Hopping from one Superyacht to another in the BVI
Little Harbour an anchorage on Peter Island in the British Virgin Islands was the location chosen by the Captains of Panache and Tenacious as the ideal spot for us to transfer us from one yacht to another.
Before that however, I needed to visit an old friend lying underwater off the neighbouring island of Salt Island. The wreck of the Royal Mail Steamer (RMS) Rhone lies in two parts having been destroyed in a hurricane that swept through the islands in October of 1887. The deeper part lies in 25 metres and is a splendid dive for the moderately experienced diver. It was used as the backdrop to the movie “The Deep”, starring Nick Nolte and Jacqueline Bissett.
The dive boat belonging to Blue Water Divers collected me and transported me to the site for a two tank dive. The deeper bow section first and the stern section complete with ships boilers and massive propellers as our second dive.
During the dive I was lucky enough to see turtles, lobsters, grouper, large yellowtail snapper and an assortment of other fish living in the wreck.
While I was diving, Michael was affecting a seamless transfer from one boat to another. It is always sad to leave a boat and bid farewell to a crew who have looked after us so well but our welcome aboard Tenacious was nothing short of delightful.
Captain Duncan Hipkin and his crew of four are a young and enthusiastic team whose sole desire seems to revolve around the wishes of the charter guest and making them as happy as anyone can be here in Paradise.
Tenacious is beautiful and was built to the designs of Ted Hood and Andrew Winch, talk about pedigree! She is a sloop 35 metres overall and charters through Fraser Yachts for $60,000 per week.
The yachts four staterooms each have flat screen TV, DVD player and Direct TV, intercom and phone service. The very comfortable Master Stateroom aft in which we are staying has a King bed, private access to aft deck, two heads – one with shower and one with bath each finished with a beautiful white marble tile and gold accents.
On deck casual cushioned seating with a generous awning transforms for alfresco dining around a portable table for eight guests. The covered cockpit where we ate our lunch has seating for 8 at 2 tables. These convert from coffee tables to dining tables.
Forward of the cockpit in the raised pilothouse is the spacious full width salon with cocktail tables, casual upholstered chairs a full entertainment system and a concealed helm station. The area is filled with natural light from the large windows, which offer us an 180o view.
A concealed day head is forward of the salon near the winding stairway leading to the den and the dining room. The den to starboard provides a quiet area where we can relax on the soft leather sofa and read, watch TV and play games or work on our computers.
The dining room on the port side is accessed through the French doors leading from the den or from the main entrance off the spiral staircase. Soft lighting, a leather bench along the wall and cushioned chairs provide a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere.