BVI Bulletin - Apr 05
OUR ISLAND SLOOPS VISIT ST. JOHN
The BVI sloops, Moonbeam and Youth Instructor, were the center of attraction recently at the 14th Annual Folk Life Celebration in St. John, USVI. The theme for this year’s celebration was “Traditional Boat Making and Commerce in our Beloved Community”. My friend Geoff Brooks, Supervisor of the Center for Applied Marine Studies, told me, “To know the story of these boats and the men who built them and sailed in them is to know who BVI islanders are and where they have come from. The importance of these boats to the cultural heritage of both Territories is immeasurable.” The Center for Applied Marine Studies maintains the boats with support from the Loyal West End Yacht Club, the Virgin Islands Power Boat Association and the management of Nanny Cay Marina. Al Frasier, also of the college, assists Geoff whenever these sloops are used.
As a special treat, Mr. Watson White, the builder of the 20’ Moonbeam was on hand to give a demonstration of boat building techniques. Youth Instructor was built in East End, Tortola in 2000 by the late Mr. Osmond Davies, and was typical of the type of the vessels used in trading between the BVI and USVI. It is to the benefit of us all that these boats can be used to show BVI history.
Organizer of the event, USVI Park Ranger, Denise Georges, was crew on Moonbeam when she visited the BVI during the Sweethearts Regatta. She told me she loved the ride! Great job Geoff and Al.
LOBSTER SEASON WILL BE OPEN THROUGHOUT 2005
Recently, fishermen voiced concerns about lobster season restraints affecting their livelihood. However, other residents recommended areas be closed to allow both regeneration of stocks and fishing at the same time. At a territory retreat, the BVI government announced plans to keep the lobster season open this year and to provide for continued monitoring of stocks with a review of the closed season done based on an analysis of data collected.
The retreat was facilitated by the BVI government and attended by local fishermen; the Royal Virgin Islands Police Force, Her Majesty’s Customs, the Immigration Department and the BVI Tourist Board; and staff of the Conservation and Fisheries Department and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Labor. We commend the concern for the livelihood of the fishermen but at the same time we don’t want to deplete the lobsters in our waters. Everywhere we look environmental problems are on the increase.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE NEW RBVIYC BOARD
I would personally like to congratulate the new 2005-2006 Royal BVI Yacht Club Board of Directors and say that it looks like a great group of sailors and other water lovers. The Nomination Committee, with Brian Gandey as Chairman with Graham Sedwick and George Forster as members, selected the following slate. Good luck to each and all of you.
CommodoreChris Haycraft
Vice CommodoreDick Schoonover
TreasurerClair Burke
Captain of Sailing Emma Paull
Captain of Sailing Development George Lane
Captain of Angling Scott Bronstein
House Comm. Chair Vinnie Connolly
MembershipCynthia Chestnut
Secretary Judy Petz
Past Commodore Robert Phillips
CRUISE SHIPS DRAW NEGATIVE COMMENTS FROM BUSINESSES
The merchants of the BVI are finally taking a stand on the amount of cruise passengers that are unloaded in the BVI. “The BVI Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association cannot be any clearer in its concern about the cruise ship industry. Most days we see hundreds, if not thousands, of passengers disembark in Road Town, and many others on Virgin Gorda and Jost Van Dyke. While these ships represent a crucial source of income for some, the majority of the association’s members feel that they hurt, instead of help, their businesses, and that government should further restrict the number allowed to call here. The ships we are seeing call here are larger than in the past, including the Queen Mary II. It is obvious that the expansion of cruise ship tourism will have an impact on other facets of the tourism industry, which is why members of the CCHA are concerned. Everyone I know agrees with them – but then I don’t know many taxi drivers.
Have a great month!
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