Luxury Sailing Yacht Necker Belle to Aid Virgin Islands

The following article appears in Superyacht Times:

By Georgia Tindale

It has been a devastating storm season for the Caribbean, with hurricanes Irma and Maria causing widespread and catastrophic damage to islands including Barbuda, St. Barths, St. Martin, Anguilla, the Virgin Islands and Guadeloupe. Although media attention has moved away from the Caribbean, the islands must now deal with the destruction caused by these storms.

In the British Virgin Islands, Irma left total devastation behind her. However, due to the BVI being “too wealthy” as a British overseas territory, the British government said it is unable to use its £13 billion fund dedicated to international aid and emergency situations to assist them.

In response to this, Sir Richard Branson, the owner of Virgin Limited Edition, is offering his resources, including the 32-metre luxury sailing catamaran, Necker Belle, to aid the relief efforts. Although his Necker Island Resort was devastated by Irma, Necker Belle managed to leave with her captain to Barbados, escaping any major damages.

The 32-metre sailing yacht is now returning to the BVIs full of humanitarian supplies offered by her owner to help the locals of the Virgin Islands. The owner has teamed up with the charity, YachtAid Global to provide the islands with humanitarian support, and is working hand with the British government in the efforts to help rebuild the BVIs.

Virgin Unite, Unite BVI and Virgin Limited Edition are working together with local communities and organizations to repair the damage caused by the hurricanes, and to assist the residents with their recovery. All the organization’s overhead costs are being covered by the owner of Necker Belle directly, and all donations will be dedicated to rebuilding the BVIs. If you would like to support this fundraising effort, you can donate to the BVI Community Support Appeal.

As the Virgin Islands have a tourism-based economy, it is vital that tourism continues in the BVIs to support the inhabitants in their recovery. Necker Island hosts two major events a year: Necker Cup, a Pro-Am tennis event, and the Necker Open, an exclusive golfing event. To ensure that these events, and tourism as a whole, continue in the BVIs, many participants and previous guests of Necker Island have offered their help in rebuilding the island.

In addition, two special events are being held later in the year, with the theme “Rebuilding Lives After Irma – Disaster Relief in the British Virgin Islands.” All proceeds from the events will go toward the relief fund.

Although restoration following Irma and Maria will take years in the BVI and elsewhere in the Caribbean, you can help those affected through volunteering or donating.