What’s happening? Chat up the WhatsApp group called COVID-19 Superyachts to provide and exchange real time crisis, port and governmental restrictions information in response to the pandemic. The group was created by San Diego, CA-based YachtAid Global, in cooperation with UK-headquartered AYSS (Association of Yacht Support Services) Superyacht Global Network. The group comprises captains from around the world and select agents at key global locations.
“YachtAid Global started the COVID-19 Superyachts chat group to provide captains, around the globe, with a real-time resource to post questions and to contribute factual intelligence for others,” according to Captain Mark Drewelow, YachtAid Global founder and executive director. “The focus of the group has been sharing quick responses and access to facts related to marine entry and clearance, visas, and COVID-19 related quarantine and travel restrictions.”
The group membership is currently 98% captains and a few key strategic agents in varying places around the world, Drewelow adds. A number of these are either in the Caribbean or have been or will be going to the Caribbean in the future.
Organizers intend for the group to remain active for the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis and then be in place for future unifying events and natural disasters. Data from the group is extracted by AYSS and posted at: www.covid19superyachts.com