AC: Hundreds Of Boats Expected To Visit Island
From superyachts to family cruisers, hundreds of boats are expected to come to Bermuda to enjoy the 35th America’s Cup in May/June of 2017, the America’s Cup organisers said today.
“We expect visiting yachts to make up a significant component of the visitors who will be in Bermuda during the America’s Cup in 2017,” said Harvey Schiller, the Commercial Commissioner of the America’s Cup.
“With mooring facilities in the heart of the America’s Cup Village, the America’s Cup Superyacht Regatta, the J Class Regatta, not to mention the five weeks of America’s Cup racing, the offering for visiting yachts is very compelling.”
Map courtesy of the ACEA click to enlarge:
“The America’s Cup is a great opportunity for Bermuda to showcase our fabulous sailing conditions,” said Mike Winfield, the CEO of America’s Cup Bermuda [ACBDA].
“The May/June dates are ideal for yachts traveling north from the Caribbean or west from the United States to watch some great racing and enjoy our island hospitality.
“One of our goals is to encourage sailors to experience Bermuda as a premium destination for future sailing events. With that in mind we will certainly promote wide participation from as many of the boating community as possible.”
“A new Superyacht offering has been released today [PDF here] while information for visiting yachts is detailed here [PDF],” the organisers said.
“Smaller boats will be able to moor at various locations around the island, including a mooring field in the Great Sound.
“Superyacht facilities are being offered in the America’s Cup Village in Dockyard as well as in Hamilton Harbor. All boat operators will be able to obtain spectator flags giving them privileged access to viewing areas around the race course area.”
“Bermuda is shaping up as a terrific destination for America’s Cup fans who want to come here with their own boats,” Schiller concluded.
Brain food time.
If that’s the case then will the average person be able to rent out their personal moorings ?
Now why would there be a demand for the use of a private mooring. Most of the visiting boats will be 50′ plus. How many locals have a mooring for a 50′er?
These visiting yachts will be perfectly capable of using their own anchors & have little or no need for a mooring. Spectator viewing areas will be strictly controlled. Pay to anchor in them &, oh yes, Government will get a piece of that.
We need to learn from Portsmouth. Loads of viewing for the common people there. Not just the “have yachts”.
All along the western shore of the Great Sound, from Dockyards to Morgan’s Point, in addition to Spanish Point, will be prime viewing, and from a higher (better) vantage point than a boat in the water. Calm down; the “common people” will have plenty of access to prime viewing, as long as the owners of the property along the shore allow visitors. Scaur Hill Park will be a great spot.
I don’t have a mooring I thought I was the average person…I guess I’m not
better pull your finger out St.George’s or lose out!
Now is the time to get a Peddlers Licence.
According da fella, “big things are going on…”
Hopefully the H.M. Customs and The Police Service are prepared for the influx boatd.
Hopefully we will get some clarification as to whether the same restrictions will apply to local vessels as well as visiting vessels. It does sound as though boaters will have to pay a certain amount of money to anchor close to the race course. I fear this may effectively push local boats out farther away from the course and the best vantage points.
Locals are going to complain if they have to pay to anchor in spectator areas for sure. It is that ‘entitlement’ thing. If it were not for the racing, there would not be any demand for anchoring there in the first place.
Sure it is public water but it is something like the Ag Show. Any other time of the year access is free. For the show you pay to get in. The AC is a special event. The AC is not a charity putting on things for free. The AC has big bills to pay so revenue will be sought wherever possible.
Locals will complain whatever happens. They will complain if there are too many visitors, or not enough visitors. They will complan that the AC is on for too long, and will complain that it’s over too soon. They want as many visitors as possible, so they can make as much as possible out of the event, but they expect to have front row seats for everything, having rubbished the event since the idea first came up. Locals will complain that the water is too wet and the sky is too blue.
You sound like a professional.
Many boaters anchor near Hawkin’s Island all the time, including myself. It is a popular area. It is just a shame that it sounds like there will be nothing to see with all the super-yachts blocking the view.
Maybe they show see the speed boat races so St Geo can get some of the action.
Every thing seems to be up west on that map.
Well…uh…Everything IS at the West End.
I read travelers cheques are accepted however, what bank is taking them as I understand none. Please check the information if it is not right or maybe I am not correct.
Good to hear!
You cannot be serious.Please, 100′s of private yachts??????
As we used to say in University…”I don’t know what you’re on, but I’d like to buy an ounce of it!”
The cool aid is running fast now.
It’s time to bring in “the Donald” to replace this group.
“Great racing and our island hospitality”.We haven’t had that since the ’70′s
What is Winfield being paid.
If boats are traveling west from the US they will take an awful long time to get here!
Bermuda needs to prepare for the onslaught of these visitors, ie tranportation! Prepare to welcome and treat our visitors like gold! We will be watched by the World. Let’s show them that Bermudians are the best hosts in the world!
Get ready…take extra special care of these good people.
“Superyacht facilities are being offered in the America’s Cup Village in Dockyard as well as in Hamilton Harbor. All boat operators will be able to obtain spectator flags giving them privileged access to viewing areas around the race course area.”
What about St G”s??!!!