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Supporting Caribbean Communities with YachtAid Global

Operation C-Phoenix

This winter season, Y.CO is proud to continue its collaboration with YachtAid Global, supporting schools and communities across the region, from St. Martin to Antigua.

29 Jul 2026

ABOUT OPERATION C-PHOENIX

Small Acts. Lasting Impact.

Antigua's schools, Search and Rescue services and families are in immense need of support to ensure that they are equipped with the facilities and materials required for their daily operations. Operation C-Phoenix offers a meaningful opportunity to support communities associated with the yachting industry. Whether through donations, financial contributions or volunteering, yacht crew, owners and guests can make a direct and lasting impact.

This year, Y.CO and YachtAid Global are supporting ABSAR’s emergency response efforts and first-aid training across local communities and schools. With your help, ABSAR can better assist visiting yachts, crews, and locals.

Contributions can be tailored to suit your itinerary, schedule and onboard resources. Y.CO and YachtAid Global will help coordinate your participation every step of the way.

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Three Ways to Participate

Whether your yacht is visiting for a few days or spending the season in the Caribbean, there are many ways to get involved.

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1

Donate Supplies

From educational materials to household essentials and medical equipment, donated supplies provide vital support to local schools, families and emergency response organisations across the Caribbean.

2

Volunteer Your Time

Crew can share their skills through school projects, student engagement programmes and search and rescue volunteering, creating valuable experiences both ashore and on board.

3

Make a Financial Contribution

Financial donations support initiatives including school meal programmes, educational projects and life-saving search and rescue operations, ensuring resources reach the communities that need them most.

Give Back This Caribbean Season

Three young girls in school uniforms stand behind a yellow banner with "Y.CO" printed on it, with large yachts docked in the background.
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Donations

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Supporting Local Schools in Antigua

Our partners in Antigua continue to report a strong and ongoing need for educational supplies, particularly for secondary school students.

Items currently needed include:

  • School backpacks (20–30L preferred)
  • Workbooks and notebooks
  • Scientific calculators
  • Geometry sets
  • Pencil cases
  • Pens and pencils
  • Erasers and sharpeners
  • 12-inch rulers
  • Coloured pencils and crayons
  • Smart boards (specific request from Pares Secondary School)
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Supporting Families and Communities

There is also an ongoing need for everyday household items across local communities, including:

  • Shoes (all sizes)
  • Towels
  • Linens and bedding
  • Kitchenware and household essentials
  • Fans
  • Small refrigerators
  • Computers and electronics
Four people stand in front of an ABSAR RESCUE vehicle with lush green foliage in the background.

Supporting ABSAR

The Antigua and Barbuda Search and Rescue Organisation (ABSAR) is a volunteer-led emergency response service operating across Falmouth Harbour and Jolly Harbour. Reachable on VHF-16, the organisation relies entirely on donations to provide critical support throughout the year.

Since 1997, ABSAR has been saving lives on land and at sea. As a volunteer-run organization, they need vital equipment.

Current equipment requirements include:

  • AED / Portable Defibrillator — $11,124
  • Patient Monitor — $9,069
  • Pulse Oximeter — $3,000 per unit
  • Shredder Fins — $712
View the full ABSAR supplies list to learn more

Volunteer Opportunities

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Support Local Schools

Crew skillsets can make a meaningful difference to local schools requiring urgent repairs, maintenance and development projects. Opportunities include:

  • Building additional classrooms
  • Repairing air conditioning units
  • Improving cafeterias and kitchens
  • Creating shaded playground areas
  • Installing plumbing and other essential infrastructure
  • Teaching practical skills to students
  • Volunteering time through educational programmes
A man in a white shirt and cap addresses a group of students in purple and white uniforms on a boat deck, with a large white yacht in the background.

Student Yacht Visits

Hosting students on board offers a unique opportunity to introduce young people to the world of yachting and inspire future careers within the industry.

Student yacht visits are welcomed throughout the year, with dedicated programmes also taking place during the Antigua Charter Yacht Show. Last season's visits proved hugely successful, creating meaningful moments of inspiration, learning and cultural exchange for both students and crew alike.

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Support ABSAR

Crew members with STCW and First Aid training possess valuable skills that can provide much-needed support during search and rescue missions.

Volunteering with ABSAR also offers opportunities to refresh certifications in:

  • First Aid
  • CPR
  • Basic Life Support (BLS)
  • Safety training
  • Medical coverage training

Training fees apply and directly support ABSAR's operations.

A large group of people in casual and uniform attire pose with raised hands on a wooden dock in front of a large white yacht, with a lush green island and blue sky in the background.
A group of volunteers stands behind stacks of donated food items in front of a colorful mural and palm trees.

Financial Contributions

Many local schools continue to provide free meal programmes for students, relying heavily on charitable donations. Financial contributions help ensure children in need receive two meals each day, with YachtAid Global coordinating the allocation of donated funds.

ABSAR also seeks financial support to purchase specialist equipment vital in life-saving situations. Contributions directly support the organisation's ability to respond rapidly and effectively when emergencies arise.

Real Impact, Made Simple

Last season demonstrated how powerful even the smallest contributions can be, with donated supplies reaching multiple schools across the Caribbean and delivering direct benefits to local communities.

Every yacht operates differently, which is why contributions can be tailored to suit your vessel, itinerary and crew availability. Whether through donating supplies, making a financial contribution, volunteering with ABSAR or hosting a student visit, every act of support makes a meaningful difference.

Read about 2025 Operation C-Phoenix
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JOIN US

This Caribbean season, join us in giving back to the communities that play such an important role in the superyacht industry. To participate, or find out more, please contact your Y.CO Client Manager, our Sustainability team or YachtAid Global.

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