There’s good news for the hundreds of thousands of boaters who use the 1,100-mile Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AIWW) each year to recreate, either as part of their home waters or cruising America’s “Marine Highway 95,” transiting the AIWW’s ten states from Norfolk, Virginia to Key West, Florida.

The Fiscal Year 2024 Energy and Water Appropriations bill recently passed with bipartisan support and with additional funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, is delivering $48.5 million to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) for a FY 2024 work plan to address critical waterway maintenance and dredging issues in five states. The breakdown of funding is as follows:

• Virginia: $5.3 million
• North Carolina: $26.6 million
• South Carolina: $8.5 million
• Georgia: $4 million
• Florida: $4 million

The waterway’s chief advocate, the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway Association (AIWA), has worked for more than a decade to restore sufficient dredging funding to return the waterway to its authorized depth of 12 feet. The Waterway was authorized in the 1939 Rivers and Harbors Act and the USACE is responsible for its maintenance. Shoaling in certain locations continues to threaten passage of recreational and commercial vessels.

AIWA members include Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS). Said BoatUS manager of government affairs and AIWA board member David Kennedy. “The Intracoastal is used by many kinds of boaters and anglers, and dredging is critical to safety and the economic development that boating brings to waterfront communities. This latest win, along with more sustained support for other shallow draft harbors, gives promise that the boater’s voice is being heard in the halls of government. Our thanks to AIWA for helping to deliver these dredging funds that help ensure safe navigation.”

“It was not that long ago that we had zero federal dollars for dredging, and the waterway’s future was being questioned,” said AIWA executive director Brad Pickel. “We thank Congress, the Biden Administration, and all of our local state partners and members for helping to deliver these critical USACE funds.”

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Raymarine is offering a $7,000 sailing package giveaway, as sponsor of the Storm Trysail Club’s 2024 Block Island Race, scheduled for May 24, 2024, in Stamford, Connecticut.

The performance sailing-electronics prize package features Raymarine’s all-new Alpha Performance Displays, whose high-bright, touchscreen instruments feature wide viewing angles for excellent visibility from anywhere onboard. Alpha’s extensive data dashboard options and widgets also make critical sailing, navigation and performance data easy to interpret at a glance.

The fully equipped Raymarine prize giveaway also includes a pair of Alpha 7 instrument displays, an Axiom+ 9 chartplotter, the new Raymarine Smart Wind transducer, the DST810 Smart depth and speed transducer, an Augmented Reality bundle pack, and all the cables, mounts and accessories needed for installation.

Skippers and crew who are participating in the Block Island Race are automatically entered, but anyone can participate. The winner will be announced at the Block Island Race awards ceremony on May 26.

In addition, 2024 Block Island Race participants who purchase a new Raymarine AIS700 transceiver from any Raymarine dealer or reseller before May 31, 2024, will be eligible for a $200 prepaid Visa card rebate.

“We have always been supporters of sailors who enjoy the challenges of offshore sailing and regattas that promote safe but exciting offshore competition,” said Jamie Dery, vice president of Raymarine Americas. “The Storm Trysail Club’s Block Island Regatta sets the stage for expert sailors to compete in some of the most challenging conditions in the sport.”

The Storm Trysail Club is a private club dedicated to blue water sailing. Membership currently numbers over 1,200 individuals and is by invitation only to expert offshore sailors who have experienced storm conditions and are capable of commanding a sailing vessel in such conditions. Established in 1938 and headquartered in Larchmont, NY, the club has a long history of sponsoring inshore, distance and offshore sailboat races, and supporting the interests and needs of sailors.

To enter the Raymarine giveaway, visit stormtrysail.org/win-a-raymarine-performance-sailing-prize-package/.

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IMTRA, a leading manufacturer of products for the marine, energy and transportation industries, was honored as the employee-owned company of the year by the New England chapter of the ESOP Association. 

The Massachusetts company is fully owned by its employees and has spent more than 70 years in the commercial, industrial and marine markets. The award honors companies that show a strong commitment to employee ownership, a news release said. 

The award puts IMTRA in the running for national recognition. ESOP Association is the largest employee ownership advocacy organization in the world. 

“We place a high value on being part of the ESOP community, with all these companies that support each other, share best practices and help each other be better employee-owners and organizations,” Eric Braitmayer, IMTRA president and CEO, said in the news release. “I’m excited by how impactful becoming an ESOP has been for our company culture. Our team is embracing what it means to be owners of IMTRA and we expect our customers and suppliers will benefit from this enhanced engagement by our teammates.”

IMTRA’s service philosophy, across all its marine product lines, is to ensure that customers select the correct product for their specific boats. The company’s Learning Center is a great resource for everything boaters need to know about their boat’s equipment and systems. Everything from product overviews, product comparisons, buying guides, troubleshooting guides, maintenance tips and more can be found HERE, and it’s always being updated.

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Balance Catamarans is preparing for the premiere of its newest Balance 442 catamaran. The debut is scheduled to take place at the International Multihull Boat Show in La Grande Motte, France, from April 3-7.

The owners of the latest 442 model, which has been christened Lasai, are the couple known as the “Tipsy Nomads” online. They’ve been using the boat for the past few months in the Mediterranean, including cruising it to the Cannes Yachting Festival.

Their YouTube and Instagram channels include photos and videos from these first days on board Lasai.

On the Balance 442, Cruising World editor-at-large Herb McCormick described his experience aboard the model as “a 44-foot catamaran that punches above its weight, and a performance-oriented platform that’s also ideal for ocean sailing and living aboard.”

“Under sail … I truly began to appreciate the 442’s proportions, and came to realize what an ideal-size boat this is for a cruising couple,” said McCormick. “It’s large enough to address most any cruisers’ plans and itinerary, but not so big that you need to bring additional crew on board to go cruising.”

Read his full report on the model HERE.

More about Hull No. 6 of the Balance 442: Phil Berman, founder of Balance Catamarans, calls Lasai a stunning catamaran with ecologically sourced bamboo veneers on its handmade cabinets. “We are looking forward to showing her off at La Grande Motte this year,” he said.

Where to learn more: click over to balancecatamarans.com

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Bitter End Yacht Club continues to gain momentum since the resort reopened in late 2021. The iconic resort, located in North Sound, Virgin Gorda, BVI has been a haven for sailors and watersports enthusiasts since 1969 with a litany of ways to play in, on and around the water. Now, in the early months of 2024, Bitter End Yacht Club emerges with a wave of excitement, unveiling a treasure trove of new offerings to their watersports program.

Sail up to Bitter End’s state-of-the-art Quarterdeck marina, where you’ll be greeted on the dock by one of the most professional and enthusiastic crews the BVI has to offer, sure to give you the full scoop on all the bustling property’s ongoings. From there, just a short walk down the sugar sand beach, past the only sunken-boat-turned-bar in the BVI, you’ll find the Watersports Shack, where BEYC’s team of experts will get you acquainted with their club fleet of sailboats, windsurfers, wings & foils, SUP boards and more. Whether you’re a serious sailor, or dipping a toe in, there’s no shortage of ways to enjoy and learn on the North Sound.

“It is heartwarming and exciting to see our Club Fleet growing again with new sailboats, paddleboards, kayaks and whalers exploring our watersports playground…” said Lauren Hokin, founding family member. “Our Club Fleet is central to the Bitter End experience. We are thrilled to welcome new opportunities for adventure and education on North Sound as we chart a course towards an even brighter future.”

In addition to private lessons, adventure sailing and Bitter End’s (in)famous Beer Can Regattas, the team has added a number of new boats, and activities to their line-up for the 2024 season.

Sporting the resort’s emblematic cleat on their Bitter End Provisions gear, sailing instructors Gemma and Geoff excitedly rig the latest additions to the fleet: two neon yellow RS Zests. In collaboration with Zim Sailing, North America’s largest small boat manufacturer and distributor, the versatile dinghies have traveled nearly 2,000 miles to complement BEYC’s existing fleet. These vessels, reminiscent of the ILCA and Sunfish class, combine speed with stability, promising an exhilarating day on the water for sailors of all skill levels. With the RS Zests at their disposal, adventurers set sail to explore the hidden coves and azure waters of Virgin Gorda and neighboring islands. Marina Manager Nick Putman says, “The RS Zests have been an amazing compliment to our fleet. We wanted to bring in a monohull platform that was high-performance for experienced sailors, but also approachable enough for junior sailors or someone new to the sport. I don’t think there’s been a single day those boats haven’t left the beach since they arrived!” 

Beyond the RS Zests, the return of Kinto Sprauve’s weekly snorkel excursion has been cause for celebration. Pre-Irma guests will remember heading out beyond Prickly Pear Island to explore some of the BVI’s most colorful reefs, one aptly named for Kinto himself. With a fully packed cooler onboard, guests can dip below the surface to discover kaleidoscopic reefs teeming with sea life. From Eagle Rays to the BVI’s Spiny Lobster, each dive is a revelation, a testament to the boundless wonders of the Caribbean’s aquatic ecosystem.

For guests seeking a bit more tranquility, a morning mangrove paddle or stand-up paddle yoga class is in order. Enthusiasts converge atop paddle boards for a not-too-serious fusion of fitness and tranquility. With the backdrop of a protected cove on the quiet south end of Bitter End, paddle board yoga sessions offer a soulful retreat, while the mangrove paddle is perfect for taking in the flora and fauna of the BVI with a moderate workout.

As visitors chart their course through the watersports offerings, Bitter End beckons with a promise of unparalleled, bespoke experiences, just like they have been for over 50 years. From paddle boarding to snorkeling and the thrilling addition of RS Zests to the growing Club Fleet, every moment spent at this maritime haven is a celebration of the seafaring spirit.

What’s next on the horizon for Bitter End? Stay tuned…

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The three men who escaped police custody in the Caribbean and are accused of hijacking a catamaran and tossing an American couple overboard have been charged with murder, police said Thursday. 

The Royal Grenada Police Force announced that Ron Mitchell, a 30-year-old unemployed man; Atiba Stanislaus, a 25-year-old farmer; and Trevon Robertson, a 23-year-old unemployed man were charged with capital murder in the presumed deaths of Ralph Hendry and Kathy Brandel. They were also charged with escaping lawful custody, housebreaking, robbery and kidnapping. Stanisclaus faces a rape charge. 

Hendry and Brandel’s bodies have not been found. 

The three men, all from Paradise, St. Andrew, are accused of escaping police custody from South St. George Police Station on Feb. 18 before hijacking the Simplicity in Grenada the next day. Hendry and Brandel, experienced sailors, were on their final voyage with the Salty Dawg Sailing Association when the tragedy occurred. 

Police believe the men killed the couple as they sailed from Grenada to St. Vincent. The men were arrested in St. Vincent on immigration-related charges before authorities extradited them to Grenada this week. 

The couple spent their retirement aboard the Simplicity, where they spent summers in New England and winters enjoying the Caribbean, according to a GoFundMe created for the family. The boat was moored at Grand Anse, which is near the police station the men escaped. 

Simplicity was found abandoned in St. Vincent, Salty Dawg said. Investigators found evidence of a struggle and possible blood onboard. 

“We live in [a] world that at times can be cruel, but it’s also a world of profound beauty, wonder, adventure, love, compassion, caring, and faith. Our parents encompassed all those values and so much more,” the couple’s sons said in a statement.

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The three men who authorities believe hijacked a catamaran in the Caribbean and tossed the American passengers overboard will be deported from St. Vincent following a judge’s order Monday, The Associated Press reported. 

Trevon Roberston, a 19-year-old unemployed man; Abita Stanislaus, a 25-year-old farmer; and Ron Mitchell, a 30-year-old sailor; appeared in a St. Vincent court Monday after the three pleaded guilty to immigration charges. The men will be sent back to Grenada “as soon as practicable,” Senior Magistrate Colin John ordered, according to the AP. 

The three men had escaped from police custody in Grenada on Feb. 18 and are accused of hijacking Simplicity, a sailing catamaran owned by Ralph Hendry and Kathy Brandel. Authorities announced the couple is presumed dead. 

The bodies of Hendry and Brandel haven’t been recovered. The men haven’t been charged in the couple’s deaths but instead faced immigration-related charges for illegally entering St. Vincent. 

The couple, experienced sailors, were on their final voyage with the Salty Dawg Sailing Association when it “took an unthinkable turn as Simplicity was found abandoned in St. Vincent, bearing chilling evidence of a violent struggle,” said a GoFundMe created for the couple’s family. 

Evidence discovered aboard Simplicity suggests there were “acts of violence,” police said. Investigators found what is believed to be blood on the boat. 
The couple’s children, Nick Buro and Bryan Hendry, said in a statement they remain optimistic in the search for their parents, who “lived a life that most of us can only dream of, sailing the eastern coast of the United States, living on their home Simplicity, making friends with everyone they encountered, singing, dancing and laughing with friends and family.”

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Caribbean authorities on Monday announced that an American couple sailing the Caribbean on their 48-foot St. Francis catamaran, Simplicity, were presumed dead after police say their boat was hijacked by escaped prisoners from Grenada. 

Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force spokesman Junior Simmons said during a news conference that Ralph Hendry and Kathy Brandel are presumed dead after the couple’s disappearance. Simmons said authorities believe the couple was aboard their boat Simplicity when it was hijacked by three men accused of escaping police custody the day before. Their bodies haven’t been recovered as of Thursday afternoon.

The couple, experienced sailors, were on their final voyage with the Salty Dawg Sailing Association when it “took an unthinkable turn as Simplicity was found abandoned in St. Vincent, bearing chilling evidence of a violent struggle,” said a GoFundMe created for the couple’s family. 

Men accused of hijacking boat after escaping custody 

Grenada’s Police Commissioner Don McKenzie said Monday during a news conference that Trevon Robertson, 19, Abita Stanislaus, 25, and Ron Mitchell, 30, escaped custody at South St. George Police Station on Feb. 18. 

The escapees are accused of hijacking the Simplicity on Feb. 19. The boat was moored at Grand Anse, which is near the police station. While traveling to St. Vincent and the Grenadines from Grenada, “they disposed of the occupants,” police said. The men haven’t been charged in the couple’s disappearance. 

The men were later captured by St. Vincent authorities and were charged with immigration-related charges, to which they pleaded guilty. They are scheduled to appear in court Monday for sentencing. 

Evidence discovered on the Simplicity suggests there were “acts of violence,” Simmons said. Investigators found what is believed to be blood on the boat, and items were strewn around. 

Roberston, Stanislaus and Mitchell were charged last year with one count of robbery with violence. Mitchell also faced rape charges, authorities said. 

Children cling to hope

The couple’s children, Nick Buro and Bryan Hendry, said in a statement Tuesday they remain optimistic in the search for their parents, who “lived a life that most of us can only dream of, sailing the eastern coast of the United States, living on their home Simplicity, making friends with everyone they encountered, singing, dancing and laughing with friends and family.”

Buro and Hendry said they were coordinating with the United States Embassy, American officials and the governments of St. Vincent and Grenada.

“While the end of their life may have been dark, they brought light, and that light will never be extinguished from the hearts and minds of the people who knew, loved and cared so deeply about them,” the children said. 

Hendry and Buro said in a Saturday statement they “applaud the St. Vincent authorities for their quick actions in securing Simplicity and their brave, swift response that led to the apprehension of three dangerous fugitives.”

Simplicity discovered by ‘good Samaritan’

The Salty Dawg Sailing Association, an educational nonprofit based in Rhode Island, said in a Feb. 22 statement that Executive Director Tatja Hopman learned the Simplicity was found anchored and abandoned on a St. Vincent beach. 

A “good Samaritan” boarded the boat and discovered evidence of violence. Longtime SDSA members Hendry and Brandel had sailed the boat in the 2023 Caribbean Rally from Hampton, Virginia, to Antigua. The couple decided to spend the winter cruising the Caribbean, the association said. 

The association has a tracking map where they can follow members’ boats. Simplicity’s tracking information shows that the boat was anchored in Grenada before sailing to its last anchorage in St. Vincent, the association said. 

“I have spoken to the families and have offered our deepest condolences and our assistance in any way possible,” said SDSA President Bob Osborn. “In all my years of cruising the Caribbean, I have never heard of anything like this.”

UPDATE: Grenadines Boat Hijacking Suspects Charged with Murder

The post What To Know About Missing US Couple Sailing Caribbean appeared first on Cruising World.

The Moorings and its sister company, Sunsail, are powerhouses of the charter industry. Their bareboat and crewed offerings can be found all around the world, including the Americas, Caribbean, Mediterranean and more exotic locales such as the Seychelles, Tahiti, and Thailand. 

In the British Virgin Islands—long the most popular destination for bareboating—the company now has 19 new monohulls, 35 new sailing catamarans and 24 new powercats as part of its fleet. These 78 yachts reportedly have a combined value of $70 million, and bring the two brands’ combined number of boats to 254.

The company, in a press release, called the additions to the BVI fleet “a welcome influx of inventory in time for peak sailing season in the Caribbean and another step in the continuous renewal of the sister companies’ fleets.”

Also in response to increased demand, The Moorings and Sunsail have stepped up their hiring process. They’re already one of the largest employers in the Virgin Islands, with a workforce of 300 employees.

“As a business, we have invested heavily in our BVI operation,” Josie Tucci, vice president of sales and marketing for The Moorings and Sunsail, stated in a press release. “As the largest charter operator in the world’s most popular charter destination, we take great care to ensure a welcoming experience for our guests, and have gone to great lengths to maximize the guest experience through our marina revitalization project, and new fleet replenishment. Ultimately, our aim is to provide an unparalleled customer experience to the many thousands of visitors we welcome each year.”

According to the company, charter business in the British Virgin Islands has been experiencing annual double-digit growth. There are new direct flights to the islands out of Miami, landing at Tortola, with all expectations for another strong year in 2024.

The Moorings also has a base at St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, with itineraries that explore around that island as well as St. John and St. Croix. Much like the British Virgin Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands is a destination that’s well-suited for first-time charterers as well as returning veterans. As The Moorings says, “The smooth cruising conditions, combined with the sensational views, countless islands to explore, and laid-back island living make St Thomas one of the best destinations in the world to visit on a sailing vacation.”

How long has The Moorings been in business? Since 1969.
How to book a boat for a bareboat or crewed charter: Click over to moorings.com

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ANNAPOLIS, Md. (Oct. 12, 2022) – Cruising World magazine today announced its roster of nominees for the 2023 Boat of the Year awards. Testing for the awards is taking place during and after the U.S. Sailboat Show in Annapolis, Maryland, which begins today along the shores of Chesapeake Bay.

Sixteen boats – 11 monohulls, and 5 multihulls – have been nominated for the 2023 Boat of the Year prizes. The annual awards, selected by an independent judging team, recognize the best new production cruising boats and multihulls laid out and equipped for coastal and offshore sailing and voyaging. This year’s judging panel is comprised of systems expert Ed Sherman of the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC), and longtime sailors, editors and award-winning marine journalists Mark Pillsbury and Herb McCormick.

“Once again, sailboat builders have raised the bar, putting up a worthy fleet of contenders ranging from comfortable cruisers to wave-piercing performance models,” said Herb McCormick, Cruising World Boat of the Year director. “We have one of the most well-rounded fleets in years, and we can’t wait to get out and put these new boats through their paces.”

The 2023 Boat of the Year awards will be announced in the January issue of Cruising World. The full list of nominees is below. For more information, contact Herb McCormick (boty@bonniercorp.com) or visit cruisingworld.com.

Cruising World’s 2023 Boat of the Year nominees include: Balance Catamarans 442, Beneteau First 36, Beneteau Oceanis 34.1, Dufour 37, Elan 50.1, Hallberg-Rassy 400, Hanse 460, J/Boats J/45, Lagoon 55, Lyman Morse LM46, Moody DS41, Nautitech 44 Open, Neel Trimaran 43, Fountaine-Pajot Tanna 47, Tartan 365, and X-Yachts X4.3.

Running parallel to Cruising World’s tests in Annapolis this week, the Sailing World magazine Boat of the Year program has narrowed its list of nominees to 11 boats, including four dinghies, five offshore-oriented raceboats, two performance cruising multihulls, and four recreational dinghies. Sailing World’s independent judges—Chuck Allen, Greg Stewart and David Powlison—will be tasked with selecting one overall Boat of the Year from the field following thorough inspections and sailing tests on the Chesapeake next week.

“Our Boat of the Year Awards are so well respected in the industry because the builders see firsthand how in-depth the judges go when reviewing each and every boat, on land and on the water,” said Dave Reed, Sailing World’s editor and Boat of the Year director. “One exciting element this year is the number of recreational dinghies, which is essential for the continued growth of the sport—boats that are relatively inexpensive and provide easy access to the water.”

The nominees or Sailing World’s 2023 Boat of the Year Award are: Beneteau First 36, Lyman Morse 46, X-Yachts X4.3, J/45, L30, MiniCat 310, Tiwal 3R, Nacra 500 MKII, SOL, Balance 442 and Neel 43.

About Cruising World: Cruising World is sailing enthusiasts’ passport to exploring the world’s coastlines and oceans while voyaging under sail. Its contributors inspire and entertain through stories, pictures and videos that underscore the beauty and adventure of sailing, while providing instruction on the disciplines of seamanship, navigation and boat handling. The Cruising World community is made up of experienced, committed sailors and boatowners. Cruising World’s mission is to nurture their dreams with practical how-to information and stirring real-life adventure features. For more information, visit cruisingworld.com.

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