Burgess joins YachtAid Global in Caribbean relief efforts

Following the recent hurricanes in the Caribbean, in particular Hurricane Irma, Burgess has announced that it has been working with the owners, captains and crew of a number of yachts in the Burgess fleet to assist in relief efforts.

In a recent press release, representatives at Burgess said, “As the Caribbean is a destination visited by most large motor and sailing yachts at one time or another, many of them have a strong sense of allegiance to the communities on the islands. It was therefore befitting that in this time of need, both Burgess and its fleet of yachts should endeavor to give something back to the islands following the devastation wreaked by the recent hurricanes.

“Burgess has been overwhelmed by the response from owners, captains and crew within their fleet, many of whom have led from the front when it comes to finding proactive ways to assist.”

As part of its efforts, Burgess has sent motor yachts Sequel P and Katharine to the Caribbean, loaded to the gunwales with essential supplies to help with relief efforts.

On Friday 27^th October, M/Y Katharine explained on its Twitter account that it loaded 5,200 jars of donated baby food and a pile of plywood in France, for crew to deliver to the hurricane ravaged island of Anguilla in a couple of weeks: “Katharine is working alongside YachtAid Global in an effort to assist the local communities of the Caribbean to get back on their feet.

“We cruise to the Caribbean every year and are always given a warm welcome by the locals, and so the crew are eager to give back and to do our part to help the communities on Anguilla and other islands to recover from these devastating hurricanes, and we challenge all other yacht crews to do the same.”

Already in the Caribbean, having delivered aid to Dominica, is motor yacht Va Bene. Also working with YachtAid Global, Va Bene arrived from Palma de Mallorca fully loaded, went back to Antigua, loaded again, and returned once more to Dominica.

Captain Nick Line updated Burgess during the return leg to Dominica: “We were so humbled by the welcome we received and how helpful everyone was, from the clearing agent to the officials. Everyone pitched in to assist in the offload, customs cleared us out before we had even finished and within eight hours of arriving we are now on our way back to Antigua to load more supplies.

“We really could not have asked for, or received, any more help than we were given.”

Va Bene is now heading to Florida to participate in the Burgess sales line-up at the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show from 1st to 5th November.

From the US, motor yacht Grey Matters carried a yacht-load of charitable donations in early October, delivering aid taken on board in Fort Lauderdale to St Maarten and Barbuda. Donations included batteries, flashlights, clothing, baby food and products, hygiene products and medical supplies. 

Slipstream has also joined forces with YachtAid Global and EcoMer launching an initiative to round up donations of materials, such as carpentry tools, construction equipment and machinery which are desperately needed by the islands for the rebuilding efforts. She will deliver these essential supplies to the Caribbean in December and the crew will also be volunteering logistical hands-on support to local communities over the course of the winter.

Donations and offers of aid can be coordinated by visiting YachtAid Global's website.