Tortola video
Remember what the territory looked like about 50 years ago? For a refresher, check out a YouTube video titled “Mid 60s Boat Ride from Puerto Rico to Tortola.” The six minute, 14 second video, which was brought to the Beacon’s attention by a reader, includes fascinating footage of Tortola from the water and from land. At one point, women are shown selling food and other items in Road Town. To watch, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfJCr1x1Q1w.
Lips-stick
A Beaconite was fortunate enough to receive a guided tour of a cruise ship recently and was amused by some of the customs that crewmembers shared with him. For instance, three cloves of garlic were positioned above a panel in the ship’s control room where engineers monitor computers that control automated systems. The chief engineer, a Greece national who didn’t speak English fluently, smiled when the Beaconite asked about the garlic. “It’s for luck. Good luck,” he said. An hour earlier, while touring the bridge, the Beaconite was surprised by the presence of a tiny joystick on a panel on the right side of the ship. The joystick, which its manufacturer Wartsila Control Systems calls the “lips-stick,” is used to dock the 77,700-tonne vessel. The captain said docking the ship is the hardest part of being a captain. The Beaconite was reminded of the conversation when he heard that Italian cruise ship Costa Concordia ran aground Friday, killing at least 11 people.
VI reality?
A Beaconite is often asked what preconceptions he had about the Virgin Islands before coming to work as a reporter here. He’s usually not sure how to answer that question, but one thing is clear: He didn’t expect to hear about so many proposals to film reality television shows in the territory. Last year, the Beaconite wrote an article about “Caribbean Mutiny,” a sailing-themed show proposed by two Americans who have frequently visited the territory. The would-be producers are still trying to pitch the idea to major television networks.
And now Devon Osborne has reality television show dreams of his own. The radio host and former physical education teacher announced at a BVI Tourist Board stakeholders’ meeting last Thursday that he has “a major project involving culture and tourism” to propose to the board. The project is “basically a reality show to be hosted here by the British Virgin Islands by all the Latin countries, where I would invite two ladies to compete and show me a wonderful time in their country through their culture and heritage and tourism,” Mr. Osborne said. The ladies would then “compete doing the things that we do in our culture and heritage and tourism, and the winner will take home $100,000,” he added.
Mr. Osborne said he’s taken the idea to a “shareholder of a major television network” but is still looking for potential investors. He said he hopes the show will be a vehicle to promote his music. Mr. Osborne’s music promotion ideas haven’t always gone over well in the past. His contract to act as former Premier Ralph O’Neal’s press secretary was not renewed shortly after he released a CD titled “Breaking News.” The CD’s cover features a photo of Mr. Osborne standing in front of a VI flag illustration, and it contains the words “Press Secretary” and “PARENTAL ADVISORY: EXPLICIT LYRICS.” The Beaconite wishes Mr. Osborne better luck with his new venture.
Police boat
Last week, a Beaconite got the opportunity to ride on one of the new police boats. The reporter, along with the police information officer, was a passenger on St. Ursula, while police officers demonstrated a search operation aboard Swift Justice. As the boat raced from Prospect Reef to Wickhams Cay and back, the Beaconite enjoyed taking photos. She was also glad to better understand the serious responsibilities and hard work of marine police officers.
We, the people
A Beaconite attending a lecture on the history of the Virgin Islands Constitution this week heard a suggestion she agrees with: A high priority should be placed on VI students learning civics. The reporter was reminded of her civic education in the United States, which involved learning the preamble to her own country’s Constitution (which she memorised, thanks to a catchy tune), the bill of rights, and the names of all the presidents. Back then, the Beaconite was pretty sure the memorisation exercises were pointless, but as an adult she feels she owes her commitment to the concept of a free people and democratic society at least in part to those early lessons.