A native of Dublin, Ireland, Barrett's venture into the yachting industry started when he vacationed many years ago in Skerries, an east coast resort about 20 miles north of Dublin. "A school friend had a yacht there," he explains. "Since the harbor was tidal, yachting was not a daily occupation."

Following this, while living in Tipperary, which is located on the river Shannon, Barrett would enjoy weekending or weeklong vacations on his 30-foot motor cruiser or sailing an 18-foot Shannon One Design or SOD.

His introduction to the tropics occurred in the 1970s. "I visited Bermuda on a rugby tour with my club, Terenure College RFC, in 1975," he says. "Then, I vacationed in Barbados in 1979 and enjoyed it very much. So, I decided to try the real Caribbean life and came out here for good in 1981."

Most recently, Barrett served as financial controller for three marinas, including YCPDP. In his new position, he'll be overseeing YCPDP's restoration and revitalization project under control of Rueben Hoppenstein and his son, Charles.

For yacht crews considering where to winter, Barrett enumerates St. Maarten-St. Martin's many benefits. "The weather is always good. Working on deck is very relaxing with the trade winds always blowing, particularly in the Simpson Bay Lagoon. For repairs to yachts, we have a large number of professional companies available for even the most intricate repairs. Ask your marina reservations office to recommend vendors and service providers. Their advice can save both time and maybe tears. We normally supply all yachts with the St. Maarten Marine Trades Directory, which lists all types of vendors, suppliers and maintenance companies who are member of the association. The development of two big shipyards within the next year means a complete vessel overhaul will be possible."

He continues, "For relaxation, the number of restaurants, bars and clubs is really fantastic. The island is only 37-square miles in size so nothing is too far away."

As in life on any island, there can be challenges.

Barrett says, "Remember, St. Maarten is not the U.S. or Europe. It is a Caribbean island with its own culture and mores. Just as there are areas in your hometown that are better to stay out of at night, St. Maarten is no different. Also, there are two different nationalities co-existing here, each with different laws and applications of those laws. For example, there may be no physical border, but French St. Martin boasts nude beaches but no casinos. On the other hand, the Netherlands Antilles or Dutch St. Maarten side has lots of casinos, but completely nude bathing is not as acceptable as on the French side."

In other words, he continues, "The things you can do at home may not always be acceptable on one side of the island or the other. If in doubt, ask the marina staff. Let them be your guide. In any event, it's a fun place for young people with a couple of great clubs for late night partying. Of course, it's a duty free island, too. Liquor and cigarettes are ridiculously cheap, not to mention jewelry and many other items."

Airlift to and from St. Maarten are excellent too.

Barrett says, "You can charter from St. Maarten as we have direct links to the U.S. and Europe through the Princess Juliana International Airport via Air France, KLM and Corsair direct as well as American Airlines, United, Continental and US Air as well as American Eagle's link to Puerto Rico."

This month, he adds, "We'll be hosting the MYBA St. Maarten Charter Show. Then, there will be the usual Christmas and New Year's celebrations over in St. Bart's. In March we have the Heineken Regatta and in April there's Carnival."

In his new position, it will be Barrett's talent for ‘bringing a bit of the Blarney' to his work that crews will find refreshingly fun whether puzzling out repair tasks or preparing for a short respite."