afraid of the vaccine, with the wildest rumors going around. That is very concerning with regard to their long term safety.
My personal feeling is that the USVI will see a long term gain from Covid, and the BVI, very much the opposite.
Carol Hill
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Re: Yacht Cruisers Speak!
[Re: Breeze]
#250322
03/17/2021 03:22 PM
03/17/2021 03:22 PM
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,359 Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
JasonHelmbrecht
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Cane Garden Bay, Tortola
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The BVI government is going to have to address whether tourism is going to be their only economy, and whether expecting tourism fees and taxes, and discretionary spending to carry their entire GDP is a viable long term economic policy. BVI voters choose the people to make those national decisions. Again, the BVI voters choose their own government. Not only is tourism not the only economy, it's not even the largest percentage of GDP. The financial industry is larger than tourism for $$$; last number I heard was 60%. I think tourism might have a slightly larger employee base than the financial industry.
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Re: Yacht Cruisers Speak!
[Re: JasonHelmbrecht]
#250323
03/17/2021 03:28 PM
03/17/2021 03:28 PM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 795 Kannapolis, NC
ndfaninnc
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Kannapolis, NC
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The BVI government is going to have to address whether tourism is going to be their only economy, and whether expecting tourism fees and taxes, and discretionary spending to carry their entire GDP is a viable long term economic policy. BVI voters choose the people to make those national decisions. Again, the BVI voters choose their own government. Not only is tourism not the only economy, it's not even the largest percentage of GDP. The financial industry is larger than tourism for $$$; last number I heard was 60%. I think tourism might have a slightly larger employee base than the financial industry. Jason, I read shortly after the hurricanes that many of the financial institutions we considering not coming back to Tortola. I have not followed up on that. Did they return? Do they employ many islanders?
Go Irish!!
Bill
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Re: Yacht Cruisers Speak!
[Re: ndfaninnc]
#250371
03/18/2021 08:45 AM
03/18/2021 08:45 AM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,953 St. John, USVI
RickG
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,953
St. John, USVI
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SVG and Grenada are seeing high uptake among the generational West Indian residents. I have not heard about St. Lucia. The islands handling COVID protocols better are going to see a boost in yacht services short term. Grenada's MAYAG yacht association created and ran a protocol in 2020 that saw thousands of cruisers and term charter boats visit for their hurricane season and maintenance. Yacht services were busy and yards were full. We booked our August haulout in Grenada in November and they yard was nearly full for the summer. This is work that I would normally have done at Nanny Cay or Marina del Rey. With much lower pricing, cheap AirBnB, $400 US monthly rental car Grenada is looking like a good long-term option. The USVIs lack the infrastructure to handle the level of hull maintenance needed for large charter fleets.
Cheers, RickG
S/V Echoes, 2003 Beneteau 423 Grenada
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Re: Yacht Cruisers Speak!
[Re: ndfaninnc]
#250397
03/18/2021 11:26 AM
03/18/2021 11:26 AM
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,390 Ill, USA
Will_L
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Traveler
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,390
Ill, USA
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I suspect the bvi will suffer greatly in terms of revenue again this year. The health Minister talked again recently about a "vaccine passport" allowing vaccinated visitors to skip some protocols when enough of the local population is vaccinated as well. As others said I suspect they will have a large number opting out . I have a good friend who mention that a number of the C and I people that work at entries have elected not to take a shot. That won't help .
The government as it often it seems to be flying by the seat of their pants from paper accounts. Not sure when elections are but seem to be a lot of politics being at the head of list. There is an unusual spate of violence following a couple of huge drug busts, there is a panel of inquiry from UK investigating government corruption. As mentioned there is a crackdown in both Europe and US on off shore accounts. All of which I suspect has led to lack of attention on a plan to open.
Yes, some who say they will never come back won't. My friend says this year is shot on the tourist side. But once open I would wager there will be a quick return of sailors and land based travelers. Others will find their favorite haunts but I will almost guarantee that many will find it to be the bvi . I know I am looking forward to sinking my toes in the sand while shoulder deep in Savannah Bay w a Caribe in my hand.
As long as it is safe and it is open, they will come .
Last edited by Will_L; 03/18/2021 02:45 PM.
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Re: Yacht Cruisers Speak!
[Re: ndfaninnc]
#250398
03/18/2021 11:30 AM
03/18/2021 11:30 AM
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 795 Kannapolis, NC
ndfaninnc
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Traveler
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Posts: 795
Kannapolis, NC
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BVI NewsApparently the government doesn't like the comments below news article. Detrimental to BVI reputation. And the comments below that one are even funnier!
Go Irish!!
Bill
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