I'm sorry to hear of this unfortunate incident but wonder why you didn't call back Captain Red when the boat he recommended as an alternative wasn't able to take you. "DoubleHeader" is right there at Sapphire too and you might have been able to work it out with them or one of the other charter fishing boats operating out of the marina.

The fact that Abigail wasn't in her slip means nothing at all. If she had a mechanical problem, that doesn't mean that she was completely down and it's likely that if this were the case then she was moved to a location where she could be fixed. Abigail does have an excellent reputation.

Sorry again that your day was spoiled but hope that the rest of your visit was enjoyable!

Double header has a fleet of three all of which are center consoles, which is fine for my husband and son but I would like to enjoy the comforts of a 44 foot craft. We did call Captain Red back and left a message that we would be available to do Friday however he never called/nor left a voice message. Sorry but this is poor business policy in my eyes, too many strikes to convince me otherwise. Also, why would you recommend another captain without calling him to make sure he can fit my needs. Again, he wasn't interested in customer service. Captain Red could have said I have problems with the boat/engine and so without an explanation I can only guess.

This island isn't know for customer service that's for sure! To make it worst some ppl defend these behaviors telling us to go home if we don't like it.

Gee Islandlovin:

Do you live here and actually know what goes on, day to day?

Capt. Red has an excellent reputation and is a responsible, stand up charter captain.
He called to let them know in advance that he was unable to take them out, he tried to set up their trip with another fishing boat, he didn't take them out and charge them then say "sorry, we can't go offshore, today!" or take them out and have the boat break down and be bobbing around waiting for a tow back to the dock. He didn't have them show up to the marina at their appointed time to find he wasn't there when
he said he would be taking them out. He told them he could NOT be available.

I am sure Capt. Red would have enjoyed making the money for an all day charter rather than not being able to do so. Boat upkeep, maintenance, fuel and docking are expensive. No captain is going to turn away a full day charter without a good reason. Stuff hapens, especially when it comes to boats.

As STT Resident mentioned, just because he wasn't at the dock when they went by didn't mean he had not gone to the boat-yard to have repairs done. The charter business is very competitive and there were dozens of other fishing boats to choose from if the one he recommended was also unable to take them out..

No place can fulfill one's expectations 100%. Not even on the US mainland.
Things happen and one must roll with it and move on. Sorry the trip didn't happen but dissing businesses and people in public forums is harmful to their business, seems petty and vengeful .

We all want our guests and visitors to have wonderful experiences when they come to the USVI.
Sometimes expectations cannot be 100% fulfilled.

In response to Alana33's post, when I make arrangements and agreements with someone, I expect them to go out of their way to fulfill their responsibilities. I am not being vengeful and vendictive. My point is that if Captain Red had a problem with his boat, he could have just said that, he did not. We would have understood that issue. This was to be the highlight of our vacation. I understand if "stuff" happens with boats, we have one also. The second strike for me was Captain Red's referral to another charter captain. Wouldn't you believe that if you just cancelled someone's charter the day before their trip, that you would do everything you could to set them up with another one? My intent was not to ruin someone's business, if Captain Red has such a reliable reputation, then this blog should not put a dent in it.

Yep I do live here and I do know what goes on day to day that's how I was able to make that comment. Many many ppl on this site say if you don't like it go home you can't change the island. I feel bad for people who come here and get treated like this. The customer service surely doesn't help tourism Here and it's a real shame. Regardless of what was going on with the boat this family felt it ruined a well planned day of their vacation.

I agree with the OP, and I'm glad she posted her experience with this captain.

I'm looking at the "On the Edge" magazine, and I see that Bluefin II out of American Yacht Harbor in Red Hook, has a 44' custom. They're the only ones that mention that in their ad. Their website is http://www.bluefin2.com. Just an FYI.

Just wondering if pky5996 and family had an overall great vacation (with the exception of the missed fishing trip)?
Did they enjoy the any of the other excursions they did go on, was they place they stayed, wonderful, did they have great dinners, meet nice people, enjoy our lovely beaches/views and have an overall wonderful experience aside from the one aforementioned disappointment?

Is there any particular place, person or event she would like to recommend and praise?

Yes Alana33, everything thing else was spectacular. We enjoyed Magens Bay (our favorite), Trunk Bay (watch for seagulls who steal your lunch) and snorkeling at Sapphire. We visited Mountain Top twice for the wonderful view and bushwackers. Incidentally, this was our third time on the island the second time at Frenchman's Reef . The people of St. Thomas were always genuine and welcoming so the charter fiasco was an isolated incident. There will be those type of stories anywhere you visit but I want to say I would absolutely recommend St. Thomas for a relaxing stay.

So glad for that! I hope you will continue to come back and enjoy our lovely islands and wonderful people!