The 2006 Caribbean Rally officially got underway November 8th, days later than scheduled due to inclement weather with a low-pressure system passing through the area. Weatherman Ken Campbell made the recommendation to the race officials to postpone the start of the seventy-five entries and the committee heeded his advice. Two yachts did venture out though taking an early start, " Between the Sheets and Faraway Eyes", reporting 25 to 30 knot winds on the nose and heavy seas through the night. "Faraway Eyes" electing to hove to for the night radioed in to the committee that they were having a rough go of it but they were safe.

On the start line of the 8th, the fleet found light Northerly winds and foggy weather to be the order of the day. The following day did bring on some better conditions with a good twenty knot wind speed as the fleet ventured into the Gulf Stream, with the winds predicted to taper off into the evening.

November 10th the fishing lures were trailing out behind many of the racers with "Artic Tern" reporting the first fish landed onboard. The yacht "Thalia" had radioed in a medical emergency to the Coast Guard and one of the yachts crew was air lifted to the shore. The fleet was to be plagued by very light air for days to follow, but the fishing did indeed improve with  "Thumbs Up" landing a rather large Yellow Fin Tuna to the crews delight. At one point, there was rumor going around the fleet over the radio that the race should be renamed the "Caribbean Trawler Trek 1500" as the entire fleet was now under power in no wind conditions.

November 14th unveiled the same conditions of no wind with many of the fleet now running low on fuel making their way to Tortola. "Between the Sheets" was reporting their position just six miles from the finish line, but the committee also pointed out that they did have that two day jump on the fleet at the start!

November 16th is the day that the trade winds finally kicked in albeit that a large percentage of the fleet were very close to the finish line and the SSB transmissions were having their issues with the fleet reporting in to the race committee. The good news of the day was the expected finishers and the trailing boats were now closing in on the leaders. Many of the stragglers were sailing hard to make the awards dinner at Village Cay, Saturday the 18th, with six of the yachts still out at sea with three holding over in Bermuda.

The rally class has been determined and the Overall Winner was Hi Yo Silver, Ray Diones Pacific Seacraft 40. First to finish was Gil Smith's Joy for All. Clean Wake Award recipients were Hunter and Devi Sharp. Tempest Trophy winners were Rick and Terri on Sophisticated Lady. The Hal Sutphen Seamanship Award was presented to Dr. Miles and Anne Poor on Karina.

The fleet is now enjoying the savors of their efforts to reach Tortola, cruising all through the islands!

IC 24 Nanny Cay Nations Cup Regatta
Tortola BVI

Light winds prevailed over the IC 24 Nanny Cay Nations Cup regatta held November 11th and 12th. Saturday was especially tricky with wind shifts shaking up the fleet as they battled for positions on the opening day of the regatta. The regatta had a record number of entries this year, with fourteen teams representing nine countries, sailing a total of twenty races over the weekend in ten flights. Nanny Cay, Tortola was the event venue offering excellent viewing of the racing just off the beach, with the Royal BVI Yacht Club providing barbeque lunches and refreshments. Richard Woolridge from Racing in Paradise was calling the racing action over the loudspeaker system all through the event giving live updates and race standings as the weekend racing progressed. Excellent race committee work by Chris Haycraft also from Racing in Paradise, adjusting the course to the shifty breeze.

BEYC Team USA

Team BVI, with the Hirst brothers exchanging the helm from race to race showed excellent boat speed and tactics throughout the first day, taking a good lead in the fleet standings going into the afternoon with a total of eleven points. Team Holland followed closely with some good races totaling fifteen points, and team U.S.V.I. holding third place with twenty points.

Sunday's racing was a little better with the winds still light but far less shifty than the previous day. Team BVI just wouldn't let up the pressure on the fleet for the entire day, showing their transom to the other competitors most of the day. The rest of the fleet mixed up their standings by the end of the day with team Holland having some off the pace races, causing them to let their second place standing from the day before dwindle away. Team St. Martin stepped up their boat handling with a pair of bullets in Sunday's first two races. Team U.S.V.I. also had a good showing in flight 8 of the regatta pulling in a first and second place finish, helping to keep them in contention. In the end though, Team BVI dominated the fleet with nothing worse than a third place finish over the entire weekend.

Winning Crew For The Cup - Team BVI
Robbie and Mike Hirst/Colin Rathbun

An interesting antic on John Holmbergs team U.S.A. boat in the third race on Sunday found two crew members going overboard on a light wind roll tack when a lifeline fitting let go and in they went! John managed to retrieve his crew and finish the race but couldn't quite catch up to where he was when the incident happened. He was allowed to apply for redress though, as all of the IC 24's were considered as "chartered" boats sailing in a round robin profile. Team Barbados harnessed in the award for the best effort and vowed to return next year with some practice under their belt.

All in all the entire regatta was an outstanding success and was highly touted as a must do regatta next year by all of the visiting countries.

Nation Cup Final Results

1. BVI, Robbie and Mike Hirst/Colin Rathbun (17 points)
2. St. Martin, Simon Manly (27 points)
3. USVI, Chris Curreri (28 points)
4. The Beefeaters (England), Mike Masters/Robin Tattersall, (30 points)
5. Holland, Frits Bus (32 points)
6. ORION (PR), Fraito Lugo (35 points)
7. St George (England) Andrew Waters (37 points)
8. Canada, Andrew Watters (40 points)
9. BEYC (USA), John Holmberg (44 points)
10. Urayo (PR), Gilberto Rivera (46 points)
11. HIHO (USA), Andy Morrell (48 points)
12. Nanny Cay Expats (UK), Steve Roose (55 points)
13. Ireland, Sandra Dillion (61 points)
14. Barbados, Peter Armstrong (67 points)

BVI Charter Yacht Society
2006 Boat Show

The 2006 charter yacht show was a great success with over sixty yachts in attendance to show off their charter yachts to over seventy plus brokers who came from the United States, Europe along with the local brokers from the U.S.V.I. and the BVI. Having Village Cay marina in Road Town as the venue with the yachts backed into the slips, made for easy access for the brokers viewing and networking with the onboard crews. The show was staged November 7th through the 10th. The morning's breakfasts during the show featured guest speakers from various industry companies that also included representatives from the marine division of the BVI government.

During the show, there were culinary contests by attending yachts competing for awards given out by Columbian Emeralds. A gala reception at Government House hosted later in the evening of November 9th by Governor David Pearey and his wife was well attended. Friday the 10th was the broker appreciation dinner hosted by Nanny Cay marina with the best of show award being presented to the yacht  "Wonderful". November 11th was a special day where many of the visiting brokers were treated to a day trip to Anegada with a luncheon and plenty of beach time.

BVI Charter Yacht Wonderful

Winners of the culinary competition:
Appetizer/Salad: Elizabeth Lee on Wonderful
Entrée: Nina Groves on Elektra
Desert: Ann Hasted on Corus

Best of Show Winner:
Wonderful with Warren East, Elizabeth Lee and Nedra Walker

Andy and Chris
Caribbean Undersea Adventures

The British Virgin Islands welcomes the new high technology underwater company Caribbean Undersea Adventures (CUA). The newly formed company utilizes a diving ROV (Remotely operated underwater vehicle) that is deployed from their 47' custom-built power catamaran by trained operators with many years of experience. A great way to explore the waters of the BVI, as the ROV transmits live video feeds up to the ship providing on screen viewing for those onboard to enjoy.

The British Virgin Islands is one of the premier diving venues in the world, and Caribbean Undersea Adventures is proud to be part of diving operations in the BVI, opening up the underwater world to those that haven't been able to view the beauty of the underwater world surrounding the British Virgin Islands before with such ease.

Based in Nanny Cay, Tortola, Caribbean Undersea Adventures is poised to provide a service to the local population through educational programs in the BVI as well as the tourist industry, also lending their services to rescue and marine salvage operations. The Caribbean Undersea Adventure team is just another great up and coming company that is complimenting the diversity and beauty of the British Virgin Islands, sharing natures little secrets for all to enjoy.

To read the full article go to:
Caribbean Undersea Adventures