St. Thomas’ Yacht Haven Grande played host to the annual showcase of charter vessels welcoming visitors for the winter tourist season. The 2022 Charter Yacht Show wrapped up its event on Tuesday after announcing the winners of a judging competition the night before.
This year’s show took place at a time when officials of the Bryan Administration announced an agreement with the British Virgin Islands to create a uniform regulation system for their respective charter boat industries.
Event organizer Oriel Blake described the yacht show as an event where charter yacht brokers from the Virgin Islands, Caribbean, U.S. and Europe visit the vessels on show. “This gives them a chance to personally see the yachts and meet the crews so that when they return home and customers call to book a charter, the brokers can make sound recommendations as to which boats may best fit that customer’s needs,” Blake said.
Sixty vessels lined the berths at the Long Bay marina and commercial complex, ranging from mega yachts to 30-foot cabin cruisers. Exhibiting yachts ranged from one-hulled sailing yachts to catamarans. Large power yachts also made an appearance at the show. Competition judges spent time visiting the competing boats, chatting up owners, captains and chefs.
Awards were announced after a Monday afternoon champagne reception for the top three vessels in three categories, for top chef, and the best cocktail mixologist. Additional awards were handed out in special categories, said Assistant USVI Tourism Commissioner Alani Henneman.
More than 150 brokers registered to attend the four-day event, organizers said. There were those charters that came prepared to prove their credibility as luxury seagoing tourist destinations. There were also those that came to the show to pursue a strict business agenda.
“This is an opportunity for the brokers to see the vessels and meet the crew, so they know what they’re marketing,” said Dick Stuart, captain of the Devine. Stuart and his wife, Kim —  the chef — make up the crew. Owner Ray Devine of Devine Sailing said over 25 years, he had brought other vessels to the St. Thomas charter yacht show. The owner said he’s looking forward to a successful season but added that part of that success hinges on sailing between the USVI and the BVI.
“Even though we had a successful season in the USVI, the majority of our passengers want to go back to the BVI,” he said. Yacht show organizers said indulging those preferences are part of the services provided by charter operators.
“A crewed charter is one where there is a captain, chef and crew onboard to drive the yacht, indulge the guests with activities both ashore and on the water, with meals catered onboard all-inclusively,” Blake said.
Within recent days the BVI announced its intention to revitalize its yachting industry after emerging from two years of COVID-19 social restrictions. Henneman said the new agreement is one way the two territories can accommodate those vacation wishes.
“The (USVI) charter yacht industry is doing well. They are booked through 2023, and the new partnership between the USVI and the BVI will allow the charter boats to go back and forth between the USVI and the BVI,” Henneman said.
