Hundreds of Virgin Islanders converged along the Charlotte Amalie Waterfront Sunday to enjoy boat racing and each other’s company. The annual Carnival Boat Races brought mariners and spectators together to watch vessels zip along the coastline.
Dozens of pleasurecraft rafted up from Vendor’s Plaza and westward, giving passengers a comfortable perch to view the action. Intermittent spurts of motorcycles sped along Veterans Drive throughout the afternoon.
There were also those who chose to take it slow.
A card table and a pile of dominoes set the stage for some friendly competition.
Live bands and deejays kept the mood upbeat while race announcer Elroy Donovan Jr. called the start for each racing class: Zap Cats, 12-16 ft. speedboats; 21- to 22-footers; 24-ft V-Hulls; 27-to 30-ft. V-Hulls; Offshore Class and Unlimited Class racers — all under the watch of VI Police and DPNR Enforcement units.
Up for grabs for the winners — cash prizes totaling $20,000. Donovan, the announcer, said he had been coming to Carnival boat races since he was, “a small child, and now I’m 63.” Beside him sat race day honoree Glenville Ross Sr., who called the races in the early days.
One of the day’s races was named in honor of Ross.
Food, beverage and craft vendors were on hand to serve the public. Among them was a group from the nonprofit USVI Marine Vocational Program. Program President Winston Clyne called Sunday’s event an opportunity to solicit public support. “We teach kids everything within the marine industry — sailing, learning to swim, scuba diving, sailing vessels and power vessels, boat mechanics, fishing — just about everything in the marine industry,” Clyne said.
Port Authority Marine Manager Joey Cranston greeted spectators as he strolled along. “We at the Port Authority look forward to cooperation with the (Tourism Department) Division of Festivals to have everybody come out and have a good time,” Cranston said.
