Greetings Sailors,
I run a conservation nonprofit organization. We are in need of a live-aboard sailing vessel for the
Bahamas for the full month of May 2017 for shorebird conservation and coastal habitat
restoration work. Our general itinerary is GBI (week 1), Great
Abaco (week 2&3), Berry Islands and Joulters Cays (week 4). The vessel should be capable of housing a weekly crew of 12 researchers and 3 to 4 ship crew with room for
gear and materials stowage. Our trip needs also include two small deployment boats that can carry 6-8+
gear and materials. A sailing vessel of 70ft or more is needed. Vessel should be
shallow draft (6ft or less). We would like to hire such a vessel at nonprofit rates. We are also interested in a donation of such a vessel for our nonprofit work.
We completed a successful first expedition in the
Bahamas this past May.
We got a very good rate this year because May was a slow month for the schooner we hired. Her
captain is semi-retired and desired to help the
project. Our conservation work is funded by matching grants and volunteers who pay to be on the trip each week. I would not be searching for another schooner now, except the owner is considering selling the vessel. We have looked into many
commercial charter boats in S.
Florida and Bahamas but they are above our
budget. Our
project recently received long term
funding, however the work is dependent on us finding a sailing vessel we can afford. Any advice or contacts are very much appreciated.
Thank You,
Margo