bvi captains log blog

And here is said big fish from last night. A very large Horse Eyed Jack.

So ends our fishing experiences this week.
I heard one of the best sayings I have ever heard on charter this week, the last night we were all sitting around talking about which closes would fit or not to go home. What you normally talk about on the last evening of charter. One of the southern Belles was lamenting that her size 14 jeans which had been tight, may not fit. No surprise when she comes up and tells us that they don't fit, but the first time I have ever hears someone say "HER UNDERWEAR DID NOT EVEN FIT!"
The girls have went on their way and we are back at dock collecting our provisions for the "Pirate Girls" tomorrow (yes, another all female charter...repeats promising to be rowdier then last year...not possible, our cabana boys are trying to figure out how to get a week off, but it is not going to work. They are not throwing me to the wolves with all of the pirate girls!

As always, here is the kind thoughts our guests left in the guest book this weekend:

While I am a repeat guests, there is nothing repititious about the adventures! As in the past, I have had the privilege of sharing your home, your boundless knowledge of the BVI's and your intuition at finding the right mooring at the right time. This time around: Tarpon, Turtles, Sharks and Whales. Then their were other firsts: Spoons, Farkel, Shithead, and everyone had a "new rule". The entire crew made me feel like I was a friend not a guest. I hope I can return the generosity. MARGOT BC, CANADA

This southern girl had a wonderful time aboard the "Promenade" never mind the snorkeling, lounger, blue drinks, lily ting ting, etc. but for me it was each of you that made the memories.
Kerry my ass thanks you for the added pounds of wonderful food. I could say "no" too....
Bazza, you are very subtle and an expert sailor,
Simeon and B...you two not only made sure we were safe and comfortable but just added to the scenery. Many hugs your way to each of you from North Carolina. JOY

...And the second southern belle thanks you all for a great time. Love to all. DOTTIE

Thanks for trip # 2 on the Promenade-my last trip was incredible and this one was too (although it was a lot easier on my liver this time!) Whale Watching was awesome, as usual, I felt like a little spoiled princess on this trip. It was a total slice of heaven! Humongous thank you's to B for being the wonderful chaperone, you were absolutely the sweetest most caring guy- you watched out for each and everyone on this trip and made them feel cared for- truly amazing hospitality ! We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for taking such great care of us and being the best bartender. Thanks to all for yet another fantastic and utterly fabulous trip. LILY, TAMPA. PS THanks for the hot loving B! Just kidding!!

Thanks for all you did in making my trip and surprise so exciting. One of my highlights is always two bells! It was great to see you and see Margot. Best of luck to you. Love Betsy.

For those who have an interest, this is the very short form of the Tourist Board presentation kindly passed around by the BVICCHA from the presentation that was held Wednesday evening at the college.
Good to see that the cruise ship dock is not being extended. And it would be wonderful to have published taxi rates!!!
These are totally taken from the notes, except for leaving out a couple tidbits that I thought I would not broadcast!


For the benefit of those of you who could not attend the 2009 Tourism Industry Action Plan Meeting on February 25, 2009, and have asked what was presented, at the risk of not having captured everything, I will try to highlight some of the points below:

Tourist Board. Announcement of new appointees to the Tourist Board: Ajit George of Nail Bay, Michael Rowe of Sail Caribbean Divers, and Alan Rhymer of Round Hill Villa.
Budget. Premier promised a budget increase. The Tourist Board Act will also be revised.
Goals
1) Promote heritage tourism and begin an "adoption of sites" campaign.
2) Assist TAP with marketing, revise the standards program, provide office space for the organization, etc.
3) Promote tourism in the schools.
Cruise Ships. Lead the cruise ship industry, as opposed to taking a back seat to agents; convert cruise ship visitors to long-term overnight visitors
Taxi Drivers. Ameliorate inconsistency in fares; publish fares; develop a pocket handbook for taxi drivers; establish a dispatcher system that is similar to San Juan's.
Ports. Improve the quality of service at sea ports and airports; entertain visitors with steel pan music, and treat them to a rum punch
Problem Solving. Establish a Visitor Intervention Service to assist visitors having difficulties
Visitor Satisfaction Survey. Administer an electronic exit survey at ports of departure with a small hand-held touch screen device that will gather information in real time including demographic information, contact information, monies spent, what they did, etc. etc.
Fiscal Responsibility. Exercise greater fiscal responsibility
Data Gathering. Gathering visitor information from immigration cards to make timely decisions
Contact. You can communicate with the Board at bvipatriots@bvitourism.com
IFC. Conduct joint marketing with the International Financial Center
Cruise Ship Pier. Will be repaired, not extended.
Ferry Terminals. Will be significantly upgraded
Gun Creek. Establish a visitor center at Gun Creek
Niche Marketing. Promote weddings and honeymoons, as well as faith-based tourism
New York. the first Open House in New York is forthcoming
Canada. In the Canadian market, boat shows and other shows are utilized to market the Territory

Business Development
1) Workshop Training (beginning with Customs,Immigration, and Ports); cross-training; internships at different Marriott locations in the U.S.; "know your product" training; on-site training; series of standards workshops for the various sectors.
2) Measurements. Mystery shopper; exit survey; comment boxes; monthly inspections.

Product Development
1) Appointed a taxi liaison
2) Appointed a Roaming Office for Road Town on heavy cruise ship days
3) Working with the Ministry of Natural Resources to divert some of the cruise ship traffic from Cane Garden Bay to Brandywine Bay
4) Going Green. Establish a Carbon Footprint Reduction Program; Green Globe International Certification; Blue Flag Marinas and Boats; Clean up and beautification program; and recycling program.
5) Establish a comprehensive tourism education program to include school presentations; Day as a Tourist program; Tourism work experience; and competitions.

Online Marketing
1) Utilize various online social networks
2) Upgrade the content of the website
3) Make branding consistent across geographic regions
4) Develop an interactive destination map to help visitors get here

Please keep in mind that the aforementioned items are just highlights that I recorded in my notes, and are not intended to represent the entire presentation. I trust that you will find it useful. You will no doubt agree that the Tourist Board has a very impressive agenda.

In addition, the same BVICCHA sent around this info the other day on an increase of flights into Beef Island in May...

GOOD NEWS!!

As many of you know, both meetings with BVICCHA members at Rosewood Little Dix Bay and Treasure Isle, respectively, just over a week ago echoed a common and urgent refrain: WE NEED MORE AIRLIFT! Well, this is the moment you've been waiting for..... The Honorable Premier has announced that, with effect from May 1, 2009, we will have:

SIX DAILY AMERICAN EAGLE FLIGHTS SEVEN DAYS A WEEK
INCLUDING AN EARLY FLIGHT FROM BEEF ISLAND AT 7:20 A.M., AND A LATE NIGHT FLIGHT FROM SAN JUAN TO BEEF ISLAND AT 9:25 P.M.

The full details of the Honorable Premier's announcement are attached. I know that you join me in applauding the persistent and diplomatic efforts of the Honorable Premier along with his Airlift Task Force on this important achievement.

The last day of another charter has rolled around again. It has been good weather. We woke up surrounded by boats in White Bay, large crewed cats, first thing in the morning so we decided to get out of there and give up our prime spot.
This was from dinner last night, the girls really enjoyed the music at Ivans and said that Chinnery had a fantastic voice. They thought it was some of the best music they have heard, and Ivan tinged away on his triangle...

We were sailing over to Great Thatch for a snorkel when we spotted 2 whales, a big and little one...

It was very exciting, so we watched them for awhile.

I was finally convinced to put together my camera and get in the water. Never really got in front of them so it was really just in and out of the water swimming seeing nothing a couple times. I snuck down to the bottom just for a look see and saw nothing, it was very murky, and about 84 feet deep. Nothing but baby conch. I was on my way up doing a safety stop when I saw something come into my vision and this is what i saw. Scared the hell out of me!!

While I was taking pictures of B, he was taking a picture of me...

Apparently he followed my bubbles for awhile looking for whale and this picture looks like a jellyfish, but it is actually a reflection of B in one of my bubbles!

The only picture I got was of the Promenade, no whale for me!

Oh, and a nice silhouette as well though...

Jumped in the water by Great Thatch to finish off my tank and saw an Angelfish. That was the extent of my excitement. The north side has been horrible visibility all winter with the swells...

We barbecued hamburgers and then had a great sail (with most everyone including me having a nap) up to Great Harbour on Peter Island where we enjoyed our last dinner tonight. Some are ready to go home, others aren't!

I understand that we have a big fish on so off I go to see!