
Captain Chris Simpson – BVI Skipper
Hi, I am Chris, a Skipper and Instructor for Horizon. I am more than excited and feel very privileged to be going back to my roots and my #1 vocational passion that I left in my late 20’s, to pursue other avenues in the marine industry, as Operation’s Manager for a 50-boat charter company here in the BVI and, then later, as co-owner and Senior Yacht Broker for BVI Yacht Sales.
I first arrived in the BVI in 1985, as an instructor for Steve Colgate’s Offshore Sailing School, fell in love with the territory and was lucky enough to be able to come back here again in 1990, where I have happily lived and worked for the last 28 years with my American wife.
My passion for sailing and, then much later, teaching sailing, started when my sailing crazy parents put me in a dinghy at the age of one! Long family summer sailing trips then became the norm, by my late teens I had logged thousands of offshore sailing miles. Circumstances then conspired to have me training for my RYA Yachtmaster certificate (USCG 100 Ton equivalent) and, a year later, becoming a Yachtmaster Instructor. My teacher was exceptional and infinitely inspiring, she not only instructed me to the highest standards but also noticed by aptitude for instructing my classmates. She encouraged me to get into sailing instruction which I then happily pursued for the next 8 years of my life, 4 of those as the Principal and Chief Instructor of my own sailing school.
To now have the opportunity to go back to my true vocational passion of sailing instruction is tremendous, it’s what I thrive on and so I really look forward to sailing with you. I also love to windsurf, stand-up paddle and snorkel, so I look forward to sharing my knowledge of those pastimes should you have interest, as well as showing you the many special places that I have discovered over the majority of my lifetime spent in the waters of the beautiful BVI.
This is what one of our clients had to say recently: “First time charting a boat and Horizon Yacht Charters delivered. From initial reservation to check out was thoroughly explained and easy to deal with. Everyone we met was helpful and friendly. The boat we chartered was clean and trouble free for the entire week we used it. My wife and I also completed our ASA 103 and 104 with an instructor provided by HYC. Our skipper was Chris Simpson and the knowledge and confidence he possesses made the difference.
Chris’ training will focus on safety, doing things the right way and thorough understanding of the water. While I am still a novice skipper I feel as if I know more than a lot of the skippers that I watched during the week. If you follow his instruction you too will be a better skipper. No shortcuts and you will ensure a safe happy trip for you and your family.
If you want an instructor or just a skipper ask for Chris. You will not be disappointed.
We will be back and I will recommend this charter company to my friends and family”. Patrick Anglim – January 13th 2020.