TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Cane garden bay jet skis

Between the jet skis racing around the boat with passengers screaming and the 1,000 chairs on the beach, this place had lost its magic.

Getting rid of the jet skis would be a great start.

Any suggestions?

We have removed CGB off of our lists of stops and will spend two nights at Jost instead.

Check the schedule for the cruise ships and avoid that place when they are in port. As for the jet skis....I think we are stuck with those as they were "grandfathered in" and are legal at CGB and Leverick. However, I've watched the guys at Leverick from what I saw last year, they seem VERY responsible and courteous in regards to the mooring fields and other boats. Off topic but dealing with crowds...beware of the music fest going on at St Thomas and St John....they are scheduled to have a lot of the crowd at the Soggy Dollar today tomorrow http://www.lovecitycountrymusicfest.com/#!beach-party/c1afc

CGB can still be a good stop on the right day. We've stayed overnight a couple of times - got in towards the end of the day, had breakfast in the morning and visited the glass blowing shop - they have awesome stuff there. Well worth the stop for that alone in my opinion.

We're fans of the greenvi.org glass studio behind Myett's. Our guests get a kick out of it and have always picked something up. I have one of their pieces on my desk. In March they said they were open until the end July this year; we'll be back by.

Cheers, Rick

A jet ski smacked right into our boat at Cane Garden Bay last year. There's just no place for them in a mooring field IMO.

My wife and I just sailed into Cane Garden Bay at noon. The moring field was fine except for the jet skies. I told my wife as she came up to a ball to ignore the jet skies. They had to avoide us. Easier said than done. By 3 the cruise ship crowd and jet skies were gone. But until they left they were screaming by all boats in the field. And screeming their lungs out. But they are gone. . Looking forward to dinner and music at Myetts. Life is good

Clod's wife: Agree, jet skis a pain. The abundance of people and beach chairs goes away at 230 when they go back to cruise ship. Only happens one day a week. And then back to paradise!

Yeah...that's the big Norwegian Getaway crowd....

Paintball => BB => Shotgun
If at first you don't succeed, try again! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

I thought the Jetskies were supposed to be at idle only in the Mooring area and then only to transit.
G

"Supposed to be" is a relative term when it comes to the CGB jetskis. No one governs it. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/cloud.gif" alt="" />

The best thing to do is not try a find a day without cruise ships and stay away, you don't need the aggravation. As a charterer you're adding more money to the economy then 200 cruise ship passengers.
Tell Quito and Rhymers adios.

We are all settled in Little Harbour JVD, amazing breeze, incredible day snorkelling at Monkey point with a turtle, then beauty Sail over

So relaxing here in the cockpit...amazing salmon on the BBQ, ...tunes. Wow <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Grin.gif" alt="" />

Doing the JVD thingy tomorrow, bubbly pool,,Sandy ? Spit or Key not sure, in to great harbour to see the Fox, maybe hit White bay if not too crazy from the country concert folks.

Heading to Cane Garden tomorrow night....what up music wise on a Thursday ?

Can not wait to see you Bridget!!!!

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/circle.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/circle.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/circle.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Joy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Banana.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Banana.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Banana.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/band.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dance.gif" alt="" />

I'm not excited or anything....NAAAAAH..... <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Laugh.gif" alt="" />

I will text you when we're on the way from Beef -- should be 6:15-6:30ish...

We plan our itinerary to avoid the cruise ships. crowds. When the big ships are docked on Tortola we skip CGB.

crap... well it's been a few years since last trip... I never even thought about jetskis in the BVIs <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Sad.gif" alt="" />

Larry Henley owns those jetskis..he's the owner of Paradise Club but that is run by our pal Mac who has nothing to do with those dreaded skis. Larry was grandfathered in and told he could use the skis til they packed up..but he has renewed them over and over. The Henleys are pretty infuential..Tony has Tony's ( Stanleys) and Glenn has the waterspots and small market by Quito's..another brother was an immigration officer...hard to make them toe the line in other words. They bring them all the way down the north shore..really annoying. But they seem to only really do business when the cruise ships are in..so avoid the cruise ships and you pretty much avoid those fu$%ing skis..

Clod-
I hate the Jet Skis also and believe they have no place in CGB but I am curious as to why you said: "I told my wife as she came up to a ball to ignore the jet skies. They had to avoide us." That sounds dangerous to me.

rm3 - a 40' sailing vessel moving at one knot to half a knot is not going to maneuver to avoid a jet ski going full speed. The best thing that a skipper can do at that point is maintain a predictable speed and course.

There is a reason that the rules of the road require that a smaller, faster, more maneuverable vessel keep clear of a slower larger, less agile one.

Absolutely right. And as they come screaming through as you are trying to catch your mooring, harpoon them with your boat hook!

All true but the chances of a jet ski pilot being even remotely aware of rite-a-way rules are slim to none! In all of my time on the water (esp on waterski lakes) I've noticed that people are very reluctant to hand the keys to their boats to friends, or younger children, but have no problem letting them take their 60mph hard to control rocketcraft for a whirl!
<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Doh.gif" alt="" />

Many years ago, in one of my first charter experiences with a 40" sailboat on the Great Lakes, I encountered drunken jet skiers upon our return to port within the marina. I erroneously tried to avoid them, even though I was in a single screw vessel going about 1k and couldn't have hurt them if I hit them head on. It was the most awful experience I have ever had as a sailor. But I learned an important lesson. There is a legitimate reason for the Rules of the Road. To be sure, they must be broken when lives are at stake. But just as huge freighters on Lake Michigan had no obligation to try and maneuver around me as a novice sailor, the same logic applies in an anchorage where 40+" vessels are competing with jet skis that can turn on a dime. You must "stand on."

"There is a reason that the rules of the road require that a smaller, faster, more maneuverable vessel keep clear of a slower larger, less agile one. "

Could you please point out where in the Colregs it says this?

I'm not sure if this is a test question and you truly want someone to tell you "where" it is... but it is in the Colregs (with a loose interpretation involving "Responsibilities of vessels") AND ironically you are from Texas (as am I) where the law states "A PWC must maintain a distance of at least 50 feet from another boat or PWC, a person, a stationary platform, or a shoreline. The only exception is when the PWC is maintaining headway speed." I realize Texas law isn't the law outside Texas but there is a reason for that law....and CGB and the accident referenced above is a good example of why that law is in play in Texas.

Not trying to start a pissing match but don't want people to be misinformed. There is nothing in the colregs about smaller, faster power boat vs a large, slower power boat, maybe in the laws of physics, but not the colregs.

No pi$$ing match here....your opinion and interpretation....as I said...it is a "loose" interpretation....all is good! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Groovin.gif" alt="" />

The basic rules are that vessels that are more maneuverable must change course to avoid boats that are less maneuverable.

I do find it a little humorous that there would be a discussion on this. It would be like me trying to explain why I stayed my course leaving the harbor and was run over by a cruise ship. "But sir, the rules of the road stated I had the right of way..."

The most important and first rule of the road, don't collide!
G

<img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Rofl.gif" alt="" />

...he said to the man at the pearly gates.

Rule 9
Where are the rest of the licensed Merchant Mariner?

Rule 9 Only applies in channels and where vessels are constrained by draught to remain within that channel.

The only way to understand the rules is to read the original (here's a link http://www.sailtrain.co.uk/Irpcs/pdf/IRPCS.pdf ) not a Wikipedia or other interpretation of the rules.

I am completely with “tropicalfever” on this one. Anyone who operates a boat anywhere should be thoroughly familiar with the basics of the “Rules of the Road”. We don’t need to know day shapes, traffic separation schemes, or what the lights look like on a dredge not under command that is aground. There rules are many and complex but a simple understanding of the basics is necessary for everyone to have fun and be safe. I have provided some of the regulations and made some comments. My comments are in blue .

[color:"blue"]Here is a link to the “COLREGS” (International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea), otherwise known as the “Rules of the Road”. [color:"red"]COLREGS[/color] [/color] The COLREGS are the rules agreed to by most nations of the world. The International Rules apply everywhere unless specific rules have been created. The “Inland” section of the rules linked here pertain ONLY to certain designated waters of the US. These Inland rules do not apply anywhere else in the world. Each jurisdiction may create their own rules to be used in their own waters. I do not know if the BVI has established any of their own rules or if they use any special British rules. As a strictly anecdotal note, If an American operating a charter boat is involved in a collision with a BVI Belonger on a Jet Ski, it is highly likely the charter boat captain will be held at least partly responsible regardless of the circumstances that caused the collision.

It would be nice if each captain reviewed Rules 1-9 and 11-18 before operating a vessel anywhere. It would make them safer and allow every boater to have an enjoyable time.

COLREGS: Quoted sections may be only partial. Refer to the COLREGS.

Rule 3 -
(a) The word "vessel" includes every description of watercraft, including non-displacement craft, WIG craft, and seaplanes, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water.
[color:"blue"]Therefore, “vessel” means everything from a stand-up paddleboard to a supertanker.
[/color]
(g) The term "vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver" means a vessel which from the nature of her work is restricted in her ability to maneuver as required by these Rules and is therefore unable to keep out of the way of another vessel. The term "vessels restricted in their ability to maneuver" shall include but not be limited to:

(i) A vessel engaged in laying, servicing, or picking up a navigational mark, submarine cable or pipeline;
(ii) A vessel engaged in dredging, surveying or underwater operations;
(iii) A vessel engaged in replenishment or transferring persons, provisions or cargo while underway;
(iv) A vessel engaged in the launching or recovery of aircraft;
(v) A vessel engaged in mine clearance operations;
(vi) A vessel engaged in a towing operation such as severely restricts the towing vessel and her tow in their ability to deviate from their course.
[color:"blue"]The fact that a vessel is larger or less maneuverable does not give it any special privileges. The fact that it is doing a specialized type of work is what gives it privilege.
[/color]
Rule 3(h) (h) The term "vessel constrained by her draft" means a power-driven vessel which because of her draft in relation to the available depth and width of navigable water is severely restricted in her ability to deviate from the course she is following.
[color:"blue"]“Severely Restricted” are the key words here. It is expected that the vessel operator will attempt to follow a route that leaves more than one option to deviate if a risk of collision exists.[/color]

Rule 5 Lookout
Every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper look-out by sight and hearing as well as by all available means appropriate in the prevailing circumstances and conditions so as to make a full appraisal of the situation and of the risk of collision.[[color:"blue"]It has been established in some US court cases that a “proper lookout” cannot be maintained by the vessel operator alone. It may be wise to assign another crew member to perform lookout duties.[/color]

Rule 6 Safe Speed
Every vessel shall at all times proceed at a safe speed so that she can take proper and effective action to avoid collision and be stopped within a distance appropriate to the prevailing circumstances and conditions.
[color:"blue"]In my personal observation and opinion, many vessel operators go much too fast in harbors and anchorages. This rule mandates that you must operate slowly enough to avoid a collision in all circumstances. A Jet Ski violating the rules by going too fast does not give the operator of another vessel the right to go too fast also.
[/color]
Rule 7 - Risk of Collision
(a) Every vessel shall use all available means appropriate to the prevailing circumstances and conditions to determine if risk of collision exists. If there is any doubt, such risk shall be deemed to exist.

Rule 9 - Narrow Channels
(a) (i) A vessel proceeding along the course of a narrow channel or fairway shall keep as near to the outer limit of the channel or fairway which lies on her starboard side as is safe and practicable.
(b) A vessel of less than 20 meters in length or a sailing vessel shall not impede the passage of a vessel [ which | that ] can safely navigate only within a narrow channel or fairway.
[color:"blue"]Both a Jet Ski and the majority of the vessels in CGB are less than 20 meters in length so neither is granted any special privilege here. It is also rare to have a vessel strictly under sail in CGB although it does happen. In any event, if a Jet Ski breaks the rule and goes too fast and/or cuts in front of you or does some other dangerous thing, it does not absolve you of the responsibility to try to avoid a collision. I stand by my statement to Clod in his post that I think instructing the crew to “ignore the jet ski, they have to avoid us” is dangerous and in violation of the rules. 2 dangerous operator actions do not cancel each other out, they make things twice as dangerous.
[/color]

Yes Mike I agree but I assumed a cruise ship leaving harbor would be in a channel or fairway. I also agree you shouldn't rely on Wiki or interpretation of the rules. They are laid out pretty clear. http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/pdf/navRules/navrules.pdf
You are well respected around here. Would you care to comment on the rule about large boat vs small boat?

I'm not sure why this has become such a big discussion. Go try maneuvering a 40' boat in a busy mooring field and that boat is far more limited in where they can go than a 10' jet ski.

Not to mention that someone renting a jet ski isn't going to know much about the rules anyway nor should they be moving around a mooring field. But they should easily be able to avoid other boats.

What he said. ^^^^

You guys are taking the words of someone who is instructing someone who is presumably of somewhat limited helming experience that is made nervous by jet skis buzzing around all about her and turning them into something completely different. I'm fairly certain that Clod was not instructing anyone to simply run over an idling jet ski.

Can we let this one go? KISS keep it simple. This little topic that started out as a warning that jet skis in CGB can be annoying and dangerous doesn't need to be analyzed like the Zapruder film.

Ok, now I am really confused! What happens if Jimmy Buffet is landing his seaplane in CGB at the same time as a group of Jetskis veer into the path of a paddle board to avoid a local joy riding in a missing dinghy and everyone is converging on the mooring you want?
G

Grab a cold one at your favorite beach bar and enjoy the show. Surely there will be a need for witnesses. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Yikes.gif" alt="" />

ColRegs, are you guys serious? $50 and a drivers license gets 15 minutes of fun. I agree CGB is not the greatest venue for this, but I have enjoyed the pleasure of jet skiing many times. One thing no one has mentioned in 4 pages, it is just fun.