TravelTalkOnline Forums Travel and Vacation Forums British Virgin Islands Capt referral

Good morning ttol

We will visit BVI for the first time after the new year. Just my wife and I on a Monohull

Based on our unfamiliarity with the waters, moorings and anchorages and to assure a more relaxed and easy trip we will hire a Capt to join us.

Any recommendations for hiring a Capt privately? Thanks for any suggestions and help.

Steve

If you are chartering, I would always get the captain through the charter operation. Any side arrangement risks complicating the liability for all parties.

why do you think this? There are plenty of qualified Captains who do not work for the charter companies, probably most of them.

If you hire a skipper through the charter company the company assumes all liability for the boat. If you bring your own skipper you will be responsible for the boat.
G

I second that if you want crew either go the crewed charter route where you charter a specific boat and the crew that comes with it or use one of the better charter operators that is willing and able to contract for a skipper or more at the same time. You want one agreement for the entire package on the water and a single team focused together on any issue. If there is some special free lance independent captain you want as your crew? I would start with that person and have that person work the details out for the boat. The first choice would be a captain you want to spend a week with on a boat he or she owns and operates. There are some who advertise/sponsor here on this site.

As a charter capt for lots of years, we would suggest that who ever you are chartering your vessel through, you talk to them, tell them what you are looking for in a skipper and somethings about yourselves. Your experience, what vessels that you have skippered, where you have sailed, how frequent.

I would think that you would want to be a major part of handling the boat, and trading off helm watches and navigation duties. Also, wondering if you have a BVI Cruising Guide that you can study, and select what islands and anchorages that you wish to visit.

There is a lot going on during your departure day. Chart Briefings, Vessel Systems Check out, loading and stowing provisions, and personal gear.

It really is important to learn all of the systems, rigging, instruments, lines, and inventory on board, and the skipper can help you out with all of that.

Just FYI, and how we would handle it to keep life easy and smooth.


The reason that I say, since this is not your own vessel, to have the charter company that you are with provide a skipper is that insurance is covered, the capt is well acquatinted with the vessel and the systems, knows the procedures of the company, and everything will be easy and smooth. NO surprises. Plus any problems with the vessel he is going to get them solved in short order.

Thank you for the great comments. I understand the advantages of using a Capt through the charter company and will certainly explore that option. Was just curious to see what comments and suggestions would come from this group, if I see any specific recommendations.

I have the cruising guide and am reviewing all. Thank you

It is my understanding (at least with charter company I use) that all the fee for "captain" goes directly to the captain, and none retained by the charter company.

I would second the liability advantages of the charter company picking the captain... (at least in US legal system, this would likely take a lot more liability off the customer)

Several years ago we hired Julian Putley as our Instructor Skipper through TMM We really enjoyed our time with him. He was patient, knowledgeable and fun( he wrote drinking mans guide to BVI)

You could inquire hiring him via your charter company.

Cheers,

Tony

There are plenty of great captains, and as many bozos out there, for hire.

The above suggestions are great. You can get a great captain either with or without the charter company. The better captains likely do not work for a charter company, as they are then able to take longer jobs, and go further than the BVIs.
The BVIs don't qualify for most sea time, a vital part of moving up the certified captain chain.

We got Julian as our Captain randomly thru TMM on our first charter a few years ago. (for an ASA certification sail) We recently contacted him directly and were able to have his wife Monique @SunfunBVI Vacations (www.sunfunbvi.com ) secure the boat we had picked out thru BVIYC at the same price so we were only dealing with a single company. He certainly knows the area, is a lot of fun and is willing to let you do as much as you are capable/comfortable with.

thank you again for your comments and suggestions... all good.

Regarding the use of a capt, i am fine with the boat. My wife will be happier with another sailor on board to relieve her of any heavy responsibility with the boat. It's really about having that extra hand on board and having someone with local knowledge as we have never been to BVI before.

thanks again for all the great tips!
Steve

As many others have suggested, hire a captain through the charter company; easier and the liability/insurance issues are handled by the charter company. I recommend asking for Julian Putley. We had him onboard for three days as an instructor/skipper in 2009 and I can't imagine anyone better. He was a great skipper, a great instructor and a lot of fun. Ask for Julian Putley; you will not be disappointed.