Virgin Islands Professional Charter Association

Name

Virgin Islands Professional Charter Association

Legal name

Virgin Islands Professional Charter Association, Inc.

Website

https://vipca.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Marine Trade Association

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations (8139)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Private Yacht & Luxury Boat Charters (With Crew) (THAJALAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Bareboat Yacht Charters (Self-Skippered) (THAEAEAB)

Keywords

• Marine trade association
• Charter industry advocacy
• Marine industry directory
• Professional membership services
• Marine workforce training

Headquarters

HQ city

Saint Thomas

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: VIPCA generates primary revenue through annual membership dues from five membership classes: Term Charter Vessel ($300-$800/year), Day Charter Vessel ($200-$300/year), Crew Membership ($150/year), Personal/Land-based Membership ($150/year), and Broker/Associate/Vendor Membership ($100-$500/year).
2. Event Revenue: Revenue from hosting the annual USVI Charter Yacht Show and Virgin Islands Boating Expo (VIBE), including exhibitor fees and sponsorships.
3. Fundraising and Gala Events: The Charting the Future Gala generates fundraising revenue for the Marine Rebuild Fund 501(c)(3), with general admission at $75-$100 and VIP tickets at $150-$175.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Virgin Islands Professional Charter Association (VIPCA) is a 501(c)(6) non-profit trade association that unifies, supports and furthers the capabilities of the marine charter industry in the U.S. Virgin Islands. It provides tiered membership programs for charter vessels, crew, brokers, and marine vendors, delivering member benefits such as an online Marine Directory, compliance guidance, group health/yacht/travel insurance, marina discounts, training programs, and regulatory advocacy with USCG, CBP, and territorial governments. The association also produces the annual USVI Charter Yacht Show and Virgin Islands Boating Expo (VIBE) as flagship industry events.

Product overview

VIPCA is a professional membership association for the marine charter industry in the US Virgin Islands, offering tiered membership programs (vessel, crew, broker, and vendor categories) as its core product. The association provides a suite of member services including an online Marine Directory, Charter Boats Directory, and Charter Brokers Directory for industry discovery. VIPCA operates member benefit programs including discounted dockage at major marinas, group insurance programs (health, yacht, and travel insurance through Risk Strategies/Cigna), and moorings management via the LashedUp App. The organization supports industry development through training programs (Marine Apprenticeship for ages 18-29, Junior Sailing for ages 13-17), events (USVI Charter Yacht Show, Virgin Islands Boating Expo), and advocacy including Project Green Flag environmental stewardship. Compliance guidance for chartering regulations in USVI, BVI, and Puerto Rico is provided as a member resource.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• VIPCA Membership Tiered professional membership program for the USVI marine charter industry, with categories for term charter vessels, day charter vessels, crew, personal/land-based affiliates, and brokers/vendors. Members receive access to health insurance, member discounts, training programs, marine directory listings, regulatory advocacy, and industry networking.
• VIPCA Marine Directory Online directory of marine vendors and services for charter industry members, providing searchable listings of marine businesses, chandleries, and service providers in the USVI to match consumers with charter industry professionals.
• Charter Boats Directory Searchable directory of charter vessels available through VIPCA member brokers, allowing users to find and book crewed and bareboat charters in the Virgin Islands.
• Charter Brokers Directory Directory of VIPCA member charter brokers who facilitate booking of luxury charter yachts and match customers with appropriate vessels.
• VIPCA Member Discounts Program Discount program offering reduced rates at marine-related businesses including marinas (Yacht Haven Grande, American Yacht Harbor), restaurants (Java Grande), dive shops (Adventure Scuba), sail makers (Quantum Sails), and various other marine vendors.
• VIPCA Health Insurance Program Comprehensive health insurance program underwritten by Cigna and managed by Risk Strategies, available to crew members and land-based members. Includes worldwide coverage, up to $5,000,000 policy limit, dental add-on option, and free tele-medicine.
• Yacht Insurance Comprehensive marine insurance protection for individuals and businesses through Risk Strategies, covering yacht ownership protection, risk management, and coverage for boat type, electronics, cruising plans, and hurricane zones.
• Travel Insurance Travel medical and trip insurance through Risk Strategies and One80 Travel Protect, offering trip cancellation, emergency medical evacuation, quarantine monitoring, and 24/7 global emergency services.
• USVI Charter Yacht Show Annual yacht show event showcasing charter vessels, providing industry networking, and representing VIPCA members at the premier marine event in the Caribbean.
• Virgin Islands Boating Expo (VIBE) Marine industry expo event promoting the USVI marine and boating industry, offering discounted exhibitor rates for VIPCA members.
• VIPCA Marine Apprenticeship Program Month-long intensive training program (ages 18-29) providing certifications including ASA 101 Basic Keelboat, First Aid/CPR, Boater's Safety, and STCW Basic Training. Includes sail and power-boat operation, navigation, diesel engines, and career mentorship.
• Junior Sailing Summer Program Youth sailing program for ages 13-17 providing introductory sailing instruction and marine education during summer months.
• VIPCA Moorings Overnight and day-use moorings in St. Thomas available for VIPCA members. Overnight moorings ($40/night) accessible via LashedUp App for vessels up to 60ft. Day-use/dive moorings available for $10 donation.
• Chartering Compliance Guidance Regulatory guidance and compliance information for chartering in USVI, including USCG requirements, immigration/visa information, CBP clearance procedures, Jones Act considerations, and documentation requirements for 6-pack and 12-pack vessels.
• Project Green Flag Marine stewardship initiative promoting environmentally responsible boating practices, reef protection, and sustainable fishing. Includes the Green Flag Pledge program, Eyes on the Reef monitoring, and lionfish/SCTLD tracking.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 600 members benefitting from VIPCA services including health insurance, insurance programs, and member discounts
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands (CFVI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCFVI serves as the fiscal sponsor for VIPCA's 501(c)(3) Marine Rebuild Fund, which raises funding for the Marine Apprenticeship Program and youth training scholarships. This partnership enables tax-deductible donations to support VI youth careers in the marine industry.
• Risk Strategies (Part of Brown & Brown Team)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerRisk Strategies manages VIPCA's health insurance program underwritten by CIGNA, as well as yacht and travel insurance programs. They provide enrollment support, premium processing, and customer service for the Crew and Land-based health plans.
• CIGNAcoreTechnology or IntegrationCIGNA is the underwriter for VIPCA's comprehensive health insurance program offering worldwide coverage with up to $5,000,000 per policy year limit. The program includes medical, dental, and Employee Assistance Program (EAP) access.
• USVI Hotel and Tourism AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partnership requiring marine/charter allied members to hold dual membership in both organizations. Dual members pay reduced dues ($200 instead of $250 for USVIHTA, $200 instead of $300 for VIPCA). This partnership unifies land and sea tourism promotion in the territory.
• Cruz Bay WatersportsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in delivering the Marine Apprenticeship Program, providing practical sailing and water sports training components for program participants.
• Yacht Haven Grande (IGY Marinas)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIGY Marinas' Yacht Haven Grande location offers VIPCA members 10% off dockage as a member benefit.
• American Yacht HarborminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAmerican Yacht Harbor offers VIPCA vessel members 5% off dockage as a member discount benefit.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Charter Yacht Society of the British Virgin Islands (BVI CYS): The BVI's principal charter yacht trade association, representing crewed and bareboat operators in the closest competing Caribbean jurisdiction to VIPCA's territory. Highly comparable mission, structure, and event focus (BVI Charter Yacht Show).
• Marine Industries Association of South Florida (MIASF): Regional marine industry trade association representing yachting, charter, and marine businesses in South Florida. Comparable function to VIPCA at a larger geography, including member benefits, insurance partnerships, and shows like the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.
• International Yacht Brokers Association (IYBA): Global trade association for yacht brokers and charter brokers, with a code of ethics and member directory closely paralleling VIPCA's broker membership category and ethics committee. Direct overlap on charter broker services.

Broad incumbents

• National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA): The dominant U.S. recreational marine industry trade body covering boat manufacturers, engine makers, and broader marine businesses. Operates at a national scale rather than VIPCA's territorial-charter focus, but shares the non-profit trade association model.
• Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA): The global cruise industry trade association. Operates broadly across the maritime passenger sector rather than the niche private yacht charter space VIPCA serves, but is functionally comparable as a non-profit industry voice and event organizer.
• US Travel Association: National non-profit advocating for the broader U.S. travel industry, including destinations like the USVI. Operates at a significantly larger scale than VIPCA but shares the non-profit industry-association model and federal advocacy mandate.

Regional players

• Mediterranean Yacht Brokers Association (MYBA): European yacht and charter broker association with parallel broker-directory, MYBA Charter Show, and ethical standards functions. Similar broker-tier focus to VIPCA's broker membership, but in a different geography (Mediterranean rather than Caribbean).
• Bahamas Maritime Industry Association: National trade body supporting the Bahamian marine and yachting sector including charter operators. Comparable function to VIPCA but focused on a competing Caribbean jurisdiction; serves as a peer for benchmarking regional marine advocacy models.
• Antigua Charter Yacht Association / Antigua Charter Show: Organizer of the Antigua Charter Yacht Show and related association representing Caribbean charter operators. Directly comparable in mission and event focus, though anchored in another Eastern Caribbean jurisdiction.

Emerging players

• American Sailing Association (ASA): U.S. sailing education and certification body whose ASA 101 Basic Keelboat syllabus is delivered through VIPCA's Marine Apprenticeship Program. Tangentially comparable as a non-profit serving sailing industry professionals, with partial overlap on training and certification.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/VIPCA.org
• Instagraminstagram.com/vipca_usvi
• Xx.com/vipca4
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/virgin-islands-professional-charter-association

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Virgin Islands Professional Charter Association