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This article was written by Bill Springer, journalist for Forbes and life long superyacht enthusiast. In his own words, "When I’m not running, riding, rowing or sailing long distances, I write about superyachts and luxury travel."When it comes to making a positive impact, few have worked harder, overcome more, provided more hurricane relief money, materials, and manpower, or frankly, cared more deeply for the islands and the people of the Bahamas than Carl and Gigi Allen. But their commitment to making a positive impact for the people of the Bahamas is not usually the first thing that comes to mind. This is simply because their large fleet of yachts including: a 164-foot-long <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/217" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Westport Yachts (Company)">Westport</a>, and a 180-foot-long <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/1821" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Damen Yachting (Company)">Damen</a> Support Vessel that carries his <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/4195" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Triton (Company)">Triton</a> submarine, Icon seaplane, and several flats fishing boats is pretty distracting. The Allen fleet also includes a 68-foot-long Viking sportfishing boat and a well-used 39-foot-long SeaVee center console as well.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/197946/image/large-8466918a84b90254eb6a4130a00ffddf.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/197946">And, oh yeah, they also own a small island in the Bahamas—<a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6368" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Walker's Cay (Company)">Walker’s Cay</a> in the Northern Abacos about 90 miles east of Stewart, Florida—that has a legendary reputation for world-class fishing but was destroyed by a hurricane and has been abandoned since 2004.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/197940/image/large-8d775fa91d4dfab480fc38c402df4c20.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/197940">“I’ve been going to <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6368" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Walker's Cay (Company)">Walker’s</a> since I was a kid. And I’m still amazed that I ended up being the guy that’s bringing it back to life,” he says with a wonderfully mischievous and understated smile. “I knew bringing <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6368" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Walker's Cay (Company)">Walker’s</a> back was going to be great for fishing. The photo that hung over my desk that showed the channel filled with boats coming back into the marina after a fishing tournament in the 1990’s always inspired me to buy the island if I ever could. But after the devastation of Hurricane Dorian and then Covid19, our commitment to rebuild—and help the locals by using 100% local labor—became even more important.”<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/197936/image/large-28570b79bc7f45ffd0f26ca223a5624e.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/197936">The good news is that the determination and hard work of the Allens and their team is paying off. Rebuilding <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6368" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Walker's Cay (Company)">Walker’s</a> has already created hundreds of new jobs for the locals that need them the most. Now the new state-of-the-art marina was just completed by Bahamas-based marine construction company EMM. Big yachts, and big names celebrated the first phase of the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6368" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Walker's Cay (Company)">Walker’s</a> Cay rebirth this weekend, by competing in The <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6368" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Walker's Cay (Company)">Walker’s Cay</a> Blue Marlin Invitational Fishing Tournament. It was the first fishing tournament held there in over 15 years.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/197943/image/large-70816309b8f05e8c1e8a237f1c7ff119.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/197943">“I’m so proud of our team who worked so hard to get the marina ready for this tournament,” Allen said at the captain’s dinner held the night before the tournament began. “And honestly, we weren’t sure we were going to make it in time. But, seeing the marina full of boats like it used to be, and seeing the smiles on the faces of people who love <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6368" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Walker's Cay (Company)">Walker’s</a> as much as I do is incredibly special. I feel like the luckiest guy in the world.”<img src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/197935/image/large-30d12d69d4397cd8c6395598667a9a07.jpg?X-Amz-Algorithm=AWS4-HMAC-SHA256&amp;X-Amz-Credential=AKIA52TLVJASOPFTPHWY%2F20210609%2Feu-west-1%2Fs3%2Faws4_request&amp;X-Amz-Date=20210609T121024Z&amp;X-Amz-Expires=900&amp;X-Amz-SignedHeaders=host&amp;X-Amz-Signature=510b4cdbf315452892b313abb18b64137a0fe72ab369fb82a308a97fde731199" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/197935">Allen wasn’t the only one who got a bit emotional. Legendary <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6368" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Walker's Cay (Company)">Walker’s Cay</a> fishing captain Billy Black and his soon-to-be-wife Karen were overjoyed to be back. So were all the other captains and crews that were able to score a coveted invitation to what was one of the most exclusive fishing tournaments of the year. <img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/197945/image/large-f2e07074099d0f138362189a8a5e4e1e.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/197945">The <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6368" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Walker's Cay (Company)">Walker’s Cay</a> Blue Marlin Invitational also attracted big names like #1 ranked golfer in the world Dustin Johnson, who not only competed aboard his custom-built Just Chillin. He and his team ended up on the podium after three action-packed days where 26 Blue Marlin were caught and nearly all were released.But no team had a better tournament than Captain Russell Sinclair’s Bayliss 77 Wave Paver. They won Top Overall Team and Top Captain and Crew honours. Best of all, boat owner JR Davis not only claimed Best Angler honours, he also brought in the biggest fish of the tournament—a 508-pound Blue Marlin—that was caught on the first day and christened the new and improved <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6368" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Walker's Cay (Company)">Walker’s Cay</a> gantry in style.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/197944/image/large-864d5cc6071261d49a9f3ff0e3b6a0de.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/197944">And now that the new marina has been enlarged and strengthened to accommodate &nbsp;superyachts, Johnson, Allen, and others competed on their fishing boats during the day, then retired to comfort and service of their much larger yachts in the marina at night. Allen’s Westport 164 <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1731" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Gigi49.71m (163'1&quot;)Westport Yachts2010">Gigi</a> was his home base as it has been since he and his wife — Gigi — have been rebuilding the island, and the 150-foot-long <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/106" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Trinity Yachts, LLC (Company)">Trinity</a> <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/2234" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Bouchon45.72m (150'0&quot;)Trinity Yachts, LLC2002">Bouchon</a> was tied up right alongside <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1731" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Gigi49.71m (163'1&quot;)Westport Yachts2010">Gigi</a> in the marina.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/71504/image/large-b465f79de9917dc66e1587db42374b39.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/71504">Coincidentally, <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6368" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Walker's Cay (Company)">Walker’s</a> attracted several other Westport’s including the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/217" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Westport Yachts (Company)">Westport</a> 164 <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4635" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Honey49.71m (163'1&quot;)Westport Yachts2007">Honey</a> and the <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/217" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Westport Yachts (Company)">Westport</a> 130 <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5693" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Top Dog39.62m (129'12&quot;)Westport Yachts2015">Top Dog</a> as well as <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/217" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Westport Yachts (Company)">Westport</a> 164 <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4832" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="My Girl49.71m (163'1&quot;)Westport Yachts2016">My Girl</a> owned by the Chouest family. But I’m not surprised to see so many <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/217" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Westport Yachts (Company)">Westports</a> in one place. Dino Chouest is an avid fisherman whose family also owns <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/5693" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Top Dog39.62m (129'12&quot;)Westport Yachts2015">Westport Yachts</a>.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/197941/image/large-3849e0c74ce74812e19a24b9b0870eb1.jpeg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/197941">Then, after three days of great fishing, amazing parties, old friends sharing stories and faded photographs of growing up on <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6368" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Walker's Cay (Company)">Walker’s</a>, and a whole new generation getting to experience the special magic of the Bahamas on the new and improved <a data-gid="gid://syiq/Company/6368" href="#managed-by-system" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank" title="Walker's Cay (Company)">Walker’s Cay</a>, it was over.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/197937/image/large-0b72aa62786468a78f10d33e39fb2bf9.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/197937">But as each boat slowly motored out of the Marina, the highly energetic Allen was there to wish everyone a safe journey back home, and to invite everyone back to Walker’s again soon. Because opening the marina is only the beginning. Allen and his team have big plans to make the marina better than ever. And they’re working to add state-of-the-art accommodations including a pool and spa and even some bungalows at the opposite end of the island that will not only attract fishermen, but anyone who wants to escape to the special beauty of this special place.<img src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/197938/image/large-4a24787ecff3f515cddce0b74ce8cc0c.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/197938">Watch this space.

Carl Allen and the rescue of Walker's Cay

Big Names, Big Yachts, And Big Fish Gather In The Bahamas For The Walker’s Cay Blue Marlin Invitational Fishing Tournament

The resurrection of Walker's Cay

A new marine tourism bill recently came into effect in the state of Washington, USA whereby taxes for non-resident vessels visiting the area have been reduced. The new law allows non-resident entity-owned yachts to stay in the Washington state for up to 180 days in any 365-day period without being required to pay annual registration fees or once-off taxes as charged before.<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/156947/image/large-e17c972a7f6a0e31c370983cde2108d8.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/156947">The Westport 164 Evviva (now Honey) in Port Townsend, WashingtonAccording to YachtLaw.com these charges on occasion amounted up to 10 percent of the vessel’s value. Now, yachts ranging between 30 and 164 feet will be exempt from such duties. Local enterprises and politicians have welcomed these new terms in the hope that it would encourage more yachts to visit the picturesque cruising grounds that the area has to offer.By Charl van Rooy, photo by Barry Goffe

Tax-changes for yachts visiting Washington state

<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/147155/image/large-25d7d21af35adf2595fa80f021af751c.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/147155">Superyacht Evviva in Port AngelesThe 50 metre <a href="#managed-by-application" data-legacy="true" data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4635">Evviva</a>, which stands for 'something beautiful' in Italian, was built by Westport Yachts in the USA. <a href="#managed-by-application" data-legacy="true" data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4635">Evviva</a> is the second yacht in Westport Shipyard's 164-foot tri-deck series, and was delivered in 2007. The owner of the yacht also owns Westport Shipyard. This photo was taken in October in Port Angeles, Washington, USA.By Maarten Janssen, photo by Merijn de Waard

Superyacht Evviva in the mist in Port Angeles, Washington

<img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/145661/image/large-1a6017c8bbe6f2cdb023c67dac7e42fb.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/145661">Superyacht EvvivaThe 50 metre <a href="#managed-by-application" data-legacy="true" data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4635">Evviva</a>, which stands for 'something beautiful' in Italian, was built by Westport Yachts in the USA. <a href="#managed-by-application" data-legacy="true" data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/4635">Evviva</a> is the second yacht in Westport Shipyard's 164-foot tri-deck series, and was delivered in 2007. The owner of the yacht, is no stranger to the yachting world, he in fact owns Westport Shipyard. This photo was taken in Pt. Townsend, Washington, USA - right at the entrance to Puget Sound.By Maarten Janssen, photo by Barry Goffe

The 50 metre Evviva in Pt. Townsend, Washington

Westport today announced the official launch of its new flagship, the Westport 50m. The 50m (164-foot) tri-deck composite yacht is the largest yacht produced by the Washington-based builder.Westport’s design team, headed by naval architect Taylor Olson, collaborated with world-renowned designer Donald Starkey and prominent naval architect William Garden to develop the 50 Meter. <img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/121769/image/large-f9777ca32d0a0846654e8e15bd41aa25.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/121769">“The Westport 50 Meter is a first-class product that matches anything built elsewhere and that will come to be recognized as a significant step in American yacht building,” says Starkey, founder of Donald Starkey Designs and perhaps the best-known European designer of yachts.The new Westport 50 Meter is both American Bureau of Shipping (ABS)-certified and U.K. Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA)-compliant.Advanced materials and lamination processes give composites used in construction of the Westport 50 Meter high strength, reduced weight and superior impact resistance for excellent structural integrity. Thanks to their lighter weight, Westport yachts are faster and more fuel-efficient. In addition, composite materials aren’t susceptible to rust or galvanic corrosion, which means they require less downtime.The Westport 50 Meter includes a full-beam master suite with separate office on the main deck, a bridge deck VIP suite with a private terrace and four luxurious state rooms, all complemented by a Donald Starkey–designed interior and decor.All Westport yachts, including 5001, the first Westport 50 Meter, have been designed for production. “The Westport production process provides predictability,” says Phil Purcell, Westport’s vice president of sales. “Westport is a benchmark brand because of our ability to consistently tailor production boats to client specifications, on time and on budget.” A Westport 50 Meter takes under two years to produce.In the same way that high-performance business jets epitomize state-of-the-art private air travel, the Westport 50 Meter embodies advanced structural concepts for sea travel, as well as systems designed for maximum service reliability, operational conveniences and passenger comfort.At 164 feet long and nearly 31 feet wide, the new Westport 50 Meter was moved from Westport’s 120,000-square-foot boat-building facility at Port Angeles to the waterfront on Feb. 6.Within hours of being lowered into the water in Port Angeles, the 50 Meter was taking her first sea trial into the Straits of Juan de Fuca. After sea trials, the 50 Meter has met all expectations and is performing as designed.Two Westport 50 Meters will be delivered in 2006. The next 50 Meter, hull No. 2, is scheduled for delivery late this year.The Westport 50 Meter joins the shipyard’s two other series-built yacht lines, the Westport 112 and Westport 130. The Westport 130-foot tri-deck motoryacht accommodates up to 10 guests and features an on-deck master suite and luxurious skylounge. The Westport 112 raised pilothouse motoryacht accommodates up to eight guests and features a salon layout with a spacious entertainment deck. Westport recently launched the fifteenth Westport 130 and the twenty-third Westport 112 of the series.The Westport 112s and 130s are built in Hoquiam and Westport, Wash., and the new Westport 50 Meter is built in Port Angeles, Wash.