6 http://www.yachtingmonthly.com NOVEMBER 2017
If you have a news story to share, contact News Editor Theo Stocker
EMAIL [email protected] TEL 01252 555164
If you have a news story to share, contact News Editor Theo Stocker
Sailing community unites
to help hurricane victims
UK sailors and businesses are
pulling together to support
the Caribbean islands hit by
recent hurricanes.
Sailors, charities and
companies from across the UK
are pitching in to help victims
of Hurricanes Irma and Maria
in the Caribbean islands,
following the devastation
caused by September’s storms.
The Caribbean has long
been a favourite destination
among blue water cruisers,
racing sailors and holiday
charterers, but many beloved
harbours and anchorages
have been seen wide-spread
destruction. Hurricane Irma
brought sustained wind
speeds of 160 knots (185mph),
making it the second most
powerful hurricane on
record and was followed
quickly by Hurricane Maria.
It is estimated that the 2017
hurricane season has so far
caused over 250 deaths and
nearly $200bn of damage.
Islands hit twice
Hurricane Irma made landfall
among the Caribbean Leeward
Islands before moving north
over Florida, while Hurricane
Maria hit the US Virgin Islands
and Puerto Rico. Other islands
affected include Martinique,
Guadaloupe, Dominica, the
British Virgin Islands, St
Maarten, Antigua, Barbuda,
Anguilla and St Barth.
For many of the islands
tourism, and in particular
sailing tourism, is the
mainstay of their economy,
depending heavily on visiting
yachtsmen. In recognition of
this, the sailing community in
the islands and the UK have
been eager to offer support.
Large numbers of yachts
and much infrastructure,
such as marina berths and
shore-side facilities, have been
damaged but businesses are
keen to emphasise that they
will be up and running again
as quickly as possible.
The charter industry is still
assessing the situation after
several fl eets were badly
damaged by Irma. Paraquita
Bay in the BVIs, frequently
used as a hurricane shelter
by charter companies during
lesser storms, saw hundreds
of boats decimated by the
Category 5 hurricane.
Dream Yacht Charterfounder, Loic Bonnet, said:
‘Dream Yacht Charter had 70
boats in St. Martin and the
BVI when Irma hit and we
anticipate 60 per cent will be
declared a total loss, although
we’ve yet to have a fi nal
report from the loss adjusters.
While the impact on our fl eet
and revenue is signifi cant, our
business remains strong.’
Sunsail said in a statement:
‘Our priority has been the
safety and wellbeing of our
guests and employees. We
are confi dent that everythingthat we could prepare for,
and that could be done in
advance, was. Several hundred
employees from multiple
locations have been affected
and we are working with them
to offer support, including
offering counselling.’
Mathew Prior, managing
director of Marine at
Travelopia said, ‘The people of
these islands are resilient and
determined to rebuild their
communities and come back,
bigger and better than ever.
One of the best ways we can
support them is by returning
to sail in these beautiful
islands, just as before.’
While businesses are
making efforts to help
the economy, the UK
marine industry has
formed a new charity,
Sail Aid UK, to support
hurricane victims through
fundraising events,
including a dinner to be
hosted by Land Rover
BAR in Portsmouth on 11
November. In a statement,
it said, ‘The UK sailing
community has strong
links with the Caribbean,
their residents and the many
regattas and sailing events
and therefore feel the need
to act in assisting the victims.’
For more information, see
http://www.facebook.com/sailaiduk/
Bart’s Bash, the global
club sailing event, used its
event in September to raise
funds, while yacht shipping
company Peters & May hosted
a Caribbean Party at the
Southampton Boat Show. The
Caribbean Sailing Association
also has a list of charities
helping those islands affected
by Hurricane Irma: https://
caribbean-sailing.com/how-
to-help-those-devastated-by-
hurricane-irma/NEWS
If you have a news story to share, contact News Editor Theo Stocker
NNEWNEWNNNEWEEEWWWSSS
‘One of the best ways we can support is by
returning to sail in these beautiful islands’
Above: Boats piled
up at Nanny Cay on
Tortola in the British
Virgin Islands
Right: Royal Marines
arrive on Tortola to
help with the clear upPHOTO: PA IMAGESPHOTO: NANNY CAY