Island Real Estate BVI Blog

New local airline added to the Virgin Islands aircraft register
January 29th, 2009 1:40 PM

Government Information Service

The BVI reached a significant milestone in civil aviation development for the Territory.

VI Air Link, an air transportation company owned and operated by Captain Neville Brathwaite Jr., became the first commercial aircraft to be added to the Virgin Islands (UK) Aircraft Register since the Territory achieved Category One status, under the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) International Aviation Safety Assessment (IASA) Programme.

The twin turbo-prop nine-seater Beechcraft King Air was registered with tail number VP-LNB at a ceremony held yesterday to mark the historic occasion.

Minister for Communications and Works the Honourable Julian Fraser, R.A. speaking at the ceremony expressed his congratulations to the Brathwaite family who owns and operates VI Air Link.

"It is a proud day for civil aviation in the BVI. It is the day we see the return to service of one of our very own airlines. It is the day we were able to facilitate the registration of the aircraft for that airline, within the best class of certification there is-Category One," he said.

According to him, "this achievement is not the end as there is more work left to be done. In order to retain the categorisation of the BVI in IASA Category One, it will be necessary to satisfy the FAA that effective safety regulatory oversight, compliance and enforcement are being applied by Air Safety Support International (ASSI)."

Minister Fraser added that VI Air Link and other airlines registered in the BVI have an obligation to comply with the rules set out in the laws of the Territory, and to adhere to the dictates of ASSI's regulations.

Deputy Premier and District Eight Representative, Hon. Dancia Penn Sallah, Q.C. also expressed congratulations to the Brathwaite family for their achievement and perseverance.

The Deputy Premier commended the family for "starting off at this point in time because it is the time when there is so much need, and as bad as the global economic picture might sound, we all know the difficulties there are in moving about our islands...hopefully our capacity for travel between the islands will be much facilitated by the inauguration of this airline today."

Hon. Penn said, "I know that the entire Government supports you fully in this endeavour and you have our word that we will work with you the best we can to make sure that there is not only one aircraft for the airline, but a fleet of aircraft that will serve us and serve us well."

Accountable Manager of VI Air Link, Mr. Neville Brathwaite Jr. in his brief remarks said, "like most developed and developing countries aviation is an economic pillar, vital to sustaining the economy and economic developments. VI Air Link is proud to be a part of this support as the first air carrier and airline in the BVI under the new Overseas Territories air requirements and the first carrier based in the BVI in over a decade."

He added that, "We are proud to work hand in hand with ASSI to have an aviation system that will stand up to international scrutiny and give the BVI and the people of the BVI another thing we can call our own."

Government remains committed to improving aviation management to ensure a properly regulated and efficient civil aviation industry.
Posted by Pamela Romney on January 29th, 2009 1:40 PMPost a Comment (0)

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Just Listed! H668 Virgin Gorda Leverick Bay,
January 29th, 2009 1:43 PM
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$1,100,000.00
H668 Virgin Gorda

Leverick Bay,

Beds: 3.0 Rooms: 4
Baths: 3.00 Sq. Ft.: 0
Garage: 1.0 Built: 0
 
Perfectly private villa tucked in to lush hillside with views to die for! 2 main level bedrooms have ensuite baths and sliding glass doors opening to panoramic views of the astonishing vistas North Sound Virgin Gorda affords.
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Pamela Romney
Island Real Estate Ltd.,
2844943186
www.islandrealestatebvi.com
 
  Visit this listing at Here
Posted by Pamela Romney on January 29th, 2009 1:43 PMPost a Comment (0)

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Chef Davide to take taste of BVI's Brandywine Bay to South Beach, Florida
January 28th, 2009 9:45 AM

Davide Pugliese, owner and executive chef of Brandywine Bay Restaurant and Capriccio di Mare in Tortola, British Virgin Islands, will be attending the eighth annual Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival in Miami, Florida.

Davide will be showcasing his culinary talents at the Whole Foods Market Grand Tasting Village on February 21, 2009.

The four-day epicurean festival, which kicks off on February 19 expects to attract around 6,000 visitors, participants and celebrity chefs each day.

Davide will be at the Brandywine Bay Restaurant table located in one of the American Express Grand Tasting tents to be set up ocean side of Miami's hip and lively South Beach. Serving 3,000 tastings of a Caribbean interpretation of an Italian dish, visitors to the Brandywine table can sample Brasato dei Caraibi which uses cuts of Certified Angus Beef Eye of round braised in a spicy scotch bonnet pepper sauce and served with a cilantro aioli. The ingredients are being provided by Buckhead Beef® of Florida, a meat specialty company that distributes along the Eastern seaboard and into the Caribbean, and Merchants Market, a Leeward and Virgin Islands food distribution network originating in Florida.

The dish will be prepped a couple of days in advance of the show by Davide who has enlisted the help of two culinary friends: Chef Mike Morphew, director of culinary education at the Culinary Institute of Virginia and Eric Sywak, general manager of Supa Valu in the British Virgin Islands.

"I am really excited about this festival. Participating even on one day is a big commitment and will be intensive but it is a tremendous opportunity to meet the movers and shakers of the culinary world. Hopefully taking part in this will help to mark the BVI and Brandywine Bay Restaurant on the gastronome's map," Davide said.

The Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival is a national, star-studded, destination event boasting the world's most renowned wine and spirits producers, chefs and culinary personalities.

BVINEWS

Posted by Pamela Romney on January 28th, 2009 9:45 AMPost a Comment (0)

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HLSCC concert series resumes with Jazz showcase
January 27th, 2009 12:40 PM
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Charlie Sepúlveda
HLSCC concert series resumes with Jazz showcase

By H. Lavity Stoutt Community College

The 2008-2009 Performing Arts Series at H. Lavity Stoutt Community College will resume on Friday January 30 in the Paraquita Bay Auditorium with a "Jazz Showcase," featuring Charlie Sepúlveda and the Turnaround.

Sepúlveda is a trumpet player from Puerto Rico. His new record, named after his group, "Charlie Sepúlveda and the Turnaround," and produced in May 2008, has received excellent reviews and was nominated for a 2008 Latin Grammy for Best Latin Jazz Album of the Year and pre-nominated for a Grammy Award in 2009. He has also participated in prestigious television shows, including "The Tonight Show."

Sepúlveda studied at the Conservatory of Music, University of Puerto Rico, and at City College in New York. He has played and recorded among masters such as Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri, Dizzy Gillespie, McCoy Tyner, Wynton Marsalis, Ray Barretto and Marc Anthony, among others.

With seven productions of his own, he has been able to perform throughout his career in the best jazz festivals around the world, gaining excellent reviews along the way. His "Watermelon Man" video was nominated for a Billboard Award.

Sepúlveda is currently touring and promoting one of his latest albums in the Caribbean, Latin America and the United States.

He will be accompanied during his performance at the College by Eduardo Zavas on piano, Gabriel Rodriguez on bass, Gadwin Vargas on Conga, Raul Maldonado on drums, and Norberto Ortiz on saxophone.

Friday's concert will start at 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $20 (or $25 at the door) for adults, $10 for staff of HLSCC and the University of the West Indies, and can be purchased from the HLSCC Bookstore, Road Town Bakery, Umi Fashions and Caribbean Insurers. Primary and secondary school students are admitted free.

For further information, please contact Bookstore Manager, Ms. Delight Charles at 852-7263.

Posted by Pamela Romney on January 27th, 2009 12:40 PMPost a Comment (0)

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Virgin Islands in Photography on Display at Local Museum
January 14th, 2009 7:03 AM
Virgin Islands in Photography on Display at Local Museum
 
 
An exhibition titled Virgin Islands in Photography is now on display at the Lower Estate Sugar Works. It features a combination of scenic photographs, some dating as far back as the 1970’s. It is hoped that residents and visitors alike who view the exhibits will develop a greater appreciation for the geography, environment and cultural history of the Virgin Islands.

The exhibition will remain on display in the Cosmopolitan Hall of the Lower Estate Sugar Works until January 20. The museum, located across from the Sir Rupert Briercliffe Hall is open Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Virgin Islands in Photography on Display at Local Museum
Text Size:
An exhibition titled Virgin Islands in Photography is now on display at the Lower Estate Sugar Works. It features a combination of scenic photographs, some dating as far back as the 1970’s. It is hoped that residents and visitors alike who view the exhibits will develop a greater appreciation for the geography, environment and cultural history of the Virgin Islands.

The exhibition will remain on display in the Cosmopolitan Hall of the Lower Estate Sugar Works until January 20. The museum, located across from the Sir Rupert Briercliffe Hall is open Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Virgin Islands in Photography on Display at Local Museum
Text Size:
An exhibition titled Virgin Islands in Photography is now on display at the Lower Estate Sugar Works. It features a combination of scenic photographs, some dating as far back as the 1970’s. It is hoped that residents and visitors alike who view the exhibits will develop a greater appreciation for the geography, environment and cultural history of the Virgin Islands.

The exhibition will remain on display in the Cosmopolitan Hall of the Lower Estate Sugar Works until January 20. The museum, located across from the Sir Rupert Briercliffe Hall is open Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Virgin Islands in Photography on Display at Local Museum
Text Size:
An exhibition titled Virgin Islands in Photography is now on display at the Lower Estate Sugar Works. It features a combination of scenic photographs, some dating as far back as the 1970’s. It is hoped that residents and visitors alike who view the exhibits will develop a greater appreciation for the geography, environment and cultural history of the Virgin Islands.

The exhibition will remain on display in the Cosmopolitan Hall of the Lower Estate Sugar Works until January 20. The museum, located across from the Sir Rupert Briercliffe Hall is open Monday to Friday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Posted by Pamela Romney on January 14th, 2009 7:03 AMPost a Comment (0)

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Wondering about what is happening in British Virgin Islands real estate?
January 14th, 2009 6:50 AM

It is January 2009, and the BVI is as busy as I have ever seen it in 30 years, with buyers looking for their Caribbean dream home.

British Virgin Island real estate has held it value over time.  This may be the reason the buyers are here and signing Letters of Intent.

The BVI banks are lending and you can get fixed mortgages!

The Non Belonger Land Holding Licenses are going thru faster than ever.

Services like cell phones and fast internet connections are high quality and there are fine food and wine stores to keep you happy.

As always available BVI properties for sale are limited owing to the small size of our community, but there are super opportunities for the buyers.  Some owners have dropped their prices and some have raised theirs.  Go to our website and see for yourself.  www.islandrealestatebvi.com

Be sure to see all the properties in Virgin Gorda, Great Camanoe, Tortola and Jost Van Dyke, British Virgin Islands.

Perhaps 2009 is the year you will treat yourself and family to a home in the Caribbean.

All the best for the New Year.  -Pam

 

Posted by Pamela Romney on January 14th, 2009 6:50 AMPost a Comment (0)

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Coastal safety for beach lovers
January 14th, 2009 5:54 AM
Coastal safety for beach lovers

BVI News Online

The Conservation and Fisheries Department continues to ensure that visitors and residents feel more secure when they are using the various beaches in the territory.

The department is continuing to recruit beach safety officers and lifeguards to protect residents and visitors who are enjoying the territories beaches.

The department is currently organizing a programme aimed at recruiting local beach safety officers.

Marine Biologist at the Conservation and Fisheries Department - Mervin Hastings says the department started a lifeguard programme in the territory a few years ago and they have been trying to recruit local persons to be part of this programme.

Mr Hastings said the department is now involved in a recruitment programme for interested persons in the community who want to become a beach safety officer and eventually a qualified lifeguard in the BVI.

"What that involves is the first stage is the beach safety officer which there is a minimum qualification which they need to have - swimming is definitely a priority - you have to swim for at least 400 metres in 9 to 10 minutes and to become a lifeguard you must be able to swim the same 400 metres in under 8 minutes, but we will be training you to hopefully top that time," Hastings said.

Hastings also said persons must know basic CPR procedures because if a rescue is done at sea, once the lifeguard brings that person to the shoreline, it is the responsibility of the beach safety officer to assist or basically take over the responsibilities of resuscitating that patient.

According to Hastings, the Conservation and Fisheries have decided to expand on this programme because of the number of problems experienced at beaches over the years.

"Over the past 10 to 20 years, you have an average of between 5 and 7 drownings deaths in the BVI so it has become a priority that we have better safety on our beaches", Hastings said.

He said the beach safety and lifeguards will be stationed at the different beaches in the territory.

"Currently the lifeguards and the beach safety officers that we have now are stationed at Cane Garden and Josiah's Bay because there are a lot of tourists and locals that go to Cane Garden Bay and Josiah's Bay because its one of the most dangerous beaches with the high surf and current as well", he said.

Hastings said the response to the programme has been positive so far.

"I think it has been very positive, the vendors at Cane Garden Bay have actually commented on the programme, they have actually given their appreciation and welcomed us into the community and even Josiah's Bay, Niomi Turnbull who is there, is always calling us expressing appreciation that the lifeguards are there now and there have been no drownings at these beaches and they have actually done several rescues since they have been on the beaches," Hastings said.

He said it will take about one year to train someone from a beach safety officer to a qualified lifeguard.

He noted that on becoming a qualified lifeguard, these persons will be properly identified when they are stationed at the various beaches.

Hastings said the territory currently has 4 registered lifeguards but they are not BV Islanders.

He said it's the vision of the Conservation and Fisheries Department to have all local beach safety officers and lifeguards on the beaches in the future.

He said persons interested in becoming beach safety officers can contact the department at 494 - 3429 or extension 5555 or 5551.

Posted by Pamela Romney on January 14th, 2009 5:54 AMPost a Comment (0)

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Just Listed! Belmont Park Lot West End Land, Tortola,
January 9th, 2009 7:46 AM
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$1,500,000.00
Belmont Park Lot
Tortola
West End Land, Tortola,

Beds: 0 Rooms: 0
Baths: 0 Sq. Ft.: 0
Garage: 0 Built: 0
 
Land for sale in Belmont Park, above Soper's Hole, West End, Tortola, British Virgin Islands. Has breath taking panoramic Views. Size is 2.9 acres. Gorgeous building site.
This is a new listing that
I thought you might be
interested in. Visit this
listing online to see more
photos of the property,
Google Earth satellite
images, and much more.
 
If you have any questions
about this property or
require more information,
please feel free to call.

Pamela Romney
Island Real Estate Ltd.,
2844943186
www.islandrealestatebvi.com
 
  Visit this listing at Here
Posted by Pamela Romney on January 9th, 2009 7:46 AMPost a Comment (0)

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