Luxury mega yacht rentals and private motor yacht charters in Antigua
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Antigua means "ancient" in Spanish and named by Christopher
Columbus. Antigua has a population of 69,000. Their capital St Johns is
the home of the cruise ship industry. The airport is VC Bird International
airport.
English Harbor on the south-eastern coast is famed for its protected shelter during
violent storms. It is the site of a restored British colonial naval station
called "Nelson's Dockyard" after Captain Horatio Nelson. Today
English Harbor and the neighboring village of Falmouth are internationally
famous as a yachting and sailing destination with provisioning centre for
all luxury mega yacht rental vessels. These 2 harbors host the Annual
charter brokers yacht show during the first or second week of December
each year. They also host the famous "Antigua week" at the end
of April, which is a world-class regatta bringing sailors from all over
the world to have fun competing together. Immediately after the Antigua
boat week sailors wanting to sail home to the Mediterranean leave in flotilla
form to cross the Atlantic.
Christopher Codrington guided development on Antigua as a profitable
sugar colony. For a large portion of Antigua history, the island was considered
Britain's "Gateway to the Caribbean". It was located on the
major sailing routes among the region's resource-rich colonies. Lord Horatio
Nelson, a major figure in Antigua history, arrived in the late 18th century
to preserve the island's commercial shipping prowess.
According to A Brief History of the Caribbean, European and African diseases,
malnutrition and slavery eventually destroyed the vast majority of the
Caribbean's native population. No researcher has conclusively proven any
of these causes as the real reason for the destruction of West Indian
natives. In fact, some historians believe that the psychological stress
of slavery may also have played a part in the massive number of native
deaths while in servitude. Others believe that the reportedly abundant,
but starchy, low-protein diet may have contributed to severe malnutrition
of the "Indians" who were used to a diet fortified with protein
from sea-life.
Slavery
Sugar became Antigua's main crop from about 1674, when Christopher Codrington
settled at Betty’s Hope Estate. He came from Barbados, bringing
the latest sugar technology with him. Betty's Hope, Antigua's first full-scale
sugar plantation, was so successful that other planters turned from tobacco
to sugar. This resulted in their importing tens of thousands of slaves,
as sugar cultivation and processing was labor intensive.
According to A Brief History of the Caribbean, many West Indian colonists
initially tried to use Indians and whites as slaves. Unfortunately, these
groups succumbed easily to disease and/or malnutrition, and died by the
thousands. The African slaves had the misfortune of adapting well to the
new environment; and thus became the number one choice of "unpaid
labor." In fact, the slaves thrived physically and also provided
medical services, and skilled labor, such as carpentry for their slave
masters.
Today, collectors prize the uniquely designed "colonial" furniture
created by West Indian slaves. Many of these works feature what are now
considered "traditional" motifs, such as pineapples, fish and
stylized serpents.
Horatio Lord Nelson
Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson, was Senior Naval Officer of the Leeward
Islands from 1784 to 1787 on H.M.S. Boreas. During his tenure, he tried
to enforce the Navigation Acts. These acts prohibited trade with the newly
formed United States of America. Most of the merchants in Antigua depended
upon American trade, so many of them despised Lord Nelson. As a result,
he was unable to get a promotion for some time after his stint on the
island.
Conversely, the British considered Nelson a hero.
The Americans were at this time trading with Antigua and Barbuda, taking
advantage to register of their ships, which had been issued while they
were British subjects. Nelson knew that, by the Navigation Act, no foreigners,
directly or indirectly, are permitted to carry on any trade with these
possessions. He knew, also, that the Americans had made themselves foreigners
with regard to England; they had disregarded the ties of blood and language
when they acquired the independence which they had been led on to claim,
unhappily for themselves before they were fit for it; and he was resolved
that they should derive no profit from those ties now. Foreigners they
had made themselves, and as foreigners they were to be treated.
A dockyard started in 1725, to provide a base for a squadron of British
ships whose main function was to patrol West Indies and thus maintain
Britain's sea power, was later named "Nelson's Dockyard" in
his honor.
Political status
In 1967, with Barbuda, and the tiny island of Redonda as independencies,
Antigua became an associated state of the Commonwealth, and in 1981 it
was disassociated from Britain. The country was then led by what many
describe as an elected family dynasty, with Vere C. Bird, the first prime
minister, having been succeeded in 1993 by Lester B. Bird, his son, who
retained the post until 2004.
The anchorages of Antigua.
English Harbor, Falmouth Harbor, Carlisle Bay, Curtain Bluff, Jolly Harbor,
Deep Bay, Little Sister and Dickens Bay, Parham harbor, Guana Island,
Nonsuch Bay, Green Island, Willoughby Bay and Barbuda.
Here is a modern day example itinerary from the captain of Braveheart
Jerry Blair a well established charming captain of many years. |
| BRAVEHEART SAMPLE ITINERARY ANTIGUA AND
BARBUDA. |
The true potential of Antigua as a chartering venue has never been
fully appreciated. With beautiful anchorages amongst 365 beaches, which
Antigua is widely known for, and the nearby island of Barbuda, a natural
bird sanctuary, you will be sure of a great super yacht vacation in paradise.
Day 1 – Your voyage begins at the historic English
Harbor, once the main anchorage in Nelson’s time for the British
West Indies squadron. With a display of magnificent yachts, and an active
social scene of restaurants, it will easily get you into the holiday mood.
A Sunday visit to the famous Shirley Heights Lookout Bar & Restaurant
& BBQ where a steel band plays till sunset is a must. With a local
reggae band you can dance the night away with the best panoramic views
to add to your postcard of memories.
Day 2 – Downwind sail out of English Harbor to
Carlisle Bay, a palm lined white sandy beach. After a swim and leisurely
lunch set the sails towards Cades reef, sailing in crystal clear shallow
waters. Then your super yacht charter takes you further up the west coast
to anchor at Five Islands Bay, where there is no sign of habitation and
un-spoilt beaches. Further on is Deep Bay where the Andes wreck lies,
this is an exciting snorkeling spot. Enjoy a tranquil evening aboard Braveheart
or revel away the night at the Royal Antiguan Casino Hotel, dancing and
enjoying the music.
Day 3 – Sailing along the west into Dickinson
Bay is a perfect place to partake in the variety of water sports Braveheart
has available like windsurfing, kayaking, water-skiing, wakeboarding and
tubing, With a choice of restaurants lunch can be taken ashore in the
shade of a palm covered beach restaurant. Return to Braveheart for cocktails
watching a breathtaking sunset.
Day 4/5 – With a steady wind on the beam Braveheart
sails out into the open waters to the island of Barbuda. An island dedicated
to the heart of nature and is heaven on earth. In 1691 the Codrington
family leased the island from Britain for one fat sheep and imported slaves.
The shores offer unique snorkeling with living brown coral. Home to a
natural bird sanctuary Barbuda has an unusually large frigate bird colony.
There are endless pale pink beaches some stretching 11 miles. A stop over
of 2 nights is recommended to do this wonderful island justice.
Day 6 - With a reach back down the east coast Braveheart
arrives at Green Island, anchoring in the solitude of Rickett Harbor,
an exclusive bay. You are encouraged to take a dinghy ride and explore
Nonsuch bay, or relax under the shade of a palm tree in the Garden of
Eden, surely one of the most idyllic beaches in all the Caribbean.
Day 7 – Braveheart returns you to English Harbor
on a journey totally impossible to forget with wonderful memories.
Every anchorage in Antigua and Barbuda is characterized by beautiful
clear waters and beaches. This island jewel, set in the heart of the Caribbean,
fulfills the image of a perfect tropical paradise. Seven days is barely
sufficient to enjoy the multitude of things to do and places to see. We
look forwards to you joining us for the ideal prestige yacht vacation
of your life on board the catamaran Braveheart.
Captain Jerry Blair.
Braveheart 56 foot luxury catamaran. |
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