Joining Instructions BVI

• Passport (s)
• Flight Tickets (Check names shown on the flight ticket match those shown on the individual passports)
• Travel insurance documents (make sure you have coverage for sailing)
• The skipper is advised to bring original copies of sailing certificates/licences
• Credit Cards/Debit Cards and local currency (US dollars), USD travellers cheques are also widely accepted. You must bring a VISA or MASTERCARD credit card with you for the yacht security deposit
• Mobile phone set up for roaming in the BVI 's and charger – it is very important that you can keep in contact in case of emergency as VHF signal is only line of sight
• Beach towel (yacht towels are provided for use on the yacht). If you have a late flight home we recommend bringing another towel if you wish as yacht towels cannot be kept after you disembark on the last day
• Snorkels, mask and flippers if you have them, or you can buy them locally 
• Soft soled shoes &/or deck shoes
• Swimwear
• Light jumper or light fleece
• Waterproof jacket (especially in early and late summer in case of a shower)
• Hat & sunglasses (with cord)
• T-shirt/tops and long sleeve casual shirts/tops
• Shorts and casual long trousers
• Toilet bag with toiletries
• Suntan cream (protection)
• Sea sickness pills if required
• Insect Repellent 
• Anti-histamine ointment and tablets (for insect bites/stings) & any essential medication
• Camera, batteries & spare memory cards
• Your choice of device for playing music on board + lead with a 3.5mm jack plug at each end and a USB connection lead
• Books/magazines/Kindle
• Travel adapter for charging phones etc. (at marinas or even in restaurants)
• 12 volt adapter / car charger for charging phones, etc. on-board (onboard with a car type cigarette lighter socket)

Before your charter begins a security pre-authorisation 'hold' deposit is taken from the Party Leader which will be processed by the owner/operator at base (please see amounts below) by VISA or Mastercard credit card (Debit cards and American Express are NOT accepted). Make sure you have a large enough limit to cover the deposit for the yacht you have booked. If you do not possess a VISA or MASTERCARD credit card you must inform us BEFORE you travel as your charter can't commence without the completed credit card security deposit. On successful completion of post charter inspection the pre-authorisation 'hold' deposit charge will not be completed and the 'hold' will elapse. The time it takes for the ‘hold’ to elapse depends on your card provider.

You will more than likely already have travel insurance set up but if not you can get specialist yacht travel insurance which includes some coverage for yacht security deposits from a number of companies including Topsail.  As a customer of Island Sailing if you use discount code ISLAND you will receive a 10% discount. For more details visit http://www.topsailinsurance.com/island-sailing

Option One - Yacht Damage Waiver (YDW) and Reduced Security Deposit: Mandatory for skippered charters

The YDW is a non-refundable fee, the amount is dependent on length overall of yacht which reduces your liability per incident to the amounts below which will be taken as a pre-authorisation 'hold' deposit (Security Deposit) as follows:

Option Two - Security Deposit Only: Available for bareboat sailing only

Briefings are held the next morning from 08:30. When you are on board you will be given a full safety brief and a chart brief if required by one of the knowledgable base team.

If you arrive after 17.00 we will let you know where your yacht is berthed and it will be open and ready for you to board. Late arrivals can find their yacht via the Scrub Island Resort reception or on the notice posted on the office door. If you have booked a skipper they will be at the marina for your arrival. You will receive your yacht brief and handover the following morning after the base office re-opens at 08.30.

For those on a Skippered yacht charter you will meet your skipper, they will show you around your yacht and chat about where you would like to sail.

If you arrive after 17.00 we will let you know where your yacht is berthed and it will be ready for you to board. If you arrive outside of base opening hours, guest names and boat locations are posted on the office door or you can find your boat location from Scrub Island Resort reception. If you have booked a skipper they will be at the marina for your arrival. You will receive your yacht brief and handover the following morning after the base office re-opens at 08.30. If you arrive early before your yacht is ready you can relax and enjoy the facilities at the resort whilst you wait. If you have a late flight home you can relax at the resort before your onward travel. 

You will need to return to the marina on the penultimate afternoon of your charter. 

When returning, go stern to and do not use your anchor, there are mooring lines. The base support staff make every effort to help you moor safely, therefore please call them 1 hour prior your arrival back to base to receive your berth guidance.

You will be able to stay on the yacht on your final night and enjoy relaxing at the resort. Please disembark by 10:00 on the last morning.

Most of our customers spend €80 - €200 per week on fuel for the yacht depending on the size of the yacht and the amount of motoring they do and to top up the fuel for the outboard engine if they have one.

If you have chartered one of the larger yachts or catamarans with generators and air-conditioning, you will use more fuel depending on how much you use the air con!

Mini tankers deliver fuel directly to the yachts. When returning to the base, please refuel your boat and fill up your outboard engine can. The base team will advise you on the procedure for re-fueling.

Mooring fees at base for your first and last day are FREE, this includes power and water. You will pay for mooring at marinas and mooring buoys. Mooring buoys cost between around $30 - $65 per night. Payment can be made at the bar managing the moorings, or usually, someone will come out to your boat to take payment. Dockage in marinas currently starts at $1.50 US per foot per night.

An outboard engine is included with every yacht for it's dinghy/tender and the optional outboard engine. 

Most restaurants, café bars and shops around the islands accept cash (USD) and credit or debit cards. However, over the course of the week, you will probably only visit one or two towns with cash machines so it is advisable to have enough cash for the entire charter before you leave port. US dollar traveller's cheques are also widely accepted.  

You will need to bring a VISA or MASTERCARD with you for your yacht security deposit. Please make sure you have a large enough limit to cover the deposit for the yacht you have booked.

The yachts are not equipped with Wi-Fi as standard, however some of the yachts have a router on board and you will be able to connect to the Wi-Fi hotspot - you can pay per day or per week. There is internet access in some cafes and Wi-Fi hotspots, but you may need to pay. There is free Wi-Fi at the marina base.