Below are some interesting news of the Virgin Islands especially any news that may have relevance to the island of St. John.

VI Marine Industry Forum
The Senate Committe on Economic Development and Agriculture and Planning held a VI Marine Industry Forum to discuss the plight of the marine industry in the Virgin Islands. Some key points:

1. A primary focus of the meeting was the need for job growth in the industry;
2. Noteworthy, Captain John Holmberg is the resident marine adviser for the VI Economic Development Authority;
3. There is a current underutilization of the territory's marine assets;
4. Poor infrastructure hinders progress;
5. St. Johnians expressed their discontent stemming from the inadequate use of their island resources;
6. Boat building was noted as a possible stimulus for the industry
7. Senator Millin-Young mentioned that apprenticeships in the form of a marine academy is warranted.

The following link gives the full story.
http://virginislandsdailynews.com/news/v-i-marine-industry-leaders-agree-job-growth-resourcefulness-are-needed-to-revitalize-field-1.1752320

Science Education in the Virgin Islands Gets a Boost

Sometimes a helping hand is all a child/youth needs, and Jeffrey Epstein understand this quite well.  This entrepreneurial mogul gave a huge donation to the STEM program at the University of the Virgin Islands.  STEM stands for Science, Math, Engineering, and Technology.  Mr. Epstein donated funds for accomodations and travels for students and chaperones but he also donated more than one hundred Microsoft Surface W computers, Touch keyboards and Nylon Sleeves for Microsoft Surface. Students, staff, UVI and the community in general are all grateful for this valuable contribution.  Read more here:  http://world.einnews.com/pr_news/223288427/harvard-mogul-jeffrey-epstein-boosts-science-education-in-the-us-virgin-islands

Picture Courtesy ofOnline PRMedia

Boat Ride between St. Thomas and St. John has been listed as 1 of the 10 most Scenic in the World

They didn't have to tell me that, I knew that alread:)  Yes, the Pillsbury Sound route rounds in at number nine.  Nine in the world is an awesome place to be.  Here is a snippet of what the researchers said.  Click on the link to see who the other winners are.  But due to pride in my homeland, we will always be number one in my mind.

This summer we went boating.  Not on the M/V Capt. Vic but on a small pleasure boat.  It was so much fun feeling the wind in my hair and listening to the kids scream when their Dad was going a bit fast.  While boating we got to enjoy our beautiful Virgin Islands where the weather is usually great: the warmth of the sun, the turquoise blue waters, the view of the sandy beaches. It all left quite an impression that is memorable. 



More importantly, it was family time that I enjoyed.  At home, we are all hooked up to our devices, cell phones, iPods and iPads or the good old TV.  No one is talking. But when we went boating, the outdoors provided the perfect backdrop for conversations. We didn't swim, snorkel, or waterski, although all of these are perfectly good activities to enjoy while boating.  Instead, we just island hopped and enjoyed the beauty that is the Virgin Islands, both US and British.

Stay safe while boating.  Luckily our driver is a bonafide boat Captain.  But if you don't have a licensed driver you can always take lessons and learn how to maneuver a vessel.  Your family will enjoy the adventure.  Let us know about your boating experiences by commenting below.

I read the quote above  in a book on real estate.  But I thought it to be applicable to all areas of life.  Yes, focus on the mainsail --goals, objectives, values, etc.  Get back to basics.  Do what is right.  Do what you know produces big results. 

The sad thing is that sometimes we meander through life without a mainsail.  Imagine you were on a sailing ship with no mainsail and a storm came.  The storms or even slightly high winds would toss you hither, thither and yon.  You may end up someplace you had no intentions of going.  Life is the same.  We need our mainsail to win.  

For Love City Car Ferries, Inc.  our mainsail is our customers.  You are why we do what we do.  Contact us at any time.  We appreciate you and whatever your mainsail is......focus on it.  Best wishes!