Yacht Conference Hosts BC Jobs Minister

Charm

Organizers of the Pacific Yacht Conference, slated for May 28-29 in Vancouver, have confirmed that BC Minister for Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training, Shirley Bond, will deliver the event’s welcome address. The conference will provide a forum for Northwest yacht builders, refitters, designers, brokers, marinas and service providers to tackle issues and encourage growth in the industry.

 
“The yacht industry creates employment for skilled workforces and high-value tourism revenues for economies across the globe,” says conference organizer Lorna Titley. “Minister Bond’s…participation creates a strong impetus for both the Pacific Yacht Conference and the Pacific Northwest yacht industry itself.”
 
Set aboard the luxury harbour cruise yacht Magic Charm, the conference will address pilotage and regulatory issues, local cruising grounds, marina demand and supply, servicing larger yachts, and refits versus new-builds. 
 
Other confirmed speakers include yacht designers Greg Marshall, Patrick Bray and Ivan Erdevicki; Wes Vermuelen of West Bay SonShip Yacht Builders; Sara Anghel, National Marine Manufacturers Association; Peter Schrappen, Northwest Marine Trade Association and US Superyacht Association;  Don Prittie, president of Boating BC and general manager, Canoe Cove Marina; and John Nassichuk, general manager, Raven Marine.
 
 

Neptunus 650F Review

Neptunus 650F 400

By Andy Adams

Over the years Canadian Yachting has had the pleasure of doing several boat review articles on new Neptunus models and we are familiar with the qualities that Neptunus is famous for. They have all been exceptional yachts, but this is the one I would most want to own myself. It’s a personal choice and a matter of taste as to whether you would prefer to have a sedan express model or a flybridge but in my opinion, the flybridge layout offers some wonderful attributes.

We met with Neptunus Managing Director Jan Willem De Jong this past fall to take the new Neptunus 650F out in Lake Ontario. 

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Destinations

The Other Virgin Islands

Sunset off St John

By Mark Stevens

I was first seduced by the United States Virgin Islands during a ferry ride from St. Thomas to Tortola to begin one of our earliest British Virgin Islands charters nearly twenty years ago.

A perfect sunset off St. John with St. Thomas views for backdrop.

Clearing Pillsbury Sound, surrounded by voluptuous emerald mountains as the ferry sliced through royal blue waters, I was struck by the unspoiled ambiance of St. John, the island gliding past our starboard beam and the irresistible charm of a village called Cruz Bay visible from our quarter stern.

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