Arrival Day
Our vet staff were eager on The Moorings docks this morning, ready for the long-awaited arrivals of the rest of the 2026 Sail Caribbean Staff. The day was jam-packed with arrivals from all over the world flying into St. Thomas (STT), and Beef Island Airport (EIS).
After loading onto our two staff training boats, White Pearl and Grizzslayer, we took a tour of the incredible marina. We grabbed some showers and had a barbecue on the docks on our brand new Jamaican grills – the jerk chicken was a hit. Exhausted from travel days, the team slowly hit the hay.
Day 2 (Underway, Swim tests, Marina key)
Today marks our first sail as a crew! After waking up in the Moorings Marina and prepping breakfast onboard, we kicked it into full gear. We had an all-staff meeting led by our Director, Arter, and Founder, Mike, along with the rest of the leadership team. This was a great way to go over our upcoming season and receive our handbooks, ASA textbooks for studying, and fins/snorkel gear.
Shortly after, each of the two staff boats had lessons on PDCs (pre-departure checks) and dedocking. The more experienced vet staff led these demos, which were incredibly helpful for any staff newer to sailing or unfamiliar with these specific boats.
“We absolutely smoked the Grizzslayer (even though it wasn’t a race) and were the first boat to pick up a mooring ball.”
– Richie, Skipper of The Day, White Pearl
Day 3 (Snorkeling, marine bio lesson)
The day kicked off with a lesson from Dive Master Anna on marine biology — covering the types of jellyfish we might encounter in the North Atlantic and why a thorough jelly check is non-negotiable before entering the water. From there, the crew suited up for a scuba lesson and got a close-up look at the reef.
After picking up a mooring ball, we set course for the stunning shores of White Bay. Skipper of the day, Isabel, led the crew through their first jibe and some exciting downwind sailing. Rotating everyone through the helm, giving each crew member time to feel what it’s like to actually steer the boat and feel comfortable. On the staff training side, the focus has been on communication and teamwork as the foundations of a strong crew. Post-docking debriefs have become a core part of the rhythm, breaking down what went well, what needs work, and how to sharpen up for the next passage.
The day wrapped up with Mediterranean bowls, crafted by acting chefs Anna and Sophie, and they absolutely delivered. Goodnight from White Bay.
