I very rarely post, but I saw something last night that has me worried. Are charter companies not checking sailing resumes any longer? Last night around sunset, a Navigare Lagoon 46 with 5 men came into Kelly Cove (Norman Island) and attempted to pick up a day mooring that isn't designed for overnight use. But instead of standing at the bow of the boat, they were on the stern steps trying to snag the line from the side. It looked like they had one line running from the stern cleat and then they initially tied it off to the starboard bow cleat. As they tried to figure out how the lines were supposed to go, they had the boat in gear with no one at the helm and it continued to spin around the ball for 10 - 15 minutes. Eventually, they got the starboard line corrected but the ball was still on the outside rather than between the hulls. Then they ran another line from the forward port cleat on the outside and tried to push it under the hull with the boat hook. Eventually, they got the ball in front of the boat but the lines were still on the outsides of the hulls. Finally, they attached the anchor bridle to the entire thing and went inside.

It's bad enough that Navigare put one of their own boats in danger. But if the wind had picked up, this boat could've come loose and done significant damage to the other boats nearby. It's my understanding that Navigare has way too many boats in their fleet and are now offering deep discounts to get them out on the water. Based on what I witnessed last night, it would appear that they don't care who they rent to either, as long as they're making money.

Here's a link to a video we captured...

[video:youtube]https://youtube.com/shorts/EHWUfRrgD90?si=NZAmXbCD__SH75gY[/video]

Unbelievable. We have witnessed more bad behavior (anchoring on coral, mooring issues, navigation issues, driving super fast in mooring fields) from Navigare boats over the past 3 years than any others. Extremely concerning. I suggest you send Navigare BVI the video.

Kelly's Cove is one of my favorites. Unfortunately, the couple of balls marking dive sites are very close by and become attractive to boaters perhaps believing they are part of the mooring field. Regardless, it appears the crew lacked the basic skills to operate the boat and secure an appropriate mooring ball. Did they stay overnight? I just wondered if the individual collecting mooring balls fees for the night advised them they were not on an overnight ball?

One night this week two power cats overnighted on yellow mooring balls on Diamond Reef; I got photos. The next morning I paddled out and told two guys on one boat that yellow balls are for professional dive boats. They said they had a professional captain who had been doing this for ten years and knew what he was doing.

Boat identified, I called the charter company to speak with the manager, who was lovely. They redline that area unless there is a professional captain. These guys had hired their own captain, whom I had seen grab the ball. All this company's boats have trackers, and she said she would follow up. That boat stayed until noon, so 18 hours on a yellow ball.

The other boat was leaving, so I didn't try to follow up. Hoping word gets out people are being watched.

There is so much entitlement out there……

But I am confused - redlined or not the yellow balls are not for overnight use. By anyone.

I believe the manager meant they aren't even allowed to anchor in that area unless there is a professional captain.That is another issue: anchoring too near the reef. I suspect some professional captains are more motivated by prospective tips than by protecting the reef, but I may be jaded.

Not jaded - spot on.

Following up on some of the questions and responses...

We saw someone stay overnight on one of the day moorings in Kelly Cove the last time we were here - about 2 months ago. That time, it looked like a personal boat and didn't appear that there was anyone on board. In that case, I wonder if they picked it because they knew they wouldn't be charged. On the Navigare boat last night, I suspect the men didn't know any better.

We said something to the guy who came to collect our mooring fee both times. He said there was nothing he could do but they would be facing a fine if caught. In the case of last night, I was even more concerned that a boat would go out without anyone on board who knew how to pick up a mooring ball. I wonder how the rest of their trip will go.

Also agreed on the anchoring of large yachts recently (80+ feet), and also very close to boats in mooring fields. Either people don't know any better or they don't seem to care.

It is amazing: charter a boat for $10k plus a week, but grab a yellow ball to avoid paying $45!

Yellow balls are dive balls with a 90 minute maximum like all NPS balls. Boats also often overnight on the NPS balls at Monkey point. The NPS balls are not a strong as the overnight balls.

Who are these doofuses!?

Beyond belief.

Thanks, Swifty, for the heads-up and the video.

Dan

That definitely seems unsafe and pretty careless of Navigare to rent boats out to folks who clearly don't know how to properly tie up. I'm with the others - I'd definitely send that video to Navigare BVI to make them aware. It's concerning to think they might be pushing too many rentals without ensuring people are properly trained.

It’s definitely worth informing Navigare. If that was our boat, I would definitely have a serious talk with our charter management company.

Reminds me of one of our trips last year when we observed a father/teenage son attempt to pickup a ball DOWNWIND in about 15kts on the small mono they chartered from Moorings. The poor kid kid on the bow clearly had zero experience, nor did the father at the helm. It took them three attempts but they finally got hooked up. I was about to dinghy over and give them some friendly guidance as we feared for the son’s safety, but they raced off to a late afternoon snorkel at the Caves!

The downwind pickup is used to showcase above average skills. It’s difficult to do correctly and puts you a cut above those who use the wind as a crutch for an easy pickup. It is best to executed in winds above 10 knots with lots of loudly shouted commands from the helm to show who is in charge and impress onlookers. If you really want to impress everyone combine the downwind pickup with lots of speed and slam the engine or engines into heavy reverse producing big clouds of black smoke! Extra points for rigging the bow lines after you grab the Mooring.

I always award The Boaters Badge of Merit if someone goes overboard during the process as well.

Probably their first real sailing trip after getting that two cereal box tops mail-in Captain’s Certificate.

Well, Boaty Ball is raffling off Navigare weeks to the highest bidder……

There is a private boat on the reef off Oil Nut Bay today.

How do you know it’s a Navigare charter boat? Does it have big letters somewhere, or logo on the main stack pack? Just curious

Big logo on hull (near bow) can’t miss it.

Navigare logo resembles a stylized star.

Lots of contenders for the Darwin Award!!

I once watched a guy in a power cat explode a ball at the Indians when he gunned it leaving and sucked the ball in the prop. Really loud bang and foam going everywhere. He never even slowed down let alone stop and access damage to the prop and out drive. There is a metal shank running through most balls.

We advised a salty skipper on approach to pickup at the Indians that they were trying to grab a decommissioned ball. I supposed he didn't like being questioned by some younger folks in front of his crew. He reversed up to the ball, a crew member jumped in the water while still in reverse, and they threw a loop knot around the ball (since the pennant was removed). Didn't stick around to see how they got off the ball. Wish I had gotten the thing on video. (not Navigare for the record)

Update - I did reach out to Navigare via email on Sunday. I shared my concerns and the video we captured. No response.

I'd be very worried if I was an owner of a yacht in their fleet.