Upliftingnewsfor Marina Casa de Campo, Dominican Republic
A 300-ton marine lift has been installed at the IBC Shipyard at Marina Casa de Campo in La Romana and is capable of hauling vessels up to 165’ OA and catamarans with a 36’ beam. “This investment allows the arrival of Mega Yachts to the country, attracting a VIP clientele that is currently enjoying the British Virgin Islands, St. Maarten and St. Barths,” says Giacomo Moriconi, chief executive officer. The new equipment will also allow the necessary maintenance of the local catamarans. The Dominican Republic is popular with European yacht charters and occupies the eastern two-thirds of the Caribbean island of Hispaniola. www.ibinautica.net
Antigua Charter Show wows the crowds
The eagerly awaited The Antigua Charter Show 2019 drew brokers from all over the world to the Caribbean with the promise of some truly impressive charter vessels - and it didn’t disappoint. Taking place across three of Antigua’s prime locations; the Nelson's Dockyard Marina, UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Falmouth Harbour Marina and the Antigua Yacht Club Marina, the show was given enthusiast support for bringing the biggest and best yachts for a global preview. The ease of access and practicality of its locations has been a huge selling point in Antigua - and, of course, the gorgeous Caribbean weather. Another aspect that set this show apart, wasthe freedom of hopping onboard - an unique selling point. Broker feedback thus far suggests Phoenix2 was a firm favourite- with the sleek 90-metre a standout highlight of the show. See: https://www.antiguayachtshow.com/
Bigger,better,strongerat Puerto Del Rey, Puerto Rico
Four ‘deep keel’ holes have been added for extra safety in the Hurricane Tie Down area of the Puerto Del Rey yard - have been so widely welcomed, they’ve already sold out until 2021. Repairs and maintenance demand is also hight, so the yard has added The Yacht Garage (SeakeeperAuthorised Distributor), One Stop Marine, Wally Castro Marine Parts & Service Center and KCO Marine to its list of over 14 on-site contractors. A new ‘do-it-yourself’ area for customers to work on their own boats is now in the planning. www.puertodelrey.com
New cradles at BVI’s Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour At the Boatyard at Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour,monohull owners can now choose to be strapped down to sand screws over newly acquired cradles - this is in addition to hurricane pits. The yard has a 350 metric ton lift able to haul vessels up to 180’ LOA and with a 39’ beam. Facilities at the Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour include a good supermarket, dive centre, bar/restaurant, craft shop selling stamps, souvenir shop, clothing stores, phones, post box and taxis. www.vgyh.vg
The yachting world has been justifiably excited by the news from Andrea Frabetti, Sunseeker’s CEO this winter regarding the launch of Sunseeker’s Superyacht Division. It looks set to further strengthen Sunseeker’s success in the superyacht category having already delivered 137 yachts over 100ft since 2000. The news is part of a major new product development plan for Sunseeker International, which will see the entire range doubling in size to 22 models during the next three years.
Although designed predominantly in-house, Sunseeker will partner with two renowned shipyards, Pendennis and ICON; initially for two models within the range. The new 133 Yacht hull will be built in GRP by Sunseeker before transferring to Pendennis for completion whilst the new 161 Yacht, built in aluminium, will be constructed by ICON in its entirety. These two partners have been chosen specifically for their expertise and proven history in this size range and capability to build in metal, where appropriate. Sunseeker’s new specialist division will allow clients to grow through the range of superyachts and enable greater flexibility of design and layouts, built in either composite or metal. www.sunseeker.com
Catamarancradles now at Nanny Cay Marina, BVI
Changes are a-foot at the Boatyard at the BVI’s Nanny Cay Resort & Marina in Tortola, the latest of the British Virgin Islandswith several white-sand beaches. Road Town, the capital of the British Virgin Islands, has long been the yachting hub and has a pretty harbour dotted with sailing boats. In conjunction with Brownell Boat Stands, the Nanny Cay Resort & Marina has developed a new cradle-style boat stand to support catamaran hulls. The custom-designed stand utilises a large section of webbing similar to the slings found on a travelift.This provides a wider distribution of loads compared to a conventional jack stand. Further additions include the installation of new high voltage power lines and power and water pedestals throughout the yard. See: Nannycay.com/boatyard
New shower units at Jolly Harbour Marina, Antigua & Barbuda
A new bathroom and shower facility, located at the end of the boardwalk just inside the boatyard welcomes new arrivals at the Jolly Harbour Marina. Four new self-contained shower, sink and toilet units increases the shower facilities to 10 overall, including the 3 male/3 female units in the commercial centre. Limited to marina and boatyard guests via coded locks, the units aren’t the only new addition - there is also now greater water supply capacity to the docks and boardwalk reconstruction. www.jolly-harbour-marina.com
Sad news from Barbados Yacht Club
Condolences continue to flood in as news of the death of former President of the Barbados Sailing Association, Richard Anthony Hoad, reaches sailors far and wide across the world. Affectionately known as “Uncle Tony” to most of the sailing community, Richard passed away on the 21st of August in Barbados, surrounded by his family. He was 88 and had been suffering from Parkinson’s Disease for some time.
One of the best-known and respected sailors in the southern Caribbean, Tony was famous for hisbig heartedness and outgoing personality and ability to converse with everyone from royalty to toddlers. Once his tenure as president of the Barbados Sailing Association ended, Tony stayed on the management board as a strong and vocal advocate for youth sailing and was prolific in introducing non-sailors to the sport. As well as being a top yachtsman, Tony enjoyed cricket - his father, Teddy was captain of the West Indies cricket team in the 1930s. In 1992 Tony represented Barbados at the Barcelona Olympics in the Soling class and was the Flag Bearer that led the Barbadian contingent into the stadium for the Opening Ceremony. He was the oldest competitor of any country in the 1992 Games.
Even when not sailing, Tony could be found regularly at the Barbados Yacht Club (BYC), where he was a former Commodore and took tea on Fridays and weekends. RIP Richard Anthony Hoad, you will be sadly missed.
