Caribbean Superyacht Regatta officially opened in VG
BVI News correspondent - Friday, March 18th, 2011 at 8:15 AM
Governor Boyd McCleary(2nd left), David Johnson(centre) of Victor International, S.A. L'Aga Khan(2nd right) - President YCCS and Premier Ralph O'Neal(right) cut ribbon to mark the official opening of the YCCS and the Caribbean Superyacht regatta
Premier Ralph O’neal and David Johnson of Victor International officially cut the ribbon to open the new Yacht Club Costa Smeralda –YCCS Marina and the opening of the inaugural Caribbean Superyacht Regatta and Rendezvous at North Sound Virgin Gorda yesterday.
The regatta is being organized by Victor (BVI), YCCS and Boat International Media. It includes about 20 mega yachts.
Speaking at the opening, Johnson said he felt very proud and he described the event as a historic day for the BVI and it took many years to make it happen. “I am extremely proud, I am excited for the future of the BVI and the people of the BVI and to start this wonderful tradition of Superyacht Regattas in the BVI.”
He said the regatta will bring a lot of money into the BVI economy and help boost the tourism product. “Each one of these yachts is like a floating hotel and now they are coming to race they bring business. They bring economic stability and global recognition and put the spotlight on the BVI to showcase the BVI for how great it really is. It showcases the BVI for its security, safety and its magnificent physical beauty and great waters.”
Johnson added that hosting the regatta will contribute to the economic development of the territory. “You can see that each one of these boats travels with about 40 people and we have rented every hotel in Saba Rock, every villa in Leverick Bay and some of the boats here can’t race because there are no more housing for crews. So the reaching effect of this extends far beyond these docks – it really benefits all in North Sound, all in Virgin Gorda and the people of the BVI.
Speaking at the ceremony Governor Boyd McCleary described the launching of the regatta and the opening of YCCS as an important event in the history of the territory. “It’s quite unique, this has never happened before, it may not happen again. It’s not just unique for the Virgin Islands, it’s unique that such a major marina is built here in the Caribbean particularly in the context of the recession we had for the last couple of years. I think that every congratulation must go to David Johnson, for his vision, his bravery and for his commitment for delivering what he said he would deliver some years ago.”
Premier Ralph O’Neal speaking at the function also said he is proud to see such a facility on Virgin Gorda. He told the gathering of close to 400 people that Johnson was welcomed to the BVI by the previous government when he started his development and when the Virgin Islands Party took over this development continued.
The regatta village opened on Thursday and races will be held every day from 11:00am.
Prizes will be presented to winners at a ceremony to mark the end of the regatta on Saturday.
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7 Comments
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It is about time something positive is happening in the BVI and the North Sound. Saba Rock and Leverick Bay are unique in their opening their doors to local and regional events, unlike their International known neighbor Bitter End, still living in the past. The boating community welcomes this knew destination 5 star marina.
Same people VIP and Ralph O’Neal say were INVADERS and chided the NDP for inviting to the Territory? A set of damn hypocrites we have in Government! anything, just for a little power! SAD!
I wonder if that’s who he’s selling out the country to. How many locals involved in this?
@, Some people cannot be anything but negative. I am not going to try and explain to you how this event will benefit all persons (including locals) of the BVI. If you can’t understand that please do us all a favor stay quiet. Sometimes silence is golden!
I guess none or do you see anyone but uncle ralphie????
@, local contractors built the facilities and will be involved in building the villas in the next phase. Local restaurants will serve the guests and crews. Local taxi drivers will ferry these people around. Local Supermarkets will provision these boats. The Local Airport Authority will get the tax revenue as guests and crew fly out of the territory. And the Local Government of the BVI will get huge amounts of money (12%) every time one of these multi-million dollar villas is sold. Is that enough LOCAL benefiting from this venture, or are you just so greedy that you want to take everything without having to invest and take a risk?
@Wise,
What you smoking dude, there are marginally few local construction guys plus Yates gona get the contract who employs 90% expat, they (Oil Nut Bay, Bitter End, Saba Rock, etc) will get most of the restaurant money (where is the locals benefiting), Taxi drivers (these people are catered to from the time they come from the plane to the resort, not much more $$ for taxi), these boats provision in St. Martin before coming here (not much more for the supermarkets), government have a hiring freeze and would likely reduce employees (government benefits plus they have to make up the gap from these developments not paying importation tax, in which locals pay the full rate).
So who it benefiting? You need to know what you talking bout.
A realistic benefit is for these developments to pay for the education for our children, preservation of the eco systems through mandated donations and charitable contributions. I hear Ralphie is YCCS president and still representing the BVI as Premier, aint that a conflict of interest (which side he playing on).
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