Logistics for the delivery of Bubista II
Once we had surveyors’ acceptance - travel logistics!
We had little time between the “availability” of the boat and our need to receive it. We could not travel to BVI, due to COVID restrictions. The Charter company would have to deliver it to us. We had expected to be able to fly in and stay on the boat directly, but we wouldn’t have any authorization because they wouldn’t move the vessel until we closed financially. We had to close before we left Rhode Island and then take delivery once we got to a place where the boat could be delivered …...Saint Thomas??? But, the boat is in the British Virgin Islands!!
Rallying cousins to help us
Since we needed to close immediately, using a bank was out of the question. Again, COVID hampered the transfer plans, every institution needed appointments that were too far out. Our next option - who could notarize the closing documents quickly? Fortunately, Carlos’ cousin Simonna is a paralegal and is very used to doing closings. She walked us through the 50+ pages of documents at her kitchen table with babies in tow. Bless this woman!
Simonna
All her help with the documents allowed the timing to work!! Thank you!!
Saint Thomas is our destination
Our destination is ST. Thomas
Lovely spot, have been there before on our way to BVI for another catamaran adventure.
In order to have the transfer cleanly, we would need to secure a spot in a marina in STT, which is the closest US port to BVI and allow Moorings to deliver it to that spot. The crew then returns to BVI (no disembark on US soil, or else they would have to quarantine in BVI) by way of a follow boat. As a backup, we exchanged a timeshare slot from our Maine retreat for a suite in STT, to give us someplace to settle before the boat was delivered. Luckily, Brother David could go ahead of us and secure the spot
Missing the first planned closing date - we lost First Class Seats (so sad) 😥
Shipping out of RI
John makes his way back to DC to home school with Mom. As part of my COVID assistance, he stayed with me and remoted in to his Kindergarten class in DC.
The truth of the matter is that the broker should do most of the work organizing the date of closing. He / she is the primary beneficiary of the transaction….other than the Charter Company. Logistics are ready, we continue to be stymied by information gaps from the broker and the financier. To have a plan in hand, I started to anticipate a November 2 trip to STT, a date that would have allowed a first class passage (yay!). This would be a fitting reward for all the time and patient persistence that Carlos and I had endured. I accompanied my grandson back to DC the weekend before our scheduled close. The problem is, by Friday, Oct 30, we were told that November 1st closing would not be possible and I had to move the flight to Nov 4. By that time, post presidential election, all the First Class seats were sold out. I was so disappointed, I cried.
Pulling it all together in the USVI
David left for STT on October 31, and we prayed that everything would be in place for us to see him there. He checked into the Frenchman's Cove resort with no problem that evening. More about our beautiful suite in the next blog.
The learnings here - communicate the urgency of a scheduled closing date with both the broker and with the financier. Unless they both understand the urgency, the date you want won't be on their radar. Without that goal established, any day is as good as another for those busy business people.
Travel, relaxing, finding a marina and wait
John was safely home in DC, getting reacquainted with his family and his garage school room. He had spent about 2 months in RI. We travelled by Delta to STT. Luckily, the middle seats were being held empty, although it was still nerve racking to be out in public. Flight was smooth and all of a sudden, we were in a beautiful suite in St. Thomas’ Frenchman’s Cove. Totally unexpected quality and service. The hotel was about ½ empty.
Leaving from Logan airport
The closest marina, Yacht Haven Grande, was right downtown, a short but treacherous walk on the narrow island streets. Arrangements were made with Moorings to deliver the boat to a marina downtown - Yacht Haven Grande. Meanwhile, there is nothing else to do but relax and enjoy the sun…..
Megen’s Bay
One of the first day trips we took while waiting……Crystal clear carribean waters, warm sun and sand, quiet beach. After all we have stressed through - what a relaxing break!!
In the next Blog
Charlotte Amalie is fun, even during a pandemic.
Snafu’s continue with the delivery.
Bubista II arrives, as well as the captains
Gearing up and provisioning for the long passage to FL
