BVI Bulletin - Feb 06
CONGRATULATIONS TO CONCH CHARTERS
Almost everyone in the BVI Sailing world knows Cindy Chestnut & Brian Gandey and Peter Twist, owners of Conch Charters. All At Sea joins the BVI marine community in congratulating these three on their new offices on the ground floor waterfront at Fort Burt Marina. The Grand Opening was a festive occasion where friends, sailors of the community and members of the press gathered to celebrate in their new space and at a super cocktail party on the dock outside where their fleet is located.
Cindy says that they have moved five times. “From our humble beginnings with the office in Brian’s and my apartment, to the tiny “linen closet” in the Island Marine Supply Building, to the turret of Fort Burt Hotel, to part of the top floor of the Marine Supply Building, to the entire bottom floor with three extra store rooms. What a difference 18 years makes. We now have three times the space we used to have, as well as consolidating our sales and operations personnel. Before, the guys in charge of operations were across the street where communication was always difficult as it was dangerous for them to cross the busy Waterfront Drive about 20 times a day each.”
Conch Charters has remained a family-run business chartering exclusively out of the BVI for over 19 years. They offer crewed or bareboat, catamarans or mono-hull yachts and have a clientele that return year after year. Good for you, Brian, Cindy & Peter – Way to Go!
RAINBOW HOME CHILDREN TAKE DAYSAIL ON WHITE SQUALL II
Children from the Rainbow Children’s Home in Road Town, Tortola were treated to a fun day at sea on board recently when the White Squall II, the oldest daysail charter boat in service in the BVI, took them out for the day. The trip was organized by the Centre for Applied Marine Studies at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College. His Excellency Governor Thomas Macan, in collaboration with the Virgin Islands Powerboat Association and the crew and management of White Squall II sponsored the event. They sailed to Norman Island where they had an opportunity to swim at Pirates Beach and were given a splendid lunch on board. Geoffrey Brooks, from the Centre for Applied Marine Studies, said that he “could not thank the crew of White Squall II enough. They are just fabulous! They make every child feel special”.
President of the Power Boat Association, Dwayne Smith pointed out that this was the third year in a row that the event was organized and that “we look forward to it every year as the highlight of our holiday activities. With the support of Governor Macan and the outstanding crew of the White Squall II it is a wonderful experience for everyone involved”. Chris Smith, Captain of the Classic 80 ft schooner built of wood in 1936, said “It’s all about the kids, that’s what sharing means to us and we love doing it. We can’t wait till next year”
COOPER ISLAND BEACH CLUB CELEBRATES 25 YEARS
Cooper Island Beach Club, a small resort on Manchioneel Bay on the northwest corner of Cooper Island, celebrated their 25th year as one of the top mooring and restaurant stops for chartering yachts in the BVI recently. Cooper Island is approximately one and a half miles long by a half mile wide, and lies about five miles south of Tortola. Originally a private house, the Beach Club was renovated and expanded in 1980, and has now been operated continuously by us for the past quarter century. Their beach front restaurant and bar offers one of the best sunset views in the islands where meals are served in an informal setting. Apart from the Beach Club and its staff, there is one local family, five holiday houses and lots of goats on the island. Congratulations to all of you - we love sailing to your beautiful island!
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