If you are planning to dive or snorkel the reefs on your next charter voyage to the Caribbean, Bahamas or Florida Keys you may encounter the astonishingly beautiful lionfish. Beware, the graceful profusion of colorful fins belies venomous spines that, although not known to be fatal, are extremely painful and can (rarely) come with severe complications. In addition, some scientists consider them as one of the top 15 threats to biodiversity worldwide.

Lionfish are native to the Indo-Pacific region but in recent decades have invaded the waters of the Caribbean, the Bahamas, the east coast of the Americas as far north as Rhode Island, and as far south as Columbia. Their infiltration is likely the result of releases from tanks of saltwater hobbyists. With few known natural enemies, lionfish present a major threat to coral reef ecosystems as predators and competitors for food.

Humans are becoming the most lethal threat to date, as the fish emerges as a gourmet delicacy. Facebook groups promoting lionfish consumption include “I Spear Lionfish,” “Lionfish Derby” and “Eat the Lionfish.” According to an article published by the Washington Post, July 7, 2010, chefs, spear fisherman and seafood distributors are plotting to eat the fish out of non-native existence. The REEF Environmental Education Foundation, a leading organization in the research and development of lionfish control programs, is preparing to publish a cookbook this fall on how to prepare the lionfish, described with a flavor between snapper and grouper.

What you should you do if you see the foot-long lionfish? They are glamorous and peaceful creatures, so use the photo opportunity. Otherwise, unless you are a savvy fisherman, or have the proper training and equipment, leave it alone but report the sighting location to the local island authorities and/or REEF when you surface.

Photo credit: REEF

Visit REEF Environmental Education Foundation: www.reef.org/lionfish

Lionfish Recipes: www.lionfishhunter.com/Lionfish%20Recipes.html

www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/07/06/AR2010070601003.htm

On Wednesday, July 28, Boatbookings.com hosted their Second Annual Food and Wine Paring at Hugh’s Catering in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The event is a “thank you” for all the hard work and extra efforts the Central agents go to to assure our clients have flawless charters on the agents’ yachts.

Sharon Bahmer, the Caribbean andUSACharter Director, flawlessly organized the event. Regional Central Charter Agents in attendance were delighted to have the opportunity to meet Tom Virden, Boatbookings Founder and Managing Director based in Cannes, France, and Sean Fawcett, Boatbookings Vice President based in Boston.

The appreciation event featured Sommelier Francis V. Sullivan, who made an informative presentation with each pairing to reveal the complexities and nuances of the wines being served. Chef Hugh and his staff of experts welcomed those interested to watch the on-site preparation of the five-star, five-course menu. Chef Hugh took timely advantage of the local lobster mini hunting season, diving himself for the lobster that provided a delicious first course of Lobster Fra Diavlo.

The evening culminated in a grueling contest that tested the wine palate of guests with yet more tastings. Winners happily accepted bottles of wine that were awarded as prizes. Everyone

agreed the event was a superb success!

Whatever type of bareboat charter you plan in the Bahamas or Caribbean  you’ll want to impress family and friends with this enticing yet simple dish. The recipe is provided exclusively to Boatbookings clients by Lisa Sellers, executive chef at Peter Island Resort. Be a gourmet chef on your next charter by using the cornucopia of fresh ingredients locally available in paradise.

Chef Sellers’ Signature Shrimp Dish

Lemongrass infused Shrimp, Green Papaya & Mango “Salad”

Serves 4 People

12 shrimp- size 16/20, peeled & deveined

1 stick fresh lemongrass

Sea Salt & Freshly ground black pepper

1 ripe mango

1 green Papaya

½ Sweet red peppers

½ Sweet Green Peppers

Dried Mango slices

Dried Green Papaya Slices

A small pinch fresh Chilies

Extra virgin Olive Oil

Method:

Crush the lemongrass and chop, mix with shrimp & salt & Pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil cover and marinate for a few hours

Finely chop mango, green papaya, peppers & mix, add chili and season to taste, bind with a small amount of mango puree

Heat a sautéed pan, with olive oil, sear of the shrimp both sides, and cook, this will take about 3-4 minutes,

Arrange the mango & green papaya salad in a mold; place the shrimp on the plate, putting dried papaya & Mango slices in between the shrimp

Garnish with Micro greens or arugula.

Enjoy!

One of the delights of sailing into a new port is discovering a beach bar where yachtsmen can meet, tell stories, watch a sunset, and just enjoy being on the water and away from civilization.

We’ve noticed, also, that around the world these bars tend to have a great sense of humor, and refuse to take life too seriously.  Many put up funny signs or paintings, or allow customers to do so. We thought we’d show you a few of our favorites – please add yours!

The team Boatbookings try our utmost to bring you the latest and best in chartering information, yachting destinations and exciting things to do and our new favorite way to bring you closer to your potential chartering experiences is through the medium of video. We proudly bring you six videos from various locations across the globe and hope you enjoy watching them in your spare time!

Classic Yacht Charter – the Blue Peter
Video – Cannes to Club 55 – St Tropez
Video – Cape Cod
Video – Italian Riviera – Camogli to Portofino
Video – Pemaquid Maine
Video – Croatia Charter

As much as we would love to spend our time cruising the coastlines of the world to bring you fantastic footage of the beauties and delights that yachting can bring you, there isn’t the time in the working day for us to cover everything, so if you have been somewhere that is worth shouting about and want us to feature it on the site please feel free to send us any photographs or videos of where you have been on your favorite charters! We look forward to hearing from you!
Please note, we will not show anything that shows recognisable faces or nudity and we reserve the right to edit any footage sent to suit the marketing restrictions of our website.

When you charter a crewed yacht, you expect the utmost in service and luxury, and one of the things that can make the charter for you is the food served to you whilst on board. At the St Maarten-St Martin Boat Show a Concour’s de Chefs Challenge was held this year to praise and highlight the best. One of our Boatbookings USA Team was able to play a part in assisting in the event.  The theme this year, ‘The Spanish Influence on Caribbean Cuisine’, had to be expressed through the presentation of one entree and one dessert being judged not only on taste and appearance but also on the overall use of the theme, from table setting to the accompanying wine.

With only 30 minutes to get both dishes out onto the table, the challenge was a spectacle to behold, our Boatbookings team member was fortunate enough to get a guest spot on the splendid yacht Paramour. The meal was served alfresco style, overlooking the magnificent yachts docked in the marina. The service was impeccable, and timing was perfect. The crew was very friendly and upbeat, ready for the judging panel!

The results of the challenge are as follows
Division I (yachts over 140′):

First – Guy Barrett of VA BENE
Second – Nicolas Richert of LADY JOY
Third – Christina Jones of TUSCAN SUN

Division II (yachts under 140′):

First – Amanda Hutchins of NAMOH
Second – John Chamberlain of LUCKY SEVEN
Third – Jeff Ciucevich of GOLDEN TIMES

Best Dessert: Matthes Vanducci of CHEVY TOY

Best Crew Service, Ambience and Table setting:

First – NAMOH
Second – Tie with PARAMOUR and TUSCAN SUN
Third – LADY JOY

Today the yacht is symbolic of luxury vessels that cruise the oceans and seas elegantly in pursuit of leisurely indulgence.  However, its origin is a little distant from this current image and heralds from a time when Pirates pestered the shallow waters of the Low Countries of Europe.  The word yacht comes from the Dutch word jacht which means to hunt, the vessels described as jachtships where light, fast and used for pursuing (or hunting) the pirates and bucaneers that hounded the waters of these countries.  It wasn’t until King Charles II of England famously chose the vessel for his return to Britain from the Netherlands for his restoration to the throne that the yacht was then identified as a vessel to transport important people and consequently as a luxury item for the rich and famous. Today this luxury has become accessible to more people than ever with the facility to charter a yacht available to everyone who considers themself to be important.
Some information courtesy of Wikipedia

That’s right, you can get on board the yacht used as the BLACK PEARL in the Pirates of the Caribbean films and re-enact your own Captain Jack Sparrow moment. The UNICORN Brig is a 140ft masterpiece replica of an 18th Century Brig Tall Ship and is a beauty to behold without the tattered sails given to her in the film.
Built in 1948 in Finland, she now offers daily tours starting from Rodney Bay Marin on St Lucia, taking in either the Botanical Gardens or the Toraille Waterfalls & Gardens and the Sulphur Springs of St Lucia in the Caribbean.  The trip even includes a hearty meal and traditional pirate rum punch, perfect for a fantasy family day out.

A motorcycle daredevil from the Kiwi Crusty Demons yesterday backflipped over an America’s Cup yacht in Auckland. Luke Smith became the first person in the world to perform this crazy stunt, falling the equivalent of 4 storeys once he had cleared the yacht.  When asked what was going on in his mind before going ‘head over wheels’ Luke admitted he was nervous and said:

“I wasn’t sure how I was gonna end up you know. I wasn’t sure if I was gonna over-rotate, or was gonna be able to kick the bike away, but yeah, no it worked out great, there was nothing to worry about.”

Luke will continue to perform with the Crusty Demons in Auckland, though his motorbike, unfortunately, won’t.  The America’s Cup yacht belonging to the New Zealand team was not damaged in the stunt and awaits the onset of the New Louis Vuitton Cup Regatta to come to Auckland in next spring (see previous blog).

Information courtesy of 3news.co.nz

Porsche Design is teaming up with the high end, Singapore based Royal Falcon Fleet to create the ultimate in billionaire boys’ toys; luxury catamarans and megayachts, the first of which is to be a 135 foot luxury motor catamaran, known as the RFF135 (see image) and capable of cruising at upto 35 knots through the oceans of the world.  The result of a design collaboration between the two companies, the Swedish marine engineering firm Kockums and the Australian catamaran company Incat Crowther is expected to be a creature that oozes with luxury, opulence and haute couture whilst using the latest in technology and looking like something that has travelled here from the future.  Porsche will be designing both the exteriors and interiors whilst the other three companies will be taking on the task of creating the technology and engines to make her operate like a dream and wow those cross her path.