| The bareboat charter company will give you maps, | | | | bounds of the map your charter company gave you, |
| instructions on what to watch for, and information on | | | | you shouldn't find them to be a problem. If you do find |
| where you need to stay while you're out bareboating. | | | | yourself out to sea during a storm, they may become |
| But really, why would they worry about where you | | | | a problem, and you'll want to steer well clear and |
| are? | | | | downwind/downcurrent of them. Otherwise, just follow |
| The answer: because there are some surprising | | | | your maps. |
| dangers if you venture outside the prescribed waters | | | | Pirates are part of the history of the British Virgin |
| of the British Virgin Islands. Storms, pirates, and reefs all | | | | Islands, and pirates still exist today throughout the |
| pose hazards that can do more than just ruin your | | | | world. They're just thieves in boats, after all. If you're in |
| vacation. | | | | a boat by yourself on the sea, you are in a uniquely |
| Perhaps the most common danger is overestimating | | | | vulnerable position. The good news is that the British |
| your own skills with boating. Even if you have a | | | | Virgin Islands are well-monitored by the U.S. Coast |
| boating license accepted by the charter company, do | | | | Guard and the BVI's coast guard service, and pirates |
| you really know what you're doing? Can you handle | | | | rarely venture into areas that are so heavily traveled. |
| sails with the crew you have by yourself, or do they | | | | As long as you stay within the area prescribed by |
| need more seasoning? If there is any doubt in your | | | | your charter company, you should be safe. Venture |
| mind, a day or two with a bareboat captain to train | | | | outside, and you may find some unpleasant surprises. |
| everyone might be a wise decision. | | | | Most piracy around the Caribbean takes place close |
| Storms are something you may worry about, | | | | to mainland shores: Venezuela, Guatemala, Columbia, |
| especially during hurricane season. For the most part, | | | | Brazil (where at least one wealthy yacht owner was |
| the British Virgin Islands are free of sudden squalls, | | | | killed), and other poverty-prone areas are most likely to |
| though you can expect afternoon showers to be | | | | have pirates operating offshore. On the islands, you're |
| common during summer. If you charter your bareboat | | | | more likely to find them near Trinidad. It is, however, a |
| in advance during hurricane season, make sure you | | | | bad idea to pick up strangers without radioing shore |
| also purchase vacation insurance. It is rare that a | | | | first. Pirates sometimes masquerade as castaways or |
| hurricane hits this area without warning, but it does | | | | migrant workers. In addition, picking up a stranger may |
| happen occasionally. If you're worried about the sky or | | | | get you in trouble with the British Virgin Islands, as they |
| wind, fire up the radio or head to shore. The charter | | | | do have a problem with illegal immigration and |
| company should be available to tell you what to do. | | | | therefore have very strict laws. To protect yourself, |
| Never try to ride the storm out yourself; while it's true | | | | always check first before picking up strangers, and pull |
| that boats near shore can be broken up by the wave | | | | in only at docks that your charter company |
| action, ideally you should not be in the boat at all during | | | | recommends. |
| a hurricane. If you are, stay in constant contact with | | | | Avoid trouble in general. You're on your vacation; don't |
| the charter company so they can send you help. | | | | let it be ruined by mishaps. |
| Reefs are another hazard, but if you stay within the | | | | |