Good news for the U.S. Virgin Islands charter industry. On June 1, yachts, along with shoreside accommodations, received the green light to accommodate leisure guests when the territory’s Governor Albert Bryan, Jr., initiated his ‘Open Doors’ phase of re-opening in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. This welcome news comes on the heels of an effective end to community spread of the virus as determined by the territory’s health department, as well as the re-opening of beaches April 20, and restaurants May 26, all of which are key to the USVI’s tourism sectors including both day and term, bareboat and crewed charter yachts.
“Charter Caribe is thrilled to be highlighting the beauty and versatility of the US Virgin Islands,” says Dare Blankenhorn, owner and director of this St. Thomas-based yacht sales and management company, as well as president of the Virgin Islands Professional Charter Association. “For many of our yachts and crews, this is home, and often can be overlooked as many of our clients are pushing for the BVI’s. This is our backyard, and there is so much to experience from great history, tremendous diving, National Parks, and fantastic culture. Whether it’s here on St. Thomas, over in St. John, or the massive beauty of St. Croix our summer guests are in for a treat. Charter clients are itching to come and relax and take some respite from these world events. There’s no easier place to acquire this, than in the USVI’s.”
The Charter Caribe fleet currently offers over a dozen vessels for charter, ranging from 45- to 62-foot catamarans. Beyond this, there are 144 USVI-based charter vessel members of VIPCA. www.chartercaribe.com, www.vipca.org
