Caribbean: Assessing the path forward

The impact of Hurricane Irma and Marie in the Caribbean is severely testing the resilience of the region. While it is economically critical for the islands to regain their footing and welcome guests to this treasured area, these are difficult days to know exactly the path forward. Here are two updates to share.

• The 2017 Caribbean NOOD Championship Regatta, to be held in the British Virgin Islands on October 22-27, has been cancelled due to Irma. The event is the annual competition that attracts the overall winner from each of the five NOOD events held throughout the USA during the year.

• The status of the 44th St. Thomas International Regatta (STIR), planned for March 24 to 26 out of St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, is under review. A statement from the event: “Organizers of the St. Thomas International Regatta (STIR) would like to thank the international sailing community for its well wishes in the wake of back-to-back Hurricanes Irma and Maria. We are currently in an assessment stage and plan to issue a formal announcement about our 2018 regatta schedule in the next two weeks.” More event information here.

Cruising World magazine is compiling an ongoing list of ways to donate and help with hurricane relief… click here.