BVI will open to tourists VERY soon

That's about all I know. Keep tune. Announcement Monday 3-5 PM

Based on what information? And what's your definition of "very soon"??

It was a quote from the Premier in a speech this afternoon.

Here is an article that give the quote without have to listen to the whole speech.

I saw a post on one of the new BVI facebook groups created recently that there is talk of an announcement Monday between 3-5 by the Government. The new group is BVI Alive.
Fingers crossed its good news and the requirements are obtainable. I fear short test time results as that is not possible in all areas ...yet .

And I will be very slim very soon. Well, maybe not tomorrow.

What does rebranding the port authority have to do with attracting tourists? Cruise ships, visiting yachts? We shall see.

Sometimes speculation reminds me of percolation, and I begin to hear " chock full of nuts" coffee commercials from many decades ago.

When will I be loved?

I always thought that rebranding the Port Authority was our #1 priority right now. And an anchor is the right symbol..stuck in one place and not moving!

Will be announced MOnday 3-5 PM

Reopening = Soon Come

Fingers crossed the announcement is good news. 🙏

So my 10 November trip is not dead yet!

https://youtu.be/KX5jNnDMfxA

LOL...great pull George....

I hope so I can get my Moorings credit and use it...

Dare I hope???
Our catamaran group is not willing to risk the trip so hopefully we can work with BVIYC to reschedule that one.....but Brian and I will be sailing Arun, a Beneteau 38, from 11/10-11/21 — stop on by for a cold one if you see us!

Should we throw caution to the wind and resurrect a Boaty Ball discussion???

A laugh for Saturday....
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8alNxLjCBJc

Boaty ball is always fun to discuss.

Rebranding the port authority? More like income enhancing. We went from $15 to $85 in one year to check in two people on a private boat the BVIs for a single day. It will be interesting to see how they'll beat the golden goose further.

I am so hopeful that there is a cruising season in the BVIs this Winter. We can see Norman Island whenever we go for a day sail. I would so love to check in via SailClear and pop over for lunch. ROAM check in on the way back to St. John. If it's easier to check in than cheat than everyone will check in.

Cheers, RickG

When do you guys head back, Rick?

Thanks for sharing....lol....

Just heard that word on the street says November 15 - anyone else hear that?

Haven't heard anything, but last night we bought tickets for Dec. 14. Plan is to stay for several months, to avoid Covid testing for multiple trips. If they make us pay $$$$ for quarantine security, we'll cancel. Loose Mongoose confirmed they're selling gas, which is great; hoping it's better and cheaper than Marina Cay.

Are you saying Loose Mongoose has a fuel dock?

November 15th would be amazing if true. I start my charter with CYOA on November 15th and we would plan to hit BVI on the 16th. Fingers crossed.

They must be close to opening the islands - just got notice that they are closing the VG airport for a few days in mid November for annual maintenance - wouldn't want to do the maintenance while the island is closed so it must be opening up. LOL

Yes, Loose Mongoose has a fuel dock. We figured they would, as they run the Anegada ferries. The new channel ends at their dock.

Had brunch at the Loose Mongoose yesterday and I think it will become a charter guests favorite stop. In addition to the huge restaurant, they have beach seating, a rum bar, a traditional cafe, and a nice gift shop. Food has been very good both times I've eaten there.

They built 2 very substantial docks. One is a straight pier with the fuel pumps at the end and one is an L-Shaped dock with nice protected space on the inside of the L for dinghies.

Oh that sounds great, Jason!

Nice!

Also going to pave the entire runway and widen it. Now small jets and turboprops can come in.

Are they eliminating the crosswinds, too?

It’s to short for Jets and most turboprops. They will need to lengthen it and knock down obstacles in the departure corridor. The new Cape Air aircraft will probably do quite well there!
G

I have seen some personal jets that should be fine. pc-24

It might be able to operate there with 2 passengers and fuel to get to STT. You would also be operating without a balanced field capability. That means a engine failure at the wrong point would not allow the aircraft to stop on the runway or fly. Legal for private flights but not part 121 airline operations. Here is what the manufacturer says. Note that Virgin Garda is 2500 feet long and the distances quoted assume no obstacles in the departure corridor.

There are around 10,650 airports in the world that you can access with an aircraft able to operate on runways with a length of 3,130 feet (954 m). There are an additional 880 airports that become available when your aircraft needs only 2,930 feet (893 m). Of course, in both cases these runways will have to be paved.

Now let’s look at the number of runways around the world that offer a length of at least 2,930 feet (893 m) but feature unpaved surfaces – like grass or gravel. The number is almost 20,000! So with the PC-24, you will have access to almost 100 % more airports around the world. That means you can fly closer to your final destination than with any other business jet. You’ll be able to use smaller airports and avoid massive administrative procedures, and reduce ground transfer time to an absolute minimum.

Here is a pilot report on the Tecnam. It should be able to make SJU and fill all the seats.

The contrast between old and new at Tecnam became apparent as soon as I strapped into the P2012’s cockpit with chief test pilot Lorenzo De Stefano, a former Italian air force pilot, and we began taxiing toward the runway. “Should we really be doing this?” was the question that came to mind as we rolled off the paved taxiway that leads from the factory to the “runway”—in reality a muddy grass strip measuring just 1,800 feet long. De Stefano in the left seat pushed the power levers forward and we lumbered sideways through muddy ruts, jouncing over deep gashes in the nutrient-rich Italian soil that were filled with at least a foot of water. The strip had only recently reopened after torrential rains forced its closure for an entire week before my arrival in Italy. Just as I was starting to question our sanity for considering taking off from such a short runway in a large airplane in these conditions, the field toward the departure end began to dry out considerably. A cursory glance at the runway surface confirmed that it was in much better shape than the slightly lower elevation off to the side where we were taxiing. I watched as the Tecnam P2010 single ahead of us—the photo ship for the air-to-air photography session that would be a part of this sortie—accelerated on the runway and lifted into the sky with ease. OK, let’s do this.

Having completed the run-up and other preflight checks on the ramp, De Stefano confirmed I was set to go, then swung the P2012 onto the runway, advancing the power to the forward stops. We rocketed on the uneven surface, bouncing along until the ground fell away far sooner than I expected, with a ground roll of perhaps 900 feet at our relatively light weight.

The announcement was supposed to start 30 min. ago. So far, nothing but crickets.

always. Such nonsense.

Ratman is following it. All I needed to see was the logo - an eight year old could have done better.

Disappointing. No dates, no details, just the announcement of a new marketing campaign for when they do open.

So in essence a "plan for the plan"...classic

not even that much...

Lots of BLAH Blah BLah. No information given about opening the borders. THAT is the only thing that matters now. Wasting money and time on advertising a tourist spot that is not open and no indication of when this will happen. December 1 opening. So far no information on quarantine or other measures.

December 1, 2020

Is that official or a guess?

Hope they keep to that date. Now we also need information on possible quarantine. (I suspect no quarantine) but will need covid free test before going on aircraft. STT ferry also needs to open.

Official. From the Premier towards the end of the BVI Love launch.

Was watching but had to step away....heard December 1st. Did I miss the requirements for entry? Was anything mentioned regarding where you have to go into or tests?

I'm sure it'll change if any new cases pop up.

Welp, looks like my November 15th trip with CYOA will be a USVI only trip.