by Curlan Campbell
- 4th year of World Cruising Club–Grenada Tourism Authority partnership
- Yachts brought repair and construction toolkits to support hurricane relief
- Toolkits on priority list of items for hurricane relief
Participants in the ARC+ rally — from Gran Canaria to Grenada via Cape Verde — brought recovery toolkits to support the relief efforts for the people of Carriacou and Petite Martinique in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl.
The World Cruising Club (WCC), in collaboration with The Marina & Yachting Association of Grenada (MAYAG), encouraged ARC+ 24 yachts to bring toolkits listed as priority items for hurricane relief by the Office of the Prime Minister of Grenada. The items donated by ARC+ yachts include repair and construction tools to assist those impacted by Hurricane Beryl, a Category 4 storm that caused extensive damage in July and destroyed over 95% of homes on both islands.
“So far, we’ve had 10 boats bringing in toolkits,” said Zara Tremlett, General Manager, Camper & Nicholsons Port Louis Marina. “It was an incredible collaboration. Everyone worked together to spread the word and inform the participants, which made the event very special. We are grateful for events like this that allow us to come together and help others.”
The 94 yachts participating in the ARC+ rally first sailed to Mindelo in Cape Verde before departing on 22 November for St George’s, Grenada. A total of 88 yachts arrived on Monday after covering a distance of 2,150 nautical miles, concluding their journey at Camper & Nicholsons Port Louis Marina.
ARC+ Event Manager Fergus Dunipace reported that this year’s event attracted a record 94 boats, including 27 multi-hulls, reflecting their growing popularity. Despite space constraints due to the 2-hull design, the event continues to thrive, with participants from 22 different nationalities totalling between 400 and 450 individuals. Dunipace emphasised that the event supports Grenada’s green tourism and boosts local businesses such as restaurants, bars, and marine services, as participants arrive with various maintenance needs. The international character of the event and its positive economic impact on the local community are noteworthy.
Salto (NOR), an Outremer 52, was the first to finish on Tuesday, 3 December, completing the course in 11 days, 17 hours, and 10 minutes.
This is the 4th year that World Cruising Club has partnered with the Grenada Tourism Authority (GTA).
GTA Chief Operating Officer Kirl Hoschtialek welcomed the ARC+ series as significant for Grenada’s tourism and yachting industry, raising its profile globally and increasing arrivals, emphasising the importance of sustainability, branding Grenada as the “pure Grenada spice of the Caribbean,” and the economic impact on local businesses. “The endorsement of Grenada as a safe and mature yachting destination by the World Cruising Club is significant and brings substantial benefits. This endorsement is part of the many advantages we gain from hosting such a prestigious event. It enhances our promotions and branding, increases brand awareness, and attracts a wide global yachting audience, which is crucial for our growth,” Hoschtialek said.
ARC+ is one of 3 international nautical events starting in the Canary Islands and ending in Grenada between December 2024 and February 2025. The other 2 events are the Royal Ocean Racing Club Transatlantic Race in January and the Viking Explorers Friendly Rally in February 2025.
