Yacht Vacations & Charters Magazine's editor-at-large writes: On Sunday night, based on the two-day delayed opening of the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the International Superyacht Society (ISS) announced its revised schedule with regard to its host of activities held annually during the event.

On Monday noon, it was apparent that two main hotels of the Ft Lauderdale International Boat Show, Sheraton Yankee Clipper and Radisson Bahia Mar Hotel suffered worse damage than aniticipated, some windows blown away, and no power in the area.

"If they can't get the power back on and repair the damage by Wednesday morning, I can't see how they will continue with the show this year," said Billy Smith of Trinity Yachts. Smith was in the West Palm Beach area as the hurricane hit Monday morning. Trinity Yachts, the largest American superyacht builder, has a number of superyachts in the region to participate at this year's show and they have always presented one of the largest superyacht exhibits at the Ft Lauderdale International Boat Show.

Photo: Billy Smith and John Dane of Trinity Yachts during last year's Ft Lauderdale International Boat Show with the YV&C team

Before the hurricane Wilma hit Florida earlier this morning, the last known schedule change for the world's largest boat show was that it was pushed back for two days.

Late Monday morning it became apparent that the Broward County, where Ft Lauderdale is located, received worse than anticipated damage from the hurricane. It was unknown if there would be additional changes to the boat show schedule or it will be pushed back to next Spring.

The extend of the damage on the boats and vendor exhibits which were already in Ft Lauderdale was also unknown Monday morning. At the time of this report, the boat show Website was down (www.showmanagement.com), most likely due to the wide spread power outgaes in the region. YV&C news desk was unable to reach the Show Management to find out more information this morning. Power outages were reported on the East Coast of Florida, between Miami through West Palm Beach.

YV&C's 2004 Ft Lauderdale International Boat Show Highlights and Photo Album

Specific information regarding these events was as follows on Sunday night, before the storm hit. On Monday noon time, it's unknown if the show will take place even during its postponed date schedule or it will be rescheduled for the next Spring. The following schedule may also be posponed to a later date together.

Change: Board of Directors Meeting
New: Thursday, October 27, 10:00 a.m.
Former: Tuesday, October 25, 2005 • 3:00 p.m.
New Location: American Yacht Institute, 1003 Southeast 17th Street, Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Change: Membership Meeting & Breakfast
Proposed: Friday, October 28, 2005, 8:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Former: Wednesday, October 26, 2005 • 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Same: Radisson Bahia Mar Hotel – Harbour Lights

No Change: International Superyacht Society Awards for Design and Leadership
Annual International Superyacht Society Awards Gala
October 27, 2005 • 8:00 p.m.
Grand Ballroom, Marriott Harbor Beach Resort, Fort Lauderdale, USA

Change: Distinguished Crew Awards
New: DCA to be given during Awards Gala, October 27, 2005 • 8:00 p.m.
Former: Friday, October 28, 2005 • Noon – 1:00 p.m.

Cancelled: Crew Training Seminars and Luncheon
Friday, October 28, 2005 • 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Radisson Bahia Mar Hotel – Ballroom