Shelly Tucker from the yacht Three Moons finally is regaining her voice and has logged in.

Shelly’s Comments: I’ve finally had a couple of days to breath and have begun the process of sending formal “Thank You’s” to everyone that attended the show. (I still haven’t fully regained my voice!) Jim, thanks so much for your personal support of VICL and the 33rd Annual Show with your Internet reporting! The wave of excitement is continuing to carry us on to more positive projects for the local marine industry in the Caribbean.

The grand opening of the 33rd Annual Charter Boat Show, in my mind, was like unwrapping a long awaited present. I never dreamed when I contacted Governor John deJongh, Lieutenant Governor Francis R. Gregory, Senator Lewis Hill, Commissioner of Tourism Beverly Nicholson Doty, and West Indies Corporation’s President Edward Thomas, that they would not only attend and speak at the Boat Show, but also stay and enjoy the festivities on Thursday night that was in their honor.

The island is still buzzing with the news of the success of the first show at Yacht Haven Grande. Media releases are being typed, the best photos from the show are being collected & chosen for release and our thoughts are already turning towards the planning for next year’s Boat Show.

Yacht Haven Grande has already given their formal approval for hosting the show next year! Ken Criswell, Island Global Yachting Caribbean Regional Manager, Marina Manager Kristin Fritz and Derrick Franklin have all given their approval to proceed with planning for the 2008 show. We need to finalize the dates with the BVI Charter Yacht Society; but right now, it looks like it’s going to be November 10th, 11th and 12th of 2008. Announcements will be made soon to the Charter Leagues and the Charter fleet.

I feel we’ve developed a good working relationship with Yacht Haven Grande with respect and trust for each other. With the feedback we are receiving from the show attendees, we should be able to easily surpass this year’s event in size and scope of creating three days that deliver value to all attendees.

Everyone at Yacht Haven Grande was wonderful to work with. Their professionalism and willingness to jump in there and help get the job done was much appreciated. They worked hard to facilitate a good experience for everyone. Many of the yachts had not docked at the marina before. It can be nerve wracking docking at a new marina; but not at Yacht Haven Grande! They were completely smooth and efficient! All the restaurants did a beautiful job of making sure that our show attendees were well fed and happy. Excellent service at a world class marina is what Yacht Haven Grande is all about and they exceeded everyone’s expectations!

I suppose the funniest thing was simply seeing all our friends and brokers that we’ve known for many years go all out with their costumes for the Pirate Party! It was amazing to see so much “Piracy Participation”!

I really enjoyed seeing how many yacht crews and brokers attended the seminars hosted by the West Indies Corporation. One of the requests that we had from everyone this year was to “educate us”! The wine seminars, rum seminars with the Bacardi Ambassador, and the marine related seminar hosted by lawyer Mike Fitzsimmons were well attended. They all had great reviews!

Michael Fitzsimmons, the local Virgin Island admiralty and maritime attorney, and former charter boat skipper and dive instructor, spoke about several unique aspects of maritime law including maritime liens, insurances issues, and common causes of lawsuits against vessels and owners. He took questions from the audience concerning liability waivers and limitation of liability laws. The attendees of this seminar raved about the information provided.

One of the members of the VICL Board of Governors happened to be on a plane full of charter yacht brokers departing St. Thomas. He reported that the brokers were ecstatic with the success of the show and cannot wait to come back for next years event – the 34th Annual VICL Boat Show! Just wait ’til you see the events we are planning for next year’s show! It will blow your socks off. ( You know Jim, I don’t remember ever seeing you with socks on – ever! )

Shelly Tucker – Yacht Three Moons