bvi captains log blog

I know, it has been days since I have written, but in all truth I have been working flat out trying to get together information for the beginning of August on some new programs we are doing. I am getting closer, and hope to have it all together in the next few days, so you will just have to be patient until then!
I am not even sure where to start here.
For those who remember Lasse, our Danish Gentleman who worked on the boat about 3 years ago, well, guess what! He is getting married in early August! yes, to Yoi Yoi, the Japanese girl he has been seeing on and off for many many years. I think that they are actually going to live in Denmark for awhile! Congratulations to him on that!

There was a symposium on last week to discuss oil prices, air prices, ferry service, and other things that are affecting our economy in the BVI, like elsewhere. Although I was obviously not on island, the Chamber of Commerce sent around the minutes from the meeting and the three key points i picked up on were:
1) Long Bay resort has seen a jump in their guests who are coming by ferry from St Thomas as opposed to straight into the Tortola airport rise from 2.5 % to 28%. That is an incredible number. I knew I was on the right track when I was thinking of moving the yacht down there to live! Long Bay among others, is also seeing very low occupancy rates for the off season and subsequently have laid off more then the normal number this year. The places on land seem to be suffering compared to the boating industry in the BVI. I could give them a list of reasons why, but that would not be very diplomatic...something about those in glass houses, so I will stop there.
2) There is talk about putting on later ferries to get people over to Tortola from St Thomas in the evening, as the last ones now are about 5. It is being worked on and it is a good thing. Although, someone mentioned that we could put on all the ferries we want in the world, but if they were cutting flights into St Thomas as well, it would not matter.
3) Industry and the government needs to approach alternate airlines to see about getting another carrier to pick up AA's slack. Also brief talk of our own airline...(better not, the last time we did that the one and only plane is now a great dive wreck off the Dogs!)
It was concluded that when everyone works together things can happen. ie, getting a repeal of the new proposed harbor fees and a task force formed to look at it.
Another scary statistic. When AA shifts there flights in the fall all the flights arriving and departing out of Tortola will be between 2 and 6 pm! Does not sound very encouraging on AA's part.
Someone forwarded me this picture and it is a definite oops!

In other news (I feel like a broadcaster here!) there have been reported sightings of the LIONFISH in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. They are native to the Pacific Ocean, but I believe they manage to get into the Atlantic waters after Hurricane Katrina and they have been slowly moving their way down the island chain. These babies are very beautiful, very venomous, and have not many predators. The first one that is found in these waters will be a picture on the front page of the newspaper for sure. NOAA is asking if you find one, either SCUBA or fishing, that you DO NOT return it to the water, you capture it (! that probably comes under the heading of we are trained professionals (ha) and we don't want our guests trying to do it on their own!) and they want it.

Here are two flyers on it, one for divers Lionfish SCUBA Flyer and additionally, one for the fishermen out there Lionfish Fishing Flyer
I will look forward to taking pictures of them and practicing my lionfish capturing skills, which usually means yelling for my husband!!

I thought Bazza was going to bend down and kiss the driveway where his project sat when he got back to Victoria! I asked him where he was going to fit it on the yacht and he said he was going to sleep with it! I harrumphed!!

I have no idea what this little black piece is but I suspect it is a hydraulic arm of some kind.

My aunt and uncle sent this on and I thought it was appropriate with all the bears we have seen on our trip.

I have some nice pictures of our trip around Prince Rupert and the northern part of Vancouver Island, which I will put up next entry. This is just the grab bag! My friend Janice had there boat out in North Carolina this weekend and she sent some stunning pictures! Just exactly the type of pictures I like! Reflections and sunsets!!

Great pictures Janice..

There is also some rumor going around the island, that a certain island that was full speed ahead under construction..no names, appears to have laid off there filipino and vietnames workers and sent them home. Now this is the general contractor. I have heard for a few months here that sub contractors have not been paid here. That is all I know and it is strictly from the coconut telegraph, but would be typical, get something half done, ruin the absolute look of the island and then come to a stand still.