With the hurricane season in full sail and the damage to the US gulf states and the Caribbean from hurricanes Ike and Gustav already running into billions of dollars, Yachtline Insurance of London, one of the major providers of cover for yachts throughout Caribbean region and marine underwriters at Lloyds of London, are warning that in some places, many yacht owners are finding that they are not covered having not complied with the minimum requirements for their policy or taken out or declared the additional hurricane windstorm cover.

“We have insurance loss adjustors working round the clock, particularly on the Islands of Grenada, Jamaica and Cuba which took some of the worst damage from Ike and Gustav. In many places we have found damage to vessels that could have been avoided if the proper hurricane risk management had taken place”

Yachtline are pointing out that no matter who insures you, you should observe the requirements for hurricane yacht and boat insurance which are contained within your policy.

The Caribbean Yacht Insurance cover hurricane affected area is defined as north of 9 degrees North and south of 35 degrees North, west of 55 degrees West and east of 100 degrees West. For cover purposes this encompasses the region west from the Venezuela coast and Trinidad in the South to Cape Hatteras in the north.

The Hurricane season runs from June 1st to November 30th and all laying up conditions and procedures must be observed during this period for the yacht insurance to remain valid.

Monohull boats out of the water, should be protected in a purpose built cradle made of prefabricated steel. Heavy duty webbing should be applied to the cradle to anchor it down at at least four anchor points. All catamarans should be securely laid up ashore and anchored as above. Mast removal and storage on racks attracts cheaper yacht insurance premiums and should be observed if declared. However masts removed and properly attached to the hull is usually sufficient. All sails should be preferably stored safely, and all loose articles properly lashed down. If the boat cannot be removed from the water then stern mooring and guardianage should be arranged with the marina owners.

If boat owners take the simple precautions as laid out in their policy then the number of claims and losses disallowed will reduce. Follow the instructions given when making a yacht hurricane area policy declaration.

The bareboat charter company will give you maps, instructions on what to watch for, and information on where you need to stay while you’re out bareboating. But really, why would they worry about where you are?

The answer: because there are some surprising dangers if you venture outside the prescribed waters of the British Virgin Islands. Storms, pirates, and reefs all pose hazards that can do more than just ruin your vacation.

Perhaps the most common danger is overestimating your own skills with boating. Even if you have a boating license accepted by the charter company, do you really know what you’re doing? Can you handle sails with the crew you have by yourself, or do they need more seasoning? If there is any doubt in your mind, a day or two with a bareboat captain to train everyone might be a wise decision.

Storms are something you may worry about, especially during hurricane season. For the most part, the British Virgin Islands are free of sudden squalls, though you can expect afternoon showers to be common during summer. If you charter your bareboat in advance during hurricane season, make sure you also purchase vacation insurance. It is rare that a hurricane hits this area without warning, but it does happen occasionally. If you’re worried about the sky or wind, fire up the radio or head to shore. The charter company should be available to tell you what to do. Never try to ride the storm out yourself; while it’s true that boats near shore can be broken up by the wave action, ideally you should not be in the boat at all during a hurricane. If you are, stay in constant contact with the charter company so they can send you help.

Reefs are another hazard, but if you stay within the bounds of the map your charter company gave you, you shouldn’t find them to be a problem. If you do find yourself out to sea during a storm, they may become a problem, and you’ll want to steer well clear and downwind/downcurrent of them. Otherwise, just follow your maps.

Pirates are part of the history of the British Virgin Islands, and pirates still exist today throughout the world. They’re just thieves in boats, after all. If you’re in a boat by yourself on the sea, you are in a uniquely vulnerable position. The good news is that the British Virgin Islands are well-monitored by the U.S. Coast Guard and the BVI’s coast guard service, and pirates rarely venture into areas that are so heavily traveled. As long as you stay within the area prescribed by your charter company, you should be safe. Venture outside, and you may find some unpleasant surprises.

Most piracy around the Caribbean takes place close to mainland shores: Venezuela, Guatemala, Columbia, Brazil (where at least one wealthy yacht owner was killed), and other poverty-prone areas are most likely to have pirates operating offshore. On the islands, you’re more likely to find them near Trinidad. It is, however, a bad idea to pick up strangers without radioing shore first. Pirates sometimes masquerade as castaways or migrant workers. In addition, picking up a stranger may get you in trouble with the British Virgin Islands, as they do have a problem with illegal immigration and therefore have very strict laws. To protect yourself, always check first before picking up strangers, and pull in only at docks that your charter company recommends.

Avoid trouble in general. You’re on your vacation; don’t let it be ruined by mishaps.

If you are planning a Caribbean vacation, your destination should be the BVI (or British Virgin Islands). If you are unfamiliar with the BVI, they are the preferred place to sail for charter devotees everywhere-approximately 50 small islands and islets with white sandy beaches and turquoise waters. You’ll find upscale resorts, laid back villas, family owned restaurants, as well as excellent beachfront restaurants and bars. If you like the idea of island hopping and exploring gorgeous natural scenery, you will love a BVI bareboat charter vacation.

Why a BVI bareboat charter vacation? So you have recently received your sailing certification and you’re ready to captain your boat. Or you’ve loved sailing for years. Either way, you are ready for a bareboat-charter vacation in the British Virgin Islands. The BVI is lucky enough to have constant winds that are ideal for bareboat charters. Don’t worry-if you are not ready to sail alone, there are captains available to safely take you to your destinations. Either way, there are a few important factors you should take into consideration when planning your bareboat-charter vacation:

When would you like to go? Decide what time of year you or your family are available to take a vacation. The trade winds are best December through March, but July and August are always popular and May is a good choice as well. Bareboat-charter vacation spots may close the month of September into the first week of October, with charters typically ending around August 20th due to the hurricane season. What climate do you prefer? How warm/cold would you like your destination to be? If you would prefer a bareboat-charter vacation in a somewhat temperate climate, then the Caribbean in February is a better option then in May. Lastly, what budget are you working with? There are many affordable bareboat-charters for all budgets.

Your vacation will be a combination of these three factors. A bareboat-charter vacation in the British Virgin Islands is spectacular in that it’s easy to get to (about 2 or 3 hours away from the USA by plane) and full of gorgeous scenery to explore, beaches to relax on, and fun activities as well. Whether you like to fish, go shopping, snorkel, sunbathe, enjoy an active night life, or just experience the joy of sailing, a Bareboat-Charter vacation is perfect for you.