ANTIGUANICE YACHTING INSIDER NEWSLETTER

Following devastation from Hurricane Irma in September 2017, the yachting industry came together to collect and distribute aid items to affected islands around the region, including Barbuda. One yacht in particular, SY Slipstream, has continued efforts and recently arrived in Barbuda to deliver more aid items.

In April, Phil the Skipper of SY Slipstream, met Rose a lady in Barbuda who still didn't have a roof and gave a donation towards it.

The Captain and crew vowed then that they would come back and help Barbuda. In August they put a call out at the boatyard they were located in in Palma and wrote to more than 40 contractors that they regularly work with to get donations to buy specific items needed in Barbuda. They worked in tandem with Ecomer on that list as they wanted to make sure they were donating things actually needed rather than just giving Barbuda things people wanted to donate.

The result was following their Atlantic crossing they picked up customs and immigration at Crabbs Marina in Antigua and motored straight to Barbuda. There they moored outside River and proceeded to fill their tenders with aid which was taken on to the River Dock. Local residents were delighted and donations were being specifically sent to the Red Cross, and the Hospital.

Phil hopes that other boats will continue to deliver aid and work with Ecomer as it’s still much needed on the affected islands.

We thank Phil and the crew from SY Slipstream for all the help they have given the Caribbean and Antigua and Barbuda specifically. Years ago this started when they adopted the then Amazing Grace, and continues annually as the crew save some of their tip money to donate to needy people in the many destinations they visit year round.