CHARLESTOWN, Nevis – TWO yacht owners were yesterday (Feb. 9) singing praises to the Customs Department’s computerised procedures which make it enjoyable to drop anchor off the island’s shore after sailing long distances.
Brian Kelly, owner of Northern Lights IV, and John Wigging of Sukha I, told SKNVibes yesterday that in other islands they have to go through a long process of filling seven copies of customs documents. That is however not the case in Nevis. Customs officers feed the official information required into a computer and, according to the men, “As you leave, you do not have to do it all over again.”
“When we go to other islands, we will tell them of our experiences on Nevis,” Kelly said.
The men, both Canadians, said Nevis is their favourite destination compared to everywhere they have been on vacation.
Kelly said that he and his wife Penny had first sailed to Nevis five years ago and briefly explained what had attracted them to the island: “We had read of Nevis on cruising guides. We had read of the beaches. We had read about hiking and biking and the friendly people as well as the unspeakable beauty of the island. We had seen pictures.”
Wigging said Nevis has beautiful terrain and friendly Customs officers. He also said the Nevis port is protected from waves.
The two Canadians said the idea of moorings in Nevis is excellent and most yacht owners would greatly appreciate a dock for dinghies. They also expressed their appreciation of the excellent dock for big boats.
They also voiced their appreciation of the courtesy extended by vendors on Nevis, especially when compared with the “boat boys” in some of the islands who, they said, are too aggressive when they sell their merchandise to tourists.
The men, who were using the wireless internet facilities at the Nite Moves in Charlestown, said the availability of those services close to the port enabled them to keep up with their banking and in touch with family members.
