Local News
Haycraft Family’s Generous Donation Supports Marine Studies Program at HLSCC
The late Mr. Peter Haycraft’s family is paying tribute to his legacy and supporting the next generation of professionals in the marine industry through a generous monetary gift to the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College’s (HLSCC) Centre for Applied Marine Studies.
The family has pledged a significant donation to fund paid apprenticeships for participants enrolled in the College’s Marine Professional Training (MPT) program. The initial focus will be on providing this opportunity to the twelve students in each cohort, who undergo ten consecutive weeks of intensive workshops covering six certification modules, followed by eight weeks of apprenticeship. Additionally, the family’s contribution was supplemented by several smaller donations from the hosts of MPT’s Cohort 5 apprenticeships.
In a joint effort with Nanny Cay, the family has also donated three 40ft. containers to support the instruction of the Fire Prevention and Basic Fire Fighting module within the College’s Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW) for Seafarers course. These containers are currently located on the College’s South Campus.
Dr. Richard Georges, President of HLSCC, expressed his gratitude to the Haycraft family, stating, “We are truly grateful that the Haycraft family has chosen to support our Marine and Maritime programs in honor of Mr. Peter Haycraft. Mr. Haycraft’s philanthropic legacy in the Territory is enduring, and these gifts to the College ensure that generations of Virgin Islanders will benefit from his spirit of generosity.”
The family revealed that Mr. Peter Haycraft began his career at the age of 16, joining the Merchant Navy as an apprentice. Over the next decade, he gained valuable experience working on various vessels worldwide, ranging from oil tankers to coastal trading ships, all while pursuing his Master’s Ticket. Eventually, he arrived in Tortola as the captain of The Youth of Tortola, overseeing the ferry operations between Tortola and St. Thomas. Mr. Haycraft played a pivotal role in establishing direct shipping routes from Europe and North America to Tortola even before the construction of Port Purcell. This involved unloading cargo from anchored vessels in Road Harbour, manually transferring it to the ferry dock, and transporting it to warehouses.
In 1962, Mr. Haycraft purchased a 57ft Motor Fishing vessel in the United Kingdom and successfully sailed the Kilros across the Atlantic to Tortola. He later acquired three barges from Antigua, completing the fleet necessary for efficient cargo transportation from ship to shore. This marked the beginning of Island Shipping and Trading Co. Furthermore, Mr. Haycraft became the only qualified local to serve as a Harbour Pilot, fulfilling this duty for many years, including guiding the Royal Yacht Britannia with the late Queen Elizabeth on board.
As Road Town Wholesale Co. expanded, Mr. Haycraft was determined to involve his local staff, enabling them to become shareholders and providing opportunities for further education and training abroad. He led by example, never shying away from hard work or long hours, and expected the same dedication from his employees, many of whom benefited from his guidance and mentorship, fostering loyalty to the company.
The Haycraft family expressed their motivation for supporting this program, stating, “We are committed to ensuring the continuity of this program as we firmly believe in its significance for the future of the British Virgin Islands.”
For more information about HLSCC’s marine and maritime programs or to contribute as a donor to the College, please contact Ms. Susan Zaluski, Director of Marine and Maritime Studies, at szaluski@hlscc.edu.vg, and Ms. Yvonne Crabbe, Director of Institutional Advancement, at ycrabbe@hlscc.edu.vg.
Education
Former Legislator Dr Kedrick Pickering Becomes International Best-Selling Author with New Book
Dr Kedrick Pickering, former legislator and renowned obstetrician, has achieved international recognition with the release of his book, Walk in Faith & Medicine: Daily Lessons & Insights from a Doctor’s Handwritten Journal. Published on December 12, the 139-page Kindle edition has swiftly become the number one New Release in Obstetrics & Gynaecology on Amazon, earning Dr Pickering a place among Amazon’s International Best Sellers.
Walk in Faith & Medicine provides readers with a deeply personal account of Dr Pickering’s tenure as the only Obstetrician and Gynaecologist in the British Virgin Islands for nearly three decades. The book intricately weaves his medical experiences with his spiritual reflections, offering profound insights into the challenges of practising medicine in a setting where resources were often limited, but faith and resilience were abundant.
Through heartfelt anecdotes, Dr Pickering recounts the joys and struggles of his career, from the miracle of delivering life under difficult circumstances to the strength he found in spirituality when faced with adversity. Each chapter sheds light on the delicate balance between clinical expertise and moral contemplation.
The book’s release has received widespread acclaim, resonating with audiences in both medical and spiritual communities. Its success highlights Dr Pickering’s unique ability to capture the human side of healthcare while addressing universal themes of faith and hope.
Walk in Faith & Medicine is available exclusively as a Kindle edition and is already being hailed as an inspirational must-read.
The Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) brought smiles to the faces of over 100 children in the British Virgin Islands with a generous donation of Christmas gifts. The initiative, held on December 16, was a collaborative effort between the FCCA, the Government of the Virgin Islands, and the Youth Empowerment Project (YEP).
The festivities took place at YEP Headquarters in East End, where children were treated to a festive celebration. Staff from the MSC Virtuosa Cruise Ship donned Santa Claus and other character costumes, adding to the magic of the occasion. The event also received sponsorship from Diamond International.
Premier and Minister of Finance Hon. Dr. Natalio D. Wheatley expressed his gratitude for the FCCA’s ongoing commitment to the Virgin Islands community. “The leadership of the FCCA is a thoughtful group of individuals. For more than two decades, their gift-giving has brought smiles and filled hearts with joy and hope during this special time of year,” said Premier Wheatley. “On behalf of the Government of the Virgin Islands, I extend our sincere thanks to the FCCA and their co-sponsors for their generosity.”
Minister for Ports Hon. Kye M. Rymer highlighted the FCCA’s enduring partnership with the territory. “Their commitment to gift-giving for over 20 years deserves our acknowledgment,” said Rymer. He also commended the BVI Ports Authority for its collaboration with the FCCA in supporting such initiatives.
Director of YEP Hon. Stacy Mather shared his appreciation for the FCCA’s efforts. “This marks our second time receiving gifts from this initiative. We are incredibly fortunate and grateful for this generosity,” he said. “Thanks to the kindness of FCCA, Diamond International, and others, our Christmas celebrations begin a little earlier.”
The event was moderated by Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of Communications and Works, Ms. Haley Trott, and attended by Junior Minister for Tourism Hon. Luce Hodge-Smith, Deputy Director of YEP Ms. Bianca Dougan, and other community leaders.
As the festive season brings increased consumer activity, the British Virgin Islands Bank Association (BVIBA) has issued a stern reminder to merchants across the territory regarding compliance with card transaction policies.
The association warns that imposing minimum spending requirements or charging additional fees for card payments is not only against their merchant agreements but also violates regulations established by major payment networks, VISA and Mastercard.
The advisory, issued on Wednesday, December 18, warns that merchants engaging in these practices are in breach of their contractual obligations with their respective financial institutions. “We request that all merchants immediately cease these practices to ensure compliance,” the statement read.
The BVIBA comprises several prominent financial institutions, including Bank of Asia (BVI) Limited, CIBC Caribbean, FirstBank PR, National Bank of the Virgin Islands, Popular, Republic Bank (BVI) Limited, and VP Bank (BVI) Limited.
For inquiries or guidance on compliance, the BVIBA advises merchants to contact their respective banks promptly.
Former Legislator Dr Kedrick Pickering Becomes International Best-Selling Author with New Book
FCCA Spreads Holiday Cheer in the British Virgin Islands with Christmas Gift Donation
BVI Bank Association Warns Merchants Against Card Transaction Violations
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