How did Hurricane Dorian start?

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 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.

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Tropical waves explained

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.

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Why was Dorian moving so slowly?

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.

Posted on September 10, 2019 by Alice Newnham

Bahamas Strong

Bahamas after Dorian — The beauty of the Bahamas will return!

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.

Bahamas Strong.

Posted on September 7, 2019 by admin

Yacht Charter Pricing Explained

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!

BVI Catamaran vs. BVI Resort

	Crewed BVI Catamaran	BVI 5 Star Resort
Price per Week	$27,000 (ALTESSE \| Lagoon 560)	$30,000 (4 Sea View Rooms)
Gourmet Meals	Included	$8,400 ($150 / Day / Person)
Drinks	Included	$1,400 ($50 / Day / Person)
Daily Watersports	Included	$2,800
Excursions	Included	$2,000
Transfers	Included	$150
Total	$27,000 (Plus Gratuity)	$44,750 (Plus Gratuity)

Chartering with Friends

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.

Posted on September 5, 2019 by Ben Sutton

Enjoy a stop-off at Sea Containers house prior to your charter.

Travelling

If you are traveling in from the Americas or further afield it might be worth adding a London stopover to combat the dreaded jet lag. Sea Containers will get you into the spirit of your charter which is a nautical-themed 4* hotel. Conveniently located just a short 7-minute walk from the well-connected Blackfriars station, this hotel is ideally located for an easy commute from one of the 5 airports based in and on the outskirts of London.

Architecture

Sea Containers House immediately immerses you in architectural brilliance. With the opening reception hallway resembling a brushed copper hull, it’ll get anybody in the mood for life at sea. The copper colouring provides warmth to the expansive reception area that you wouldn’t necessarily expect from a metal heavy interior.

12th Knot

The upmarket hotel is furnished in an industrial come nautical way which fits in perfects to the industrial history of London. Overlooking one of the most famous rivers in the world, watch the clipper yachts and cargo boats drift by while relaxing in the 12th Knot Bar, situated in the top floor of this impressively built building. Look east and soak up the London Skyline.

Immerse yourself in luxury with an extensive, well thought out menu that matches the seasons perfectly. With breakfast, lunch, and dinner available all under one roof – you cannot go hungry. With reasonably priced dishes, small plates, and sharing plates alike providing a great range of culinary delights. From Ceviche Tacos, seabass, coriander salsa to Whole Roasted Corn-fed Chicken, confit onions there will be something for everyone.

Stopping off in London is the best place to enjoy a varied, culturally vibrant city with fantastic links to the rest of the world. With direct flights to thousands of yachting hot spots around the world including, Greece, Croatia, Caribbean, Italy, and Asia it’s the perfect hub to start your holiday from.

Get in touch with us today to experience London before you embark on your charter. Wherever you are in the world, be sure that Boatbookings can provide a door to door service.

Posted on September 3, 2019 by Alice Newnham

Top 10 tips for your bareboat yacht charter

Top 10 tips for a bareboat yacht charter with Boatbookings Broker Alice shares her top 10 tips prior to doing a bareboat yacht charter. Including the do’s and don’t to make sure that you have a great charter on the water.

1- Bring a hard copy of your sailing certifications.

A hard copy of the relevant sailing certifications is due upon embarkation of the yacht in any country. If you cannot bring the sailing certifications with you, you may not be allowed on the boat.

Note that the specifications for sailing certifications vary from country to country.

European requirements for a yacht charter:

Croatia: Day Skipper/ ICC/ International equivalent + valid VHF licence for smaller catamarans and most monohulls. For larger catamarans in Croatia, the yacht master certification is sometimes required. Greece:
Greece: Day Skipper and ICC are often required.
Mediterranean: Day skipper (or equivalent)/ ICC.
Caribbean: Detailed sailing resume with charter experience on similar sized vessels.
Asia: Detailed resume alongside qualifications in certain areas.

Bring soft bag luggage onto the boat.

This is not a mandatory requirement for a bareboat charter however it certainly helps with space onboard. Typically on a monohull or a catamaran, the cabins are not oversized so taking a soft bag does help with storage onboard. It also saves the decks and prevents any harm or damage being caused to the boat.

3- Be aware of extra costs

The bareboat concept is essentially just the boat. Other costs such as cleaning, a starter pack, and a handling fee are usually covered in the charter fee. Mooring fees differ from port to port however can range for a bareboat from €25- €60 per night. These are payable in cash on spot so remember to take cash with you.

4- If you have chosen a skipper- trust the skipper’s knowledge.

Although your broker can give you an insight into the best boats, destinations, restaurants, bars and sailing grounds for your charter the skipper is the best person for itinerary discussion. Upon embarkation, you will be given both a safety briefing and an itinerary briefing for the charter. Be aware that a 10% gratuity of the charter fee is usually given at the client’s discretion.

5- All bareboat charters in the Mediterranean run on a Saturday – Saturday basis. This is not the same for the Americas, the Caribbean or Asia.

Most of the boats are chartered on a back to back basis throughout the summer (high) season in the Mediterranean. Embarkation time is at 1700H to set sail the following morning. Disembarkation is usually early morning and requires the charter vessel to be back in port the prior evening.

Mediterranean charters also solely run on a weekly basis and cannot do 10-day charters in high season. Most reputable yacht charter bases only run charters on a Saturday- Saturday basis.

In the Caribbean and Asia, charters do not run on a Saturday- Saturday basis. You can rent a boat for any period of time in these charter destinations.

6- Using the base manager as a go-to throughout the week.

The base managers are always a phone call away throughout the week. If you require any assistance with regards to the boat, breakdowns and general maintenance issues throughout the week keep the base manager as your first port of call. Upon embarkation, if any issues are encountered, the base manager must be made aware of this.

7- Reserving moorings for the charter.

This is up to you to organise if you have specific marinas you wish to stay in. In the majority of cases, you can just check-in and out of the marinas however, it is sometimes recommended to reserve a berthing spot. Marinas in Croatia are continuously busier and you need to be there pretty early on in the day to get a spot in your preferred marina.

8- Transportation to and from the boat.

Boatbookings can only assist with this service if the base provides it. The Boatbookings charter brokers organise the boat, not the transportation to and from the boat for bareboat charters. Taxis are always available from the airport and some locations have UBER as an option.

Uber is a great option in the South of France and Croatia for your yacht charter. Be sure to check out Uber Boat in Croatia and to look at Uber Copter in the South of France to get you to your charter.

9- Provisions

Some bases provide the service to do online provisioning prior to embarkation. This is not always the case and varies on a base-base basis. There is always the option of heading to a supermarket prior to embarkation on the yacht. It is advisable to buy basic provisions such as sunscreen, toilet roll, cleaning products, drinking water, and dry foods.

10- Take photographs and make memories for a lifetime.

Catch sunsets, swim in the clearest waters in the world and make memories with friends and family that are unforgettable. No matter what size the boat is, the waters and destinations are all the same and pave for the best holiday that the globe has to offer. Be sure to invest in an underwater GoPro before heading on the charter.

Get in touch today for any bareboat/crewed charter requests.

Posted on September 1, 2019 by Alice Newnham