What a night that Director Erik and the Team put together for the Governor’s Reception!

Talk about a party with EVERYONE decked out in their finest “Black & Whites”, tonight was it!  The Andrew Douglas Steel Pan Band was the hit entertainment for the night.  Andrew is from Trinidad, the home of steel pan, and showed us how to play the pans!  The charter yacht suppliers were showing off their best stuff with samples for all to enjoy.  And there was plenty to drink, because thirst is a dangerous thing, expecially within the charter yacht industry.  I think I even remember a few Brokers who were a bit out of shape for the type of parties the Captains and Crews are accustom to.  But, let’s get back to the honored government guests at the event. Lt. Governor Francis, Senator Hill, Commissioner of USVI Tourism Board Nicholson Doty,  Lt. Commander Grant – USCG, and Director Mel Vanterpool of Homeland Security.

It was a night of honoring the charter yacht industry for their contribution the economy of the USVI, and an opportunity to have the elected USVI officials address the issues of how their administration is supporting the growth of tourism and of the charter industry.  Their remarks were focused on the reality that,  “…2008 has been one of the most challenging years for the USVI economy!”   That is an understatement given the hurricanes that touched the Virgin Islands, the issues facing the airlines industry and their proposed cut backs in flights to the Caribbean, and the financial meltdown of the U.S. economy.  It was a time of “straight talk” about what the USVI is facing with Tourism as the foundation of their economy.  However, they also let the audience know what the USVI government is doing to create a healthy Tourist economy, which is critical to the Charter Yacht Industry.  During their remarks, and also during my discussions with Gov. deJongh in past months he has made the following reports regarding how they are addressing the critical issues of supporting a healty tourist economy:

1. Governor John P. deJongh, Jr. has participated in a series of meetings in New York City with investor groups in the past few months that are considering major investments in the Virgin Islands and particularly in St. Croix.  Resorts, industry, and real estate will create more visitors and more jobs.
2. He sent V.I. Tourism Commissioner Beverly Nicholson-Doty to Florida for meetings with her Public/Private Sector Airline Committee and American Airlines.  American was planning to cut 40% of their flights  to the Caribbean on September 1, 2008.  Ms. Doty and her committee met with Peter Dolora from American Airlines and was instructed to not let the meeting end until they committed to reinstate their Winter flights to the Caribbean. The results are that American’s once-a-day flight between Miami and St. Croix will began again on November 2^nd.  The daily flight between New York’s JFK Airport and St. Thomas will resume next week November 20^th, and a second flight will be added on Fridays starting December 18^th.  American’s flight between Boston and St. Thomas will run on a twice-weekly schedule starting November 2^nd, and on December 18^th, it will be back flying five days a week.  This was a BIG result that is requiring a joint advertising and marketing plan with the various USVI tourist industries to be implemented through 2009.
3. The Six-Pak law  is still in effect and Gov. deJongh agrees it needs to be overturned.  He has worked closely with Director Erik of the VICL and Shelly Tucker from s/v ThreeMoons  to present a position paper that can be used with the Federal Government to have this law overturned.  The challenge the Governor has had this year in moving this initiative forward has been the non-stop challenged presented this year as stated above.  All of us know the incredible benefits that the repeal of this law would have within the Charter Yacht industry.  Director Erik and your VICL Board will continue to press for this issue to become a priority.

And…the Governor’s Reception party raged on!  It was another night of fellowship with old friends, and meeting new friends.  The Charter Yacht industry is made up of some of the finest people I have ever met.  Now, back to our berths, and preparing for another day of viewing the charter fleet.  More to come tomorrow with feature articles on many of the yachts and crewmembers attending the show.  Until then…sweet dreams.