Caribbean Compass Yachting Magazine June 2017

— Continued from previous page
Ted was a wonderful person, a real gentleman, always kind and helpful, and it is a
privilege to have known and worked with him and Mary Ann. I think all of us have
CHRIS DOYLE
end. Neil is enjoying sailing in sailors’ Valhalla, where the winds are fair, the seas
are calm, and the anchorages are uncrowded. Neil Lewis survived personal tragedy,
lost his boat and salvaged it, had cancer and managed to lick it. Every
BRETT HARRINGTON
found having Ted as a friend was a real blessing.
Narendra Sethia, who worked with Ted in the Trade Wind days, evokes those times
on page 40.
NEIL LEWIS
Long-time St. Thomas, USVI resident, folksinger and pioneer Caribbean charter skipper
Neil Lewis died on April 29th.
After making a name for himself as a coffeehouse folksinger in Washington, DC,
Neil migrated to Charlotte Amalie in the 1960s and made the transformation to
charter skipper. He soon moved his base of operations with his island-built cutter,
Arawak, to Red Hook, a better day-charter departure point.
His daughter Brett posted at http://all-ah-wee.blogspot.com, “In the early 60s Neil
used to go into Johnny Harms’ Lagoon Marina and joke around with Tommy Gifford,
back in the original building when there were two docks at Red Hook: Harms’ and
the public dock. That was when there were two, maybe three boats at anchor —
Arawak and True Love.”
Later Neil also built and skippered the 46-foot gaff schooner Alexander Hamilton,
which he also chartered out of Red Hook.
Don Street writes, “I do not want the heading to be ‘eight bells’ as it is not the
YACHTING IN TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
time he was knocked down he picked himself up and got on with life with
no bitterness.”
JOHNNY PHILIP
Johnny Philip, owner of Johnny Sails & Canvas in Grenada, died on May 9th. A
graduate of Grenada Boys Secondary School, Johnny was among the first
Grenadians to offer world-class services for yachts. After four years’ training in
Canada, he returned to Grenada to open Johnny Sails in the early 1970s, where he
made and repaired sails, and supplied canvas work and rigging services. His son
eventually joined the business. Johnny’s dodgers were especially sought-after as the
tubing was bent on site, ensuring a perfect fit. As the yacht services industry in
Grenada grew, Johnny always maintained a solid business and a loyal clientele. He
will be missed.
Mental Health Falling Under the Radar, Say Superyacht Crew
Superyacht crew are struggling with stress and mental health issues, according to
Yachting Pages Media Group, which commissioned a survey of superyacht crew
and industry experts in April.
—Continued on next page
JUNE 2017 CARIBBEAN COMPASS PAGE 5
Premier Yacht Repair Centre and Hurricane Haven
Trinidad and Tobago
Two unique islands; two unique experiences and multiple
reasons to choose Trinidad and Tobago for all of your
yachting holidays, storage and repair needs.
As the southernmost islands in the Caribbean archipelago,
Trinidad and Tobago enjoy the safety of being located
outside the active hurricane belt. Trinidad is home to the
largest yacht repair centre in the southern Caribbean. You
will have access to a 2-mile cluster of high-quality and cost
effective yachting services providers, including surface
preparation and painting, electronic repairs and traditional
Caribbean hospitality, along with a variety of attractions and
recreational activities to discover and explore on both
islands.
Come and experience the best of both worlds!
Storage – Safe | Serene | Secure
Repairs – Expertise | Efficiency | Effective
Eco-adventure | Beaches | Festivals | Cuisine
Eco-adventure – Rest | Refresh | Rejuvenate
Cultural Diversity – History | Food | Entertainment
.............................................................................
Ministry of Trade and Industry
Tel.: (868) 623-2931-4 • Fax.: (868) 627-8488
Email: mti-info@gov.tt • www.tradeind.gov.tt
Yacht Services Association of
Trinidad and Tobago
Tel.: (868) 634-4938 • Fax.: (868) 634-2160
Email: info@ysatt.com • www.ysatt.com