The charter company will give you a bareboat charter cards, instructions on what to see, and information on where you should stay while you are running. But really, why will they worry about where you are?
Answer: because there are some surprises if you go beyond the prescribed waters of the British Virgin Islands. Storms, pirates and reefs are all a danger that can do more than destroy your vacation.
Perhaps the most common danger is re-evaluating your own skills in boating. Even if you have a license for a boat, adopted by a charter company, do you really know what you are doing? Can you handle the sails with the crew that you have, or do they need more seasoning? If there is any doubt in your mind, a day or two with a captain without a crew to train everyone, it may be a wise decision.
Storms are something you can worry about, especially during the hurricane season. For the most part, the British Virgin Islands are free from sudden squalls, although you can expect daytime showers to spread in the summer. If you rent your boat in advance during hurricane season, make sure you also purchase vacation insurance. It is rare that a hurricane falls into this area without warning, but it happens sometimes. If you are worried about the sky or the wind, start a radio or go ashore. A charter company should be available to tell you what to do. Never try to drive away; while it is true that boats near the coast can be broken by a wave action, ideally you should not be in a boat at all during a hurricane. If you are, stay in constant contact with the charter company so that they can send you assistance.
Reefs are another danger, but if you stay within the boundaries of your charter company, you should not find them a problem. If you find yourself at sea during a storm, they can be a problem, and you will want to direct them to a clear and leeward direction. Otherwise, just follow your cards.
Pirates are part of the history of the British Virgin Islands, and pirates still exist all over the world today. After all, they are just boat thieves. If you are in a boat yourself at sea, you are in a completely vulnerable position. The good news is that the British Virgin Islands are well controlled by the US Coast Guard and the British Virgin Islands Coast Guard, and pirates rarely visit areas that travel so much. As long as you are in the zone prescribed by your company charter, you should be safe. Go outside and you may find some unpleasant surprises.
Most of the piracy around the Caribbean takes place near the main shores: Venezuela, Guatemala, Colombia, Brazil (where at least one wealthy yacht owner has been killed), and other disaster prone areas are likely to have pirates operating at sea. On the islands you are most likely to find them near Trinidad. However, a bad idea is to first pick up strangers without a radio shore. Pirates are sometimes disguised as recluses or migrant workers. In addition, collecting a stranger can cause you problems with the British Virgin Islands, as they have a problem with illegal immigration and therefore have very strict laws. To protect yourself, always check first before gathering strangers, and pull only at the docks that your charter company recommends.
Avoid trouble in general. You're on vacation; don't let it fail.
