After visiting the Bahamas in January 2019, I was so impressed by the beautiful shores, incredible sailing conditions and sandy white beaches. The most striking part of the Abacos Islands are the beautiful people who call these islands home. The landscape, culture and sense of community make the Abacos Islands one of the most striking sailing destinations on this globe.
The effects of the Dorian
Devastatingly, the Abacos Islands of the Bahamas have suffered great loss and tragedy following the 185 mile an hour hurricane on the 1st of September that ripped away the lives and community of the Abacos Islands. Lives and jobs have been destroyed which risks in damaging the entire spirit and livelihood of many islands in the Abacos.
After visiting the Bahamas in January 2019, I was so impressed by the beautiful shores, incredible sailing conditions and sandy white-beaches however the most striking part of the Abacos Islands are the beautiful people who call these islands home. The landscape, culture and sense of community makes the AbacosIslands one of the most striking destinations on this globe.
Broker, Alice’s photographs of the Abacos and Marsh Harbour prior to destruction by the hurricane
When will it be back to normal?
Almost 90% of the infrastructure in the Abacos Islands has been destroyed in the force 5 hurricane. Not only homes, business and boats, but human life has also been lost due to the devastating hurricane Dorian.
The likelihood is that by April 2020 the Abacos infrastructure will be on its way back to normality. The best thing to do to support the people of the Abacos is to visit this destination to promote jobs and the economy to help save the Abacos Islands and the long-standing community within Bahamian paradise.
What is being done to help the situation in the Bahamas?
The USAID has reported to allocate $2.8 million in emergency supplies alongside the Red Cross. The UK Royal Navy will aim to evacuate Abacos sufferers to Nassau. If you are looking to fly to help this situation, the flight to Marsh harbor would be required.
How can you help the situation in the Abacos?
To support the Bahamas, do not stop visiting the island as the islands of the Exumas. They have not been greatly affected by hurricane damage and rely on tourism to thrive.
Pre-planning spared most of the boats in the Abacos and these boats were safely moved to the Exumas. Most of the Bahamas is safe to visit with minimalistic damage. The Abacos are the main sufferers of this natural disaster.
Based on the iconic Port Hercules in the principality of Monaco, the Monaco Yacht Show represents the height of exclusivity. Each year, the Monaco Yacht Show curates a display of more than 125 extraordinary one-off superyachts built by the world’s most respected and well-known shipyards and welcomes leaders from the yachting industry.
Yachts line the Harbour in Monaco – Monte Carlo
What’s at the Monaco Yacht show?
Here, around forty new launches are annually unveiled in a worldwide debut, attracting the yachting industry’s exclusive focus. 580 exhibiting companies and partners participate, with the show providing the ultimate showcase for industry influencers from the most reputable names in the yachting industry.
The MYS is the premier luxury event worldwide where visitors can discover the greatest aspects of superyachting against the glamorous backdrop of Monaco.
Here’s what we can’t wait to see!
BASH
BASH’s sophisticated black hull and cool beige superstructure exudes class. The elegant interior has a regal feel, showing traditional soft style furnishings in red and gold with ivory carpets and polished wood flooring.
The interior elevator gives access to all decks. BASH has spacious outdoor decks with shaded lounging areas and plenty of seating. The sun deck offers an outdoor cinema, Jacuzzi, sun pads and bar area with a beer tap. A teak beach club can be found at the swim platform allowing easy access to the water.
BASH presents a rare mixture of classical design with modern features both of which add to her exemplary status as one of Benetti’s finest productions.
ELYSIUM I is a breathtaking, brand new 2019 Riva Dolce Vita 110 crewed motor yacht.
The Riva 110 project, Riva’s new fiberglass flagship, is a promise of style, design, and performance to reach levels never seen before. The Riva 110 promises to be a magnificent and beautiful flybridge yacht, as well as larger than ever before.
The completely renewed hull design measures almost 110 feet in overall length, with a beam larger than 11 feet.
Characterized by a super sporty profile, the Riva 110 exhibits a large window in the hull with an integrated porthole. On deck, a long glass ceiling that stretches along the entire living room and it is formed by glass framed in stainless steel.
The aft is equipped with the innovative Submersible bathing platform, the exclusive movement system that Ferretti Group has patented, which has already convinced experts and triumphed during the Boat Builder Awards 2016 in Amsterdam.
Available for charter in the Balearics, we can’t wait to see this stunning yacht.
INCEPTION
The impressive ultra-modern interior features ebony wood with black steel accents and luxurious grey fabrics and brown leather.
Situated on the Main deck is a well-appointed study which converts seamlessly into a massage room, with the onboard masseuse available from 4pm onwards. There is also a formal dining on the Main Deck and further dining available on the spacious sun deck as well as a tiger’s eye stone bar with seating for four. The sun deck has a huge Jacuzzi for 12 people and a vast shaded area which is retractable over the bar area.
The Master cabin has a king size bed which rotates 360 degrees with panoramic views. The Owner’s deck has a private Jacuzzi, two hammocks which can be mounted either side, 4 sunloungers, an icemaker and fridge.
The full-beam VIP situated on the Main deck has a fold down balcony which sits directly over the water and gives exterior privacy to the guests. The views can be enjoyed from the chaises longues inside the cabin or from deck chairs on the balcony.
The forward deck has a seating area with a retractable canopy and incorporated surround sound speakers for when the 50″ tv is set up to make an exterior cinema.
80 SUNREEF POWER
The 80 Sunreef Power is a versatile yacht for long cruises in ultimate comfort, blending performance, autonomy and stability. Taking luxury and seaworthiness to a new dimension this exclusive multihull craft offers infinite options for a bespoke décor and layout. The vast alfresco relaxation areas of the catamaran include a full-beam forward terrace and an impressive flybridge. The power catamaran option will give an insight into the space available on 7X, a sailing 80 Sunreef available in Croatia.
Boasting huge volumes, with more than 340 square meters of living spaces and classically-inspired lines.
An expansive main saloon forms the heart of the yacht, as a gathering place to socialise, entertain and relax. The modern, minimalist décor includes teak paneling, backlit quartz, leathers, and chic styling. The main saloon is flooded with light and boasts stunning views out across the water, while large doors connect inside and out to create one huge living area. The saloon leads smoothly to the aft deck cockpit, which features an alfresco dining space, sun pads and easy stepped access down to the water.
In 2019, Storm Dorian destroyed the Abacos and Grand Bahama before skirting up the eastern seaboard making landfall on the eastern tip of Canada. Please see our “Bahamas after Dorian” page for current status of chartering and sailing in the Bahamas.
How did Dorian form?
Dorian forming
Dorian was formed on the 24th of August by a tropical wave. A tropical wave is a low pressure, orientated from North to South which moves eastwards. This then combined with the high air pressure which lies in the doldrums or Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), located close to the termal equator.
Tropical waves in the Atlantic develop from disruptions, which develop as far east as Sudan. They then drift across the continent into the Atlantic. These waves are either formed or enhanced by African Easterly Jet (The African easterly jet is a region of the lowest layer of the earth atmosphere, over West Africa where the seasonal mean wind speed is at a maximum and the wind is easterly).
The clockwise circulation of the large transoceanic high-pressure cell or anticyclone centered near the Azores islands, labeled the Azores high above image produces easterly waves away from the coastal areas of Africa towards North America.
When was Dorian at her peak intensity?
Peak intensity over the Abaco Islands on September 1.
Dorian intensified while moving toward the Abacos and close by islands, before becoming a hurricane on August 28th. The rapid intensification of Dorian meant that on August 31st, she was placed into Category 4 – a major hurricane. Less than 24 hours later, Dorian reached Category 5 intensity, peaking with winds of 185 mph and gusts of much more. A minimum central pressure of 910 millibars, the ‘normal’ atmosphere is 1013.13 mbar a huge decrease of pressure meant that she would become to be one of the most devastating hurricanes to hit the Bahamas.
This question is not to be confused with her wind and gust level. This is in relation to her track. Dorian stalled over the Bahamas for roughly 24 hours, 24 hours of heavy rain and gusts which lead to a 24ft storm surge.
Dorian in the Southern hemisphere over the Bahamas.
Data has shown that she was traveling as little as 1 mph. This is due to a rare natural phenomenon called the Bermuda high. As the name states, this is a high-pressure atmospheric system. Until the Bermuda high relinquished its ‘hold’ over Dorian, a low-pressure system moved across releasing Dorian, thus allowing her to move in a northerly direction
How can you help?
You can support the relief effort here Send/order any of these items listed below, to this address: Global Empowerment Mission 340 NE 59th Terrace, Miami, FL 33137
Life Jackets/Floatation Device
Large sturdy waterproof bags
Heavy-duty garbage bags
Solar fans/lights
Large tarps
Chain saws
Generators
Fuel/oil for generators
Non-perishable food items
Dry formula and dry milk products
Cleaning supplies
Mold remediation items
Hygiene products
Feminine products
First aid items and kits
Advil, Tylenol etc for adults and children
Hand sanitizer
Medical gloves
Masks
Diapers and Wipes
Baby food and formula
Pedialite (powder packs)
Gator aide/Electrolites/hydration powder
Rehydration salts
Tents
Flashlight
Batteries (especially D)
Matches/lighters
Repellent
Solar battery and solar chargers
30 gallon or larger storage containers with lids
Plastic wrap
Duct tape / packing tape
Hand saws
Work gloves
Can openers
Sanitizer/Sanitizer wipes
Water purification devices
Disposable plates and cups
Camp stoves
Butane tanks
Utensils
Nails
Wrenches/Hammers/Tools
Candles
Pet food canned and dry
Toilet paper
At this time we are in the Search, Rescue and Recovery phase and currently NOT accepting: Clothing, furniture, bedding, toys, charcoal and wood.
To the people of the Bahamas, on behalf of Boatbookings, we look forward to seeing your recovery and booking many more life-changing and memorable charters in your stunning country. You are all in our prayers.
We were horrified watching Category 5 Hurricane Dorian camp out over the Bahamas for 2 straight days, and then seeing the damage this storm has wrought. Our thoughts are with the Bahamians and all of the people who call these islands home.
We will keep you up to date about the progress of rebuilding these islands, and when it is reasonable to visit again. In the long run, the best thing you can do is to ultimately charter or vacation there, as it brings back the funds they need to rebuild their lives.
Please see our “Bahamas after Dorian” page for current status of chartering and sailing in the Bahamas.
The BVI went through a similar disaster and rebuilding process virtually two years ago this week. They are now almost completely rebuilt, and many were open for business within 6 months. Islanders are incredibly resilient people. We hope the Bahamas can rebuild this quickly as well.
Have you always wanted to spend your holiday on the water but thought that it was out of your financial reach? Yachting has never been so accessible, especially when you compare the prices against a high end Caribbean resort.
Take a look at our BVI Crewed Catamaran Breakdown to show you attractive it can be!
Chartering a yacht has a single base price, so split the cost between family or friends and get an amazing deal. You have the whole experience for a segment of the cost. Spending a week on ALTESSE would be just over $3,000 per person – where else will you find such incredible value for the care, attention and quality that you will enjoy? We have a wonderful Pricing and Affordability guide to explain all further.
Shopping Around
All Brokers use the industry standard platforms and therefore have access to the same yachts at the same prices. It is incredibly beneficial to select your Broker carefully to build a solid business relationship and give your vacation the best chance of success. Playing the field will only drive the price up!
Our Brokers visit the yachts and destinations first hand so that you are able to make an informed decision. They look forward to showing you the best vacation to date.
