Editor’s note: AJ Anderson is CEO of Wright Maritime Group, a large–yacht support and operations organization. Equally important, he’s a captain with 43 years’ experience, including running superyachts. He originally wrote the following article on LinkedIn. We are republishing it with his permission, in hopes that it will inspire others to do exactly what he hopes, too.
My wife was at an industry function last week and listened to a few charter agents speak about clients cancelling their Caribbean charter vacations this year instead of changing to ports lower in the Caribbean that had not been affected. My wife asked what I would do in a charter client’s position, and my short response was I would probably cancel also. I would feel terrible to be anchored off in the Grenadines enjoying the beauty and the fine services of the crew, knowing just a hundred to two hundred miles north so much suffering was taking place.
Then it occurred to me, if I could afford to charter such a yacht, that it would be the charter of a lifetime to take my family on a yacht “vacation” to help support the devastated islands. If you are that person, you would call a few of your friends who would also be able to afford chartering a large yacht to do the same thing. Creating a sort of armada of vacationing families that would be led by experienced crew and professionals with relief-effort experience. Planning and provisioning specifically with the known area needs. Explaining to the charter families what the mission was, building their interest, and then going to work together to help others.
What could be better than that?
Would yacht owners offer a reduced rate? Would charter agents provide their service commission free? Would crew turn their charter gratuity into a local area donation or tell the charterer to add it to the original provisioning?
What could be better than that?
This is an unusual opportunity to take what may look like a broken charter season with lost vacations to an experience that will change the lives of everyone allowed to participate. For the charter families and crews, it is a rare honour to be in a position to directly, in person, help others survive and then rebuild. Next winter, or the winter after, you will charter again and return with your family to see what you helped to make happen.
Longtime activist Capt. Mark Drewelow has the experience and information on how to bring aid to these areas. Have your charter agent and charter captain contact Mark for how this might come together.
On the other hand, if it is too much for your family at this time, you can still make a difference. Go to Mark’s organization’s website, YachtAid Global.
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