Windjammer Cruises | Schooner Liberty Star
Set sail for a windjammer cruise aboard the tall ship LIBERTY STAR. The Windjammer Liberty Star is a 67-foot wooden schooner that features three comfortable cabins. She offers Virgin Islands Sailing Vacations from November through May each year. On our Virgin Islands Windjammer Cruises make yourself at home on our lovely sailing ship as we explore the US and British Virgin Islands. We'll sail to a new island each day; you may enjoy a nap below decks as the water gently glides along our hull.
Cruising Grounds: The Virgin Islands
The Schooner Liberty Star offers crewed sailing charters in the Virgin Islands from our base at the East End of St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands from Red Hook Harbor. Each day we can sail to a new destination as we explore these enchanting islands from our tall ship.
Virgin Islands Windjammer Cruise Grounds
Your Virgin Islands sail is likely to include visits to the following locations:
- St. Thomas: All of our cruises board and disembark from Red Hook in Vessup Bay on the east end of St. Thomas.
- Charlotte Amalie: A large and protected harbor on St. Thomas.
- Red Hook Bay: All conveniences and grocery shopping, along with many dining options. Ferry service to St. John and the British Virgin Islands is also available from Red Hook. And there are several fun dining spots that are all within walking distance of our dock at American Yacht Harbor if you get into town early!
- St. Johns: St. John is considered the natural gem of the US Virgin Islands and hosts a large national park. On many of our Virgin Islands sailing cruises we will visit St. Johns the first night!
- Cruz Bay: The "big town" of St. Johns has lots of great entertainment options. Step ashore for a cold-one...
- Trunk Bay Beach: Located on the north side of St. John, this beach has been selected as a Top 10 Beach by Conde Nast Traveler Magazine.
- Cinnamon Bay Beach: Located just east of Trunk Bay, this is another beautiful Caribbean beach.
British Virgin Islands Locations:
- Jost van Dyke:
- This island, the westernmost of the British Virgins, is home of White Bay beach, the Soggy Dollar Bar, and Foxy's. Named after a 17th century Dutch pirate, Jost Van Dyke has a sleepy Caribbean air and is less developed than other islands in the British Virgins. It is a favorite of sailors who stop for music, dancing and tropical drinks.
- Bubbly Hole: Get "washed" in this little gem. It's a short hike to get to it and our crew will show you the way.
- Foxy's: No trip to the BVI is complete without a visit to this world famous spot!
- Sandy Cay:
- We may anchor just south of Sandy Cay; it's literally a beach island, we love it and think you will too!
- Tortola:
- Cane Garden Bay: It's not just famous for the song lyrics, it is also home to the Caribbean's oldest continually operated rum distillery. Head ashore and try a sample.
- Soper's Hole: Tortola's West-End is a fantastic anchorage, come "swing on the hook" and find out why.
- Virgin Gorda:
- When you think of Virgin Gorda, you think The Baths - one of the Caribbean's natural wonders, a spectacular formation of gigantic boulders, creating grottoes and caves that you can explore on foot. The island is home for the famous resort of Little Dix Bay, as well as the Bitter End Yacht Club.
- When you think of Virgin Gorda, you think The Baths - one of the Caribbean's natural wonders, a spectacular formation of gigantic boulders, creating grottoes and caves that you can explore on foot. The island is home for the famous resort of Little Dix Bay, as well as the Bitter End Yacht Club.
- Norman Island:
- This island is reputed to have inspired Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island. Legend has it that pirate treasure is buried at a natural formation called the Indians, which are half-submerged rocks forming an underwater labyrinth for divers and snorkelers. The island is deserted but for a few seabirds, several footpaths, and the Pirate's Bight Bar. One trail leads to Spy Glass Hill, a challenging half-hour hike rewarding you with fantastic views. Pirates once used this lookout to spot Spanish Galleons returning home with gold and treasure. And no visit to the Virgin Islands is complete without a visit to Willy T's Floating Boat Bar, if not for the spectacle at least for the rum.
The Liberty Star: Accommodations
Liberty Star is a traditional gaff-rigged, two-masted wooden schooner, built by Maine craftsmen. The Liberty Star was lovingly refit for service in the British Virgin Islands in 2012 and features two upper and lower berth cabins, and a deluxe cabin with a full-sized double bed. All cabins offer opening skylights, and lots of varnished wood detailing. The below deck area is air conditioned.
The Cabins...
The cabins have been panelled in yellow-pine to provide a warm and rich feeling to our schooner. Each bunk is outfitted with comfortable pillows, linens, and blankets. We also provide both bath and beach towels.The cabins have 110-volt outlets to charge your camera and other electrical devices. Each bunk also has a reading light; just imagine reading yourself to sleep, after a wonderful home cooked meal, to the sound of the water lapping gently at the hull... You're sure to feel transported back to simpler days while on your sailing vacation cruise!
Cabins 1 and 2:
- Our forward cabins offer top/bottom bunks with very comfortable beds.
- There is a "butterfly hatch" above each cabin to offer fresh air.
- Each cabin has storage space in the custom-built storage lockers (please pack light, it is a tall ship!).
- Each bunk has its own fan.
Cabin 3:
- Our deluxe cabin offers a full-sized bed.
- This cabin also features an opening skylight for natural light and fresh air.
- There is storage in the large cabin area and under bed storage.
- This cabin features multiple fans.
Facilities...
There is one bathroom with a shower for our guests that is shared and we also have a fresh-water on-deck shower.
The Salon...
There is plenty of room at our table in the Salon or eat on deck under the warm caribbean sun.
Liberty Star On Deck
The Tall Ship Liberty Star features a spacious open deck with lots of room to relax! At 67-feet long, 76-feet tall and with a total beam (width) of 17-feet she's sized just right! With just 6 guests and three crew aboard, you can always find a quiet place to yourself; even if that's out on the bowsprit...
Come discover the windjammer Liberty Star!
The Liberty Star: Specifications
Liberty Star was launched in 1982 by master shipbuilder George Emery after a ten-year construction period. She was designed as a Gaff Topsail Schooner and can be fitted with a yardarm on her forward mast. The Liberty Star is a deep-water sailer that has completed a three-year circumnavigation.
|
Ship Registry |
United States of America |
|
Vessel Rig |
Gaff Rigger Topsail Schooner |
|
Homeport |
Boston, MA (Summer); Virgin Islands (Winter) |
|
Length Overall |
67-feet |
|
Length of Deck |
52-feet |
|
Waterline Length |
42-feet |
|
Draft |
8-feet |
|
Beam |
17-feet |
|
Mast Height |
76-feet |
|
Freeboard |
5-feet |
|
Sail Area |
2,500 square feet |
|
Gross Registered Tonnage |
52-tons |
|
Vessel Displacement |
46-tons |
|
Auxiliary Power |
Cummins TurboDiesel 5.9L 210 H.P. |
|
Hull |
Oak and Mahogany |
|
Deck |
Douglass Fir and White Pine |
|
Masts |
Douglass Fir |
|
Spars |
Douglass Fir |
|
Crew Compliment |
3 Near-Coastal / 7 Offshore |
|
Designer |
George Emery |
|
Year Built |
1982 |
|
Certification |
United States Coast Guard Passenger Vessel |
The Liberty Star: Safety
Virgin Islands Sailing offers the only US-Flag and US-Crewed tall ship offering crewed sailing vacations in the Virgin Islands. Your safety is always our number one priority, so rest assured that the Schooner Liberty Star exceeds all required United States Coast Guard Safety and Crew Training Requirements. The Liberty Fleet is a company founded by professional sailors. The Company's owner is himself a graduate of the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, holds an unlimited tonnage US Coast Guard license and understands and respects the unique demands of the sea upon both ships and crew.
Liberty Star Staffing:
A strong crew is always the most important aspect of any vessels safety program. The Liberty Star's professional crew is fully licensed by the United States Coast Guard and led by our captains who are all highly qualified professional mariners with a minimum of 720-days of sea-going experience on similarly sized vessels; this typically reflects 4-5 years of industry experience. Our Mate and Cook are also seasoned professionals that are there to provide for both your safety and comfort.
Safety Equipment:
Liberty Star is equipped with modern emergency communications equipment, emergency medical equipment and American Citizen crew-members who are trained in emergency response techniques. Further, we have USCG inspected TYPE-1 Life Preservers, life-rings, a fully Coast Guard inspected fire-fighting system, and most importantly the training to effectively use this equipment.
What is the US Difference?
While all countries vessel registries have safety and inspection requirements, they are not all created equal. Typically, European nations have a strong maritime tradition and maintain competitive safety standards with the United States. Most non-US flag vessels, however, are registered under a “Flag of Convenience.” Simply stated, this applies to those vessels under Panamanian, Monrovian, and other similar flags. There are many reasons to register a ship under a foreign flag including: avoidance of taxes, avoidance of liability for injury, lower labor costs, and lack of inspection and safety oversight to save money. Most developed nations maintain a watch-list for “flag of convenience vessels” visiting their territorial waters.
Other "yachts" available for charter are typically not inspected vessels and only carry whatever safety equipment their owners deem appropriate. Further, those yachts are not subject to annual testing and inspections by any safety organization. Aboard Liberty Star, you can sleep soundly knowing that the United States Coast Guard has fully inspected all aspects of our vessel.
Below is a list of some basic safety requirements and inspection requirements, see how things compare.
|
Safety Requirement |
United States |
Flag of Convenience Testing |
|
Safety Inspection |
USCG Annually |
Typically “owner performed” |
|
Hull Inspection |
USCG Bi-Annually |
Typically “owner performed” |
|
Rig Inspection |
USCG Bi-Annually |
Never or “owner performed” |
|
Crew Licensing |
Strict: Experience & Testing |
Pay for a License |
|
Training Requirements |
USCG Monthly Training |
Typically “owner performed” |
Liberty Star proudly flies a US Flag at her mast-head. We take great pride in maintaining our ship to the highest safety standards and invite you to come sailing with us.
Our guests are serious about safety, too!
The Liberty Star: Vessel History
