yacht club english harbour antigua fire

• DESTINATIONS
• REGATTAS & RALLIES
• SUBSCRIBE FREE

Aerial View of the Antigua Yacht Club Marina, before a fire destroyed the building on October 2, 2023. (PHOTO BY DAVID H. LYMAN)

Lightning and Fire in English Harbour

By David H. Lyman

“We were all a little shaken up by that little storm,” Libby told me on the phone, a week after tropical storm Philippe rampaged through English Harbour on the island of Antigua. Libby Nicholson grew up in English Harbour and is today the architect and hostess at Pineapple House, a cottage colony guest house for yacht crews as well as an Airbnb. It overlooks the yacht club docks. “The funny thing was,” she added, “Philippe was not supposed to be very powerful or strong, so a lot of us kind of ignored it.

“‘Oh,’ they all said. ‘it’s heading east. It’s going out to sea, so we’re going to be fine.’

“Then it sort of began getting closer. It kind of veered into Antigua. Honestly, it felt like it was right above us. All of a sudden, the amount of rain falling from the clouds was almost overwhelming!

“The rumbling thunder was deafening and seemed to roll on for a whole minute at a time while flashes of lightning lit the whole sky blue with electricity. It was quite spectacular as well as very scary. The lightning never stopped! It felt like the earth was shaking. Is that possible?”

Philippe, downgraded from a hurricane, arrived over Antigua the night of October 2. The gale winds were southerly. The rain was intense.

“I’m not making this up,” Libby said. “The thunder was so close, it was reverberating, shaking the buildings. The amount of rain falling from the sky, driven by the wind, had me concerned about a mud slide sending me and Pineapple House sliding down the hillside down into the harbor.”

Libby and most of the island had retired that evening, confident the storm would bypass them. “I was lying in bed around eight o’clock, thinking,” she told me, “ ‘Okay, everything’s quiet. There’s nothing happening.’ But by ten o’clock, all hell was breaking loose. That’s how quickly it started. And by then, it was like, ‘Oh my God, where are we going with this?’

“When you’re in a storm like this,” she added, “you don’t really know when it’s going to end or how bad it will become. You are in sort of a bubble that keeps getting bigger and bigger and bigger. When will it burst? 

“It must have been around 10 p.m. when a blinding flash of lightning, with an immediate clap of thunder, shook the house. I heard a transformer on a nearby pole explode. The lights went out. I heard the generators in the nearby Antigua Yacht Club Marina kick in. That lasted only a few minutes, for another flash of lightning must have struck a utility pole nearby, and the surge of electrical power must have overloaded the generators and knocked them off.

“ ‘ Oh, that’s not good,’ ” I said. “But nothing was good. We were now entering survival mode. By now, I was soaking wet. The wind was blowing the rain sideways. Lightning-lit blue light filled the world in which we were living.

“In the middle of a panicked moment, I realized I was wearing all my silver bracelets on both arms. I had the sudden feeling that these coils of silver might attract lightning and hurriedly stripped off all my bracelets. I noticed two mirrors on the other side of the bedroom. You know that West Indian Caribbean myth? If lightning is reflected by a mirror, it will attract more lightning. I covered them with a towel.

“I asked Plumber, the Pineapple House handyman, to turn off our breakers, even though the power was down, for safety sake. He and I then retreated to one of the more secure rooms with cement walls in a dryer, safer place under the main house, as far away from the storm as we could get. We found and turned on a few battery-operated camp lamps so we could see.

“Sometime later, who knows how long it was, mixed in with the thunder, wind, and pounding rain, I heard the sounds of snaps and crackling coming from the harbour.”

“Somewhere, there was a fire.”

By two that morning, the Antigua Yacht Club Marina Center was engulfed in a devastating fire. Flames, whipped by the winds, were sent out into the night sky and out over the harbor. Rain poured down from the heavens, but the fire was too intense for any amount of rain to put it out.

Maurice Belgrave, a local diver, along with the Antigua Fire Brigade, worked the rest of the night and into the morning to bring the fire under control. By morning, exhausted and defeated, the firefighters had lost the battle. The entire building collapsed. What was left was the mere skeleton of charred, weakened cement columns.

“That next day,” Libby said, “as I wandered through my village, I was met with an eerie sight. The skeleton of the center was all that remained.” Cloggy’s Restaurant, The Skullduggery’s pub, the Sea Breeze Cafe, the Turtle Surf Shop, BWA’s offices, Ari’s Fresh Fish Shop, the workout gym, and Dockside Liquors and Grocery Store — all gone in a single night.

The English Harbour community began to emerge, rally together, and bring support to one another. “We all became very close,” Libby said. “As if we aren’t already a close-knit group of islanders. This loss brought out compassionate support and a genuine sense of community.”

Days later, with the site still smoldering, I called Shaun Falcone, the marina’s manager. The story began to unfold.

“The fire started in the marina office,” he told me. “Perhaps around midnight. There was a major power surge that blew out the electronic network in our office that controls the security camera systems, internet, and phone lines.”

By two in the morning, when emergency responders arrived, the harbor end of the building was totally engulfed. The fire lasted all night and into the next morning. “Flames kept erupting even five days later,” said Shaun.

The marine operation was unaffected. None of the yachts berthed nearby were touched. The docks still had fuel and electricity. Shaun and the crew moved the marina office to an adjacent building, into what most people call the Panerai lounge, as the Italian-Swiss watchmaker Panerai used to be there. More recently Locman, the Italian watchmaker, took over the space, next to a fabric boutique. This single-story building was spared the blaze, but one side was scorched by the fire, said. The nearby yacht club house was also unaffected. The gale-force winds were southerly, blowing the flames out over the harbor. One hates to contemplate that had the winds blown from the opposite direction, the flames would have engulfed the adjacent resort and condos on the hillside.

Shaun told me they already have plans to rebuild, although it is just a concept right now. “We hope to have something in place in time for the Antigua Yacht Charter Show in early December 2024,” he said.

 “I’ll meet you at the Sea Breeze,” used to be a common phrase in English Harbour. 

Expat Alison Sly-Adams, president of Antigua Sailing Week, told me, “The Sea Breeze Cafe and Skullduggery Cafe have always been a place for locals and expats to meet and mingle.” The dinghy dock is always jam-packed with RIBs; the tables on the Sea Breeze deck are crowded with locals, yacht crews, and cruisers, many of whom are busy on their laptops and phones. You can get the password for the WiFi network for the price of a beer or iced tea.

With the center gone, at least for now, people will need a new hub in English Harbour. For now, it will be the Cork & Basket in the main Antigua Yacht Club Marina building and Bar-B’s & Club House, the restaurants located at Antigua Yacht Club House, next door, until the Marina Center comes back. Cloggy’s has found a new home across the bay at the Catamaran Marina

Want to stay up-to-date on all things Caribbean Compass? Join our newsletter and never miss an update! Click here to join now!

Late Season Hurricanes

Westward across the atlantic, recommended for you, world-class race committee plots course for 45th st. maarten heineken regatta.

September 5, 2024 - Simpson Bay, St. Maarten – The St. Maarten Heineken Regatta is proud to celebrate 45 years, and four decades of “Serious Fun!” with long-time...

Caribbean Sailing Association Unveils Updated 5-Year Calendar for Thrilling Sailing Seasons

The Caribbean Sailing Association (CSA) is excited to announce the release of its updated five-year calendar, which aims to provide sailing enthusiasts with a diverse range of events...

Island Spotlight: St. Kitts and Nevis

Story and photos by Lexi Fisher & Chris Doyle St. Kitts and Nevis are two distinct islands under a single country. St. Kitts has a large cruise ship...

Beryl Comes to Bequia

A personal post-hurricane Beryl account from Mount Pleasant on Bequia Story and photos by Peter Roren For two nail-biting days, hurricane Beryl had kept an easterly beeline course...

New Chief Executive Officer at Discover Dominica

Marva Williams, formerly festivals and events manager at the Discover Dominica Authority, was appointed the organization’s chief executive officer in August 2024. In her new role, Williams will...

• BOOK REVIEWS
• Uncategorized
• YACHT CHARTER

RECENT POSTS

• World-class Race Committee Plots Course for 45th St. Maarten Heineken Regatta September 9, 2024
• Caribbean Sailing Association Unveils Updated 5-Year Calendar for Thrilling Sailing Seasons September 3, 2024
• Navigating the Colombian Waters From ABC Islands to Santa Marta August 28, 2024
• Caribbean Compass – September 2024 August 26, 2024
• Understanding Atmospheric Flash Droughts in the Caribbean August 26, 2024

© 2024 Caribbean Compass

• REGATTAS & RALLIES
• SIGN UP FREE
• HOW TO ADVERTISE

• Career Advice
• Salary Guide
• Digital Dockwalk

Antigua Yacht Club Marina Devastated by Fire

In the late hours of October 2, a fire started at the Antigua Yacht Club Marina in English Harbour, leading to devastation. While the cause of the fire is not yet known and under investigation, it was reportedly caused by a lightning strike from Tropical Storm Philippe, which made landfall in Barbuda earlier that day.

According to a 5 a.m. statement on October 3 by Antigua and Barbuda’s National Office of Disaster Services, firefighters were continuing to suppress the blaze, and wind gusts were creating a challenge in extinguishing the fire.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Cloggy’s (@cloggysantigua)

Prime Minister Gaston Browne gave his thanks that no one got seriously hurt, and shared that “as a resilient people, we soldier on.” The fire will lead to a loss of at least 100 jobs. The building was home to Cloggy’s, Skullduggery Café, the dockmaster’s office, and more.

The Antigua Yacht Club Marina released a statement that says, “Antigua Yacht Club Marina is deeply devastated by the fires that occurred on Monday night, particularly as they have affected the facilities and services within our main complex. Our thoughts are with the affected business owners and their employees during this difficult time.”

Despite the incident, main marina facilities, including diesel, water, electricity, and dockage, remain fully operational. Even with some adjustments, AYCM is determined to make the upcoming season a great one.

“We are committed to providing uninterrupted services to our visitors and guests. A new location for our office has already been set in motion to ensure seamless communication and assistance for all our customers,” the statement shares. “Antigua Yacht Club Marina remains resilient and determined to continue serving the sailing and yachting community with the same dedication and excellence. We look forward to welcoming you back and appreciate your continued trust in us.”

More from Dockwalk

Most popular on dockwalk.

• Mobile Apps
• Subscribe Now

Secondary Menu

• Art & Leisure
• Classifieds

Fire destroys historic Yacht Club

ST JOHN’S (CMC):

A fire swept has swept through the Yacht Club in English Harbour on the southeastern coast of Antigua, destroying several businesses and leaving more than 100 people unemployed.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne in a message posted on his Facebook page said that the Yacht Club was completely “gutted” by the fire. Firefighters were hampered by the strong winds and rains associated with the passage of Topical Storm Philippe on Tuesday.

“Several businesses were destroyed resulting in at least 100 job losses. Sad! Notwithstanding, we give thanks and soldier on; while assisting the business and property owners to rebuild,” he wrote.

He said that the Yacht Club Marina was the place where the “Alfa Nero was docked”.

Headlines Delivered to Your Inbox

The 81.3-metre Alfa Nero was sold at auction on June 16 for $67,000,677, having been declared abandoned by the government of Antigua and Barbuda, but has been wrapped up in litigation ever since.

Former Google chief executive officer, Eric Schmidt, to whom the yacht had been solid, is reported to have backed out of the deal amid “legal wrangling”.

The fire at the Yacht Club also destroyed neighbouring business including Skull Duggery café, Cloggy’s, Dock Master Office, and Dockside Liquor.

The Antigua Yacht Club is described as one of the best-known Yacht Clubs in the Caribbean and hosts some of the most prestigious sailing events in the Caribbean, namely The RORC Caribbean 600, Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta and Antigua Sailing Week.

In 2015, it hosted the Optimist North American Championship for the first time and the club was again invited to host the event in 2016, and in 2019, it hosted the Optimist World Championship.

• «India tells Canada to remove 41 of its 62 diplomats in the country
• Jihadis kill 29 soldiers as attacks ramp up »

View the discussion thread.

The global authority in superyachting

• NEWSLETTERS
• Yachts Home
• The Superyacht Directory
• Yacht Reports
• Brokerage News
• The largest yachts in the world
• The Register
• Yacht Advice
• Yacht Design
• 12m to 24m yachts
• Monaco Yacht Show
• Builder Directory
• Designer Directory
• Interior Design Directory
• Naval Architect Directory
• Yachts for sale home
• Motor yachts
• Sailing yachts
• Explorer yachts
• Classic yachts
• Sale Broker Directory
• Charter Home
• Yachts for Charter
• Charter Destinations
• Charter Broker Directory
• Destinations Home
• Mediterranean
• South Pacific
• Rest of the World
• Boat Life Home
• Owners' Experiences
• Conservation and Philanthropy
• Interiors Suppliers
• Owners' Club
• Captains' Club
• BOAT Showcase
• Boat Presents
• Events Home
• World Superyacht Awards
• Superyacht Design Festival
• Design and Innovation Awards
• Young Designer of the Year Award
• Artistry and Craft Awards
• Explorer Yachts Summit
• Ocean Talks
• The Ocean Awards
• BOAT Connect
• Between the bays
• Golf Invitational
• BOATPro Home
• Superyacht Insight
• Global Order Book
• Premium Content
• Product Features
• Testimonials
• Pricing Plan
• Tenders & Equipment

Fire devastates historic Antigua Yacht Club Marina

Antigua Yacht Club Marina in Falmouth Harbour has been devastated by a fire that began in the late hours of 2 October.

The cause of the blaze is not yet known, although local reports have attributed the fire to a lightning strike caused by the tropical storm Philipe which made landfall in Barbuda on the same day as the fire. 

Flames had engulfed the yacht club by midnight, with firefighter's efforts hampered by strong winds. According to a statement by Antigua & Barbuda's National Office of Disaster Services, firefighters were still attempting to suppress the blaze by 5am. 

Local businesses have been razed by the fire, including Skull Duggery Café and Cloggy's.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne commented on the situation online: "Giving thanks that no one got seriously hurt. We have been spared the worst. As a resilient people, we soldier on [...] while assisting the business and property owners to rebuild." He also noted that the destruction would result in "at least 100 job losses".

The formerly abandoned Alfa Nero was removed from the site prior to the blaze. No casualties have been reported.

A statement by the yacht club reads: "Antigua Yacht Club Marina is deeply devastated by the fires that occurred last night, particularly affecting the facilities and services within our main complex. Our thoughts are with the affected business owners and their employees during this difficult time."

It continued: "Despite this unfortunate incident, we want to assure our valued members, patrons, and the sailing community that the main marina facilities, including diesel, water, electricity, and dockage, remain fully operational. We are committed to providing uninterrupted services to our visitors and guests."

Sign up to BOAT Briefing email

Latest news, brokerage headlines and yacht exclusives, every weekday

By signing up for BOAT newsletters, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy .

More stories

Most popular, from our partners, sponsored listings.

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience and security.

• Leisure Marine
• Maritime, Commercial & Defence
• Boats and Outboards
• Construction Materials
• Engines and Propulsion Systems
• Marina and Yard
• Marine Electronics
• Safety Equipment
• People on the move
• Shows & Events

Fire destroys buildings at historic yacht club

Thursday, October 5th, 2023

Written by: Marine Industry News

A severe fire that broke out in Falmouth Harbour, Antigua, has caused significant damage to the historic Antigua Yacht Club Marina & Resort on the island’s southeastern coast.

The cause of the fire, which started on Tuesday (3 October 2023), has not been confirmed. However, local reports have linked it to a lightning strike during tropical storm Philippe, which struck Barbuda on the same day.

Firefighters attended the scene, but strong winds hampered their efforts to bring the blaze under control. A statement by Antigua & Barbuda’s National Office of Disaster Services says firefighters were still attempting to suppress the blaze at 5am on Wednesday.

This has caused the closure of several well-known restaurants, cafes and businesses in the proximity of the Antigua Yacht Club, with some being burned to the ground. Local reports state that up to 100 people may have lost their job as a result. The Yacht Club building itself has survived.

State media ABS reports that the fire has affected Skull Duggery café, Yacht Club Marina Gym, Cloggy’s, Dock Master Office and Dockside Liquor in the yacht club’s commercial building. No serious injuries have been reported.

In a post shared on Facebook, Prime Minister Gaston Browne said: “Giving thanks that no one got seriously hurt. We have been spared the worst. As a resilient people, we soldier on.”

The ‘abandoned’ superyacht Alfa Nero , which is currently at the centre of a legal wrangle after a failed attempt to sell it to Google’s ex-CEO, was docked at Antigua Yacht Club Marina but was moved on Monday before the storm.

The National Office of Disaster Service (NODS) in Antigua and Barbuda says there have been over 30 requests for search and rescue following widespread flooding throughout the island after storm Philippe passed.

Antigua Yacht Club Marina has issued a statement saying it is “deeply devastated by the fires” that have impacted the facilities and services within its main complex. “Our thoughts are with the affected business owners and their employees during this difficult time.”

It adds: “Despite this unfortunate incident, we want to assure our valued members, patrons, and the sailing community that the main marina facilities, including diesel, water, electricity, and dockage, remain fully operational. We are committed to providing uninterrupted services to our visitors and guests.

“A new location for our office has already been set in motion to ensure seamless communication and assistance for all our customers.”

Images courtesy of Cloggy’s .

• Marine fire news

New chair of the GMBA on attracting Gen Z to the marine industry

Nominations open for MDL’s Sail Training Awards 2024

Friday, October 6th, 2023

3 responses to “Fire destroys buildings at historic yacht club”

Hi all its the commercial building which is part of the Antigua Yacht Club MARINA not the club that was destroted . We have temporarily lost some iconic watering holes in Cloggies , Seabreeze and Skullduggeries and some excellent local business but the Yacht Club and surrounding buildings and restaurants were untouched

Dosent’ t look at all, even in part, like the old yacht club.

You’re right – it’s because it’s not! The old yacht club has survived as it’s set well apart from this burnt new(er) building. As Peter Anthony above says, it’s the commercial building which is part of the Yacht Club Marina which has been destroyed. The original white wooden building which has always been Antigua Yacht Club (not Yacht Club Marina), is still standing So sorry for everyone who had businesses in the new building – really traumatizing and the loss of their income just before the season picks up. Joyce’s supermarket alone provided employment for many. A sad time.

MIN magazine

Dive into MIN’s print edition which is now online for your convenience. More stories, more in-depth features, more product news and more exclusive interviews. Enjoy thoughtful analysis of the marine trade sector from across the world and get onboard with new trends.

Published on October 4th, 2023 | by Editor

Tragedy for Antigua community

Published on October 4th, 2023 by Editor -->

A fire on October 2 swept has swept through the Antigua Yacht Club Marina & Resort in English Harbour on the southeastern coast of Antigua, destroying the facility along with several neighboring business including Skull Duggery café, Cloggy’s, Dock Master Office, and Dockside Liquor. The damage has left more than 100 people are reportedly unemployed.

The Antigua Yacht Club is described as one of the best-known Yacht Clubs in the Caribbean and hosts some of the most prestigious sailing events in the Caribbean, namely the RORC Caribbean 600, Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta, and Antigua Sailing Week.

In 2015, it hosted the Optimist North American Championship for the first time and the club was again invited to host the event in 2016, and in 2019, it hosted the Optimist World Championship.

Commodore of Antigua Yacht Club, Franklyn Braithwaite, confirmed the club buildings were unaffected by the fire, and the schedule for the Caribbean 600 is unaffected by this terrible fire.

In combating the blaze, firefighters were hampered by the strong winds and rains associated with the passage of Topical Storm Philippe. It is believed the fire was started by lightning during the storm.

Shaun Falcone, on behalf of the Falcone Family that owns the facility, provides this statement:

Antigua Yacht Club Marina is deeply devastated by the fires, particularly affecting the facilities and services within our main complex. Our thoughts are with the affected business owners and their employees during this difficult time.

Despite this unfortunate incident, we want to assure our valued members, patrons, and the sailing community that the main marina facilities, including diesel, water, electricity, and dockage, remain fully operational. We are committed to providing uninterrupted services to our visitors and guests.

A new location for our office has already been set in motion to ensure seamless communication and assistance for all our customers.

We are grateful for the overwhelming support and concern expressed by our community, and we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has reached out to us during this challenging time. Your support is invaluable, and we are determined to make the upcoming season a great one, albeit with some adjustments.

Antigua Yacht Club Marina remains resilient and determined to continue serving the sailing and yachting community with the same dedication and excellence. We look forward to welcoming you back and appreciate your continued trust in us.

Tags: Antigua , Antigua Yacht Club , Carlo Falcone

Related Posts

Caribbean Travel Awards 2023 →

Youth Storm Coming to the Caribbean →

Mission Critical: Return to the Caribbean →

Help the Caribbean by Coming to the Caribbean →

© 2024 Scuttlebutt Sailing News. Inbox Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved. made by VSSL Agency .

• Privacy Statement
• Advertise With Us

Get Your Sailing News Fix!

Your download by email.

• Your Name...
• Your Email... *
• Phone This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

By Conor Feasey 03 Oct 2023

Inferno at Antiguan harbour

Falmouth harbour was ablaze in the early hours of october 3rd as antigua and barbuda were caught in the midst of a raging tropical storm….

An inferno engulfed Falmouth Harbour, Antigua as Tropical Storm Phillipe travelled across the islands in the early hours of this morning (Tuesday 3rd). Whilst some reports claim it was instigated by lightning, the cause of the fire is still under investigation. No deaths or injuries have been reported at this moment in time. Government authorities are also reporting widespread flooding on both islands.

“First and foremost, the most important thing is that everyone is safe. No one has been hurt or injured,” Devin Joseph, Yachting and Sailing Business Development Manager, Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Authority tells SuperyachtNews. “The commercial building, however, has been fully destroyed, which housed the Dock Master's Office, Cloggy’s restaurant, Turtle Surf Shop, Skulduggery bar and café,  Ari fish shop, Dockside supermarket, Marina Gym, and Seabreeze bar and café.”

The building also had a BWA Yachting office on the second floor and an Access Marine office on the ground floor. “So all of those businesses that supported the yachting industry for the marina unfortunately have been completely destroyed,” adds Joseph.

Firefighters have since extinguished the blaze. But the excessively high winds caused by the storm continued to whip up the fire, spreading the flames across the marina, and making progress difficult for rescuers. An explosion caused by a propane tank at one of the restaurants also fueled the fire. 

Severe heavy rainfall from Tropical Storm Phillipe is also causing flooding in both Antigua and Barbuda. The Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Service says four to six inches of rainfall are expected over the next two days. 

Both islands were under a tropical storm warning and a flash flood watch as of 4pm on Monday, but authorities have since received numerous calls for assistance from low-lying areas in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Grays Farm, Point and Cooks are the areas mainly affected at this time. Security forces are currently responding to distress calls.

The storm also raised further fears for the yachting community. Notably, government authorities previously cited that a central reason for seizing and attempting to sell Alfa Nero was that in the event of it sinking during a tropical storm or hurricane, it would block the waterways and cause an ecological disaster. This would be severely detrimental to the islands, whose economy is bolstered by the yachting community every year, but Joseph assures that no such cases have occurred.

“To be clear, the channel is completely unobstructed with no sunken yachts or boats impeding the entrance of the harbour,” he says. “All precautions to ensure the harbour is a safe haven for all vessels were taken before the arrival of the storm and no boats were damaged during the fire either.” 

Whilst the costs of the damage remain unclear, Joseph maintains that the impact of the fire on Antigua and Barbuda’s yachting season is minimal. “The marina will remain fully active. I have spoken to the owners and they have already relocated to another office building on the marina,” he says. “Operations, electricity, water and fuel lines are all completely intact. There will obviously need to be repairs to the marina itself, but nothing that will prevent yachts from coming in”. 

The next step is to work with the government in order to support the yachting season and ensure it continues as usual. “As for the marina, the docks and structures are still intact,” says Joesph. “There will be a big cleanup effort to make sure that everything is aesthetically to our standards. But as for operations and so forth, everything will continue as normal. The rest of the marina still offers ample services for boats, as well as plenty of restaurants and shopping opportunities for guests.” 

Whilst it is unfortunate that the marina and its business partners have lost their businesses, the people of Antigua and Barbuda remain resilient in the face of adversity, adds Joseph. “We will simply rebuild and continue to provide the high standards of services and experiences Antigua is renowned to have,” he says.

“We understand that owners, captains, brokers, agents and other well-wishers are concerned, but we are still smiling and ready to welcome everyone to our vibrant yachting season.”

Join the discussion

To post comments please Sign in or Register

When commenting please follow our house rules

Click here to become part of The Superyacht Group community, and join us in our mission to make this industry accessible to all, and prosperous for the long-term. We are offering access to the superyacht industry’s most comprehensive and longstanding archive of business-critical information, as well as a comprehensive, real-time superyacht fleet database, for just £10 per month, because we are One Industry with One Mission. Sign up here .

Related news

Eric Schmidt retracts Alfa Nero bid

Amid constant legal battles, the former Google CEO has walked away from purchasing the superyacht, adding to the quagmire

Yacht destroyed in Sydney Harbour

Australian authorities have launched an investigation into a fire that destroyed a yacht on Saturday night

Formentera yacht engulfed in blaze

Passengers and crew scrambled to abandon ship as a 28m Astondoa yacht was destroyed in a fire whilst it was anchored off the Balearic Island

Stream Marine Training demands change

The maritime training firm has called for immediate updates to fire safety training following the death of a seafarer

Fire breaks out at Versilia Supply Service

A major fire engulfed the Versilia Supply Service warehouse in Viareggio, no reported casualties at this stage

Are lithium-ion batteries on yachts safe?

Pantaenius UK shares insights from an expert marine industry panel

12 months ago

Sign up to the SuperyachtNews Bulletin

Receive unrivalled market intelligence, weekly headlines and the most relevant and insightful journalism directly to your inbox.

Sign up to the SuperyachtNews Bulletin

The superyachtnews app.

Follow us on

Media Pack Request

Please select exactly what you would like to receive from us by ticking the boxes below:

SuperyachtNews.com

Register to comment

• Environment
• Find a Consulate
• News from the Caribbean
• Demographic Research

CMCFeature-New research links the treasure ship to legendary pirates of the…

Cmcfeature caribbean– verification of election results: a pathway to progress for…, feature caribbean- why the oas matters to all of us, cmcfeature-small island developing states need finance to tackle the climate crisis., cmcfeature united states- nyc mayor welcomes biden’s executive order providing work…, state senator kevin parker hosts annual youth symposium brooklyn, ny., the u.s. calls on the international community to do more to…, churches to hold “time of prayer” for jamaica, haiti-violence-medical group appeals for an end to violence as the death…, the united states allocates funds to boost security in haiti., caribbean-trinidad to host cphd forum and ippc workshop, jamaica- the government seeks to meet objectives under the nrca act., guyana-guyana signs agreement for multi-million dollar waste treatment plant., bermuda-leader of the opposition party, says climate change is being used…, bermuda-government rejects calls to extend the deadline for environmental talks., belize-belize signs multi-million dollar loan contracts with idb for healthcare development, st. lucia-government injects funds into the main hospital in st. lucia., jamaica-doctor urges immediate treatment for consuming poisonous substances., caribbean-who says europe can defeat mpox and must support vaccine availability, trinidad-new initiative to deal with mental health issues, the sunshine awards organization, public engagement unit announces live tenant helpline to keep new yorkers…, community op-ed:, will guyana  become an elite top-five global oil producer by 2025, another one bites the dust (#2); by rock hermon hackshaw., guyanese americans call on governor to sign diwali holiday bill into…, why do trelawny athletes run so fast , …..opec cuts will derail the dems….,  anthony fauci leaving; serena evolving,  britain thanks caribbean migrants for their contribution to the u.k., athletics-stona gears up for a thrilling finale at boris hanžeković memorial, cricket- carlton baugh jnr joins windward islands volcanoes as assistant coach, motor racing-jamaican mcconnell ready to accelerate into third nitrocross season, athletics-alfred set to compete for the first time since paris olympics, horse racing-saffie wins 10th straight title at gulfstream park, united states-shooting mars west indian american day carnival parade, british virgin islands-bvi to host oecs environment ministers meeting, “sukihana, vybz kartel, and jonny blaze & stadic turn up the…, caribbean-trafficked set to tour the caribbean with the first stop in…, “harmonizing passions: dr. ric ric’s melodic prescription”, caribbean-barbados tourism minister is the new cto chairman., caribbean-caribbean tourism stakeholders gather in the cayman islands., barbados-jetblue expands service from barbados to boston., caribbean-cdb helps chart the course for sustainable public road transport in…, dominica-dominica hopeful of regaining visa-free status in the united kingdom, antigua-fire destroys historic antigua yacht club..

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – A fire has swept through the Yacht Club in English Harbour on the southeastern coast of Antigua, destroying several businesses and leaving more than 100 people unemployed.

In a message posted on his Facebook page, Prime Minister Gaston Browne said that the Yacht Club was utterly “gutted” by the fire. Firefighters were hampered by the strong winds and rains associated with the passage of Topical Storm Philippe on Tuesday.

“Several businesses were destroyed, resulting in at least 100 job losses. Sad! Notwithstanding, we give thanks and soldier on while assisting the business and property owners in rebuilding,” he wrote.

He said the Yacht Club Marina was where the “Alfa Nero was docked.”

The 81.3-metre Alfa Nero was sold at auction on June 16 for $67,000,677, having been declared abandoned by the government of Antigua and Barbuda, but has been wrapped up in litigation ever since.

Former Google chief executive officer Eric Schmidt, to whom the yacht had been solid, reportedly backed out of the deal amid “legal wrangling.”

The fire at the Yacht Club also destroyed neighboring businesses, including Skull Duggery café, Cloggy’s, Dock Master Office, and Dockside Liquor.

The Antigua Yacht Club is described as one of the best-known Yacht Clubs in the Caribbean. It hosts some of the most prestigious sailing events in the Caribbean: The RORC Caribbean 600, Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta, and Antigua Sailing Week.

In 2015, it hosted the Optimist North American Championship for the first time, and the Club was again invited to host the event in 2016. and in 2019, it hosted the Optimist World Championship.

Share this:

• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)

RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR

Canada-canadian prime minister pays tribute to sir shridath ramphal., jamaica-junior minister resigns, leave a reply cancel reply.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

Notify me of new posts by email.

LATEST NEWS

Grenada-grenada to hold a virtual meeting for 2030 bondholders., popular posts, caribbean-paho focuses on primary health care, infectious diseases, and pandemic preparedness..., united states- us immigration enforcement authorities conduct single adult, family unit..., windies hope to defy recent form and stun hosts, popular category.

• Politics 2063
• Breaking News 1997
• Sports 1888
• Business 1575
• What’s Happening 951
• Economic Development 458

Install Caribbean Times On Your Homescreen

Add Caribbean Times to your Homescreen!

• Announcements
• Agriculture
• Having troubles with your homework, then go to –
• Privacy Policy

LETTER: ABLP hierarchy needs to be mindful that welcoming former UPP...

• News Updates Subscription

Caribbean News Service

We Know the Caribbean

• Caribbean News

Fire destroys historic Yacht Club in Antigua

A fire swept has swept through the Yacht Club in English Harbour on the southeastern coast of Antigua, destroying several businesses and leaving more than 100 people unemployed.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne in a message posted on his Facebook page said that the Yacht Club was completely “gutted” by the fire. Firefighters were hampered by the strong winds and rains associated with the passage of Topical Storm Philippe on Tuesday.

“Several businesses were destroyed resulting in at least 100 job losses. Sad! Notwithstanding, we give thanks and soldier on; while assisting the business and property owners to rebuild,” he wrote.

He said that the Yacht Club Marina was the place where the “Alfa Nero was docked”.

The 81.3-metre Alfa Nero was sold at auction on June 16 for $67,000,677, having been declared abandoned by the government of Antigua and Barbuda, but has been wrapped up in litigation ever since.

Former Google chief executive officer, Eric Schmidt, to whom the yacht had been solid, is reported to have backed out of the deal amid “legal wrangling”.

The fire at the Yacht Club also destroyed neighbouring business including Skull Duggery café, Cloggy’s, Dock Master Office, and Dockside Liquor.

The Antigua Yacht Club is described as one of the best-known Yacht Clubs in the Caribbean and hosts some of the most prestigious sailing events in the Caribbean, namely The RORC Caribbean 600, Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta and Antigua Sailing Week.

In 2015, it hosted the Optimist North American Championship for the first time and the club was again invited to host the event in 2016, and in 2019, it hosted the Optimist World Championship.

Related News

Forging New Opportunities to Finance Circular Economy Solutions in the Caribbean

Guyana announces National Funeral of Honour for the late Sir Shridath Ramphal

Opposition presidential candidate González flees Venezuela for asylum in Spain

© All Rights Reserved.

About Mikey Live

Grenada News

Caribbean News

• Letter To The Editor
• Entertainment

Mikey Live Program

• Live Streams

• CARIBBEAN NEWS
• LATEST CARIBBEAN NEWS

Antigua: Fire At English Harbour Guts Several Businesses

(ST VINCENT TIMES) –

In   Antigua   a   fire   has   gutted   several   businesses   at   English   Harbour   even   as   the   island   faced   heavy   rains ,  lightning   and   widespread   flooding   from   Tropical   Storm   Philippe .

The   prime   minister   noted   the   Yacht   Club   Marina   where   the   Alfa   Nero   was   docked ,  was   completely   gutted   by   fire .

Meanwhile   in   a   situation   on   Tropical   Storm   Philippe ,  the   National   Office   of   Disaster   Service   in   Antigua   and   Barbuda   says   there   have   been   over   30   requests   for   search   and   rescue   following   widespread   flooding   throughout   the   island   as   a   result   of   conditions   associated   with   Tropical   Storm   Philippe .

There   were   also   individuals   whose   homes   were   flooded   in   areas   such   as   Piggotts .

There   was   one   report   that   a   bus   got   stuck   in   flood   waters   in   the   Golden   Grove   extension   area .

District   Disaster   Coordinators   who   volunteer   on   behalf   of   NODS   in   various   communities   have   reported   flooding   in   quite   a   number   of   other   areas   like   Upper   Fort   Road ,  Grays   Farm/Green   Bay   and   other   communities .

NODS   says   in   addition   to   the   flooding   and   rescue   efforts ,  firefighters   continue   to   suppress   a   major   fire   that   is   now   taking   place   at   the   Yacht   Club   Marina   in   English   Harbour .

RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR

Fire at school dormitory in kenya kills 18 students, 27 others hospitalised, jamaican women fined over confrontation with immigration officer in antigua, to be deported, caricom young professionals programme to enhance youth involvement in csme implementation.

Mikey Live is a new, live, 1 hour Social Media show, which focuses on the latest developments in Grenada and to a lesser extent, the region. It is presented in a news format, however, tailored in a light and entertaining way. The program affords viewers the ability to participate in real time discussions and make comments on what’s being featured. Our motto “News Discussed, Not Told”. The program focuses on a wide range of topics and targets a young, dynamic audience, while at the same time catering to senior citizens. The show is live at 8:30pm, weeknights, and is available for replay or download immediately after.

• Address: St. George's Grenada
• Email: [email protected]
• Phone: 1-473-414-9995

Copyright © 2015-2020 by MikeyLive | All Rights Reserved

Fire At School Dormitory In Kenya Kills 18 Students, 27 Others...

In Antigua, Fire at English Harbour guts several businesses

Sign in to your account

Remember me

• Website Rate Card
• 2024 Rate Card
• Media Guide
• Paper Schedule
• All Documents

• Latest News

Fire Destroys Historic Antigua Yacht Club in English Harbour

ST. JOHN’S, Antigua – A fire swept has swept through the Yacht Club in English Harbour on the southeastern coast of Antigua, destroying several businesses and leaving more than 100 people unemployed.

“Several businesses were destroyed resulting in at least 100 job losses. Sad ! Notwithstanding, we give thanks and soldier on; while assisting the business and property owners to rebuild,” he wrote.

He said that the Yacht Club Marina was the place where the “Alfa Nero was docked”.

The 81.3-metre Alfa Nero was sold at auction on  June 16 for $67,000,677 having been declared abandoned by the government of Antigua and Barbuda, but has been wrapped up in litigation ever since.

Former Google chief executive officer, Eric Schmidt to whom the yacht had been solid, is reported to have backed out of the deal amid “legal wrangling”.

The fire at the Yacht Club also destroyed neighboring business  including Skull Duggery café, Cloggy’s, Dock Master Office, and Dockside Liquor.

The Antigua Yacht Club is described as one of the best known Yacht Clubs in the Caribbean and hosts some of the most prestigious sailing events in the Caribbean, namely The RORC Caribbean 600, Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta and Antigua Sailing Week

In 2015 it hosted the Optimist North American Championship for the first time and the Club was again invited to host the event in 2016 and in 2019, it hosted the Optimist World Championship.

• Sports News
• Regional News
• Entertainment
• Miscellaneous
• Business Information

9020 Sw 152nd St Palmetto Bay, Florida 33157-1928, US   (305) 238-2868

• Environment
• Silver Sands
• Newsletters