At Erika’s Marine Services we offer many services to yachts people and land-based guests alike.
We are here, at your service. You can drop into our office at the waterfront in Clifton, Union Island, or e-mail/call us to let us know how we can help you. Read on to see what we do.
Our motto is “Making Life Easier for the Visiting Yachtsman”.
Owner and founder of Erika's - Heather Grant
Heather Grant is the owner and founder of Erika's Marine Services, a business that offers services to yachts and other clients in the Grenadines.
Over the years, she has developed the business from a small internet café with ancillary telephone and laundry services to a full yacht agency, offering Indispensable services to yachts of every size. In particular, Erika's concentrates on the larger, crewed yachts, both private and chartered, using Heather's experience of travel and knowledge of the expectations of her clients to allow Erika's to deliver a product that meets their needs - and in a timely fashion. The well trained support team at Erika's keeps the operation running smoothly.
Heather is also an articulate writer. She authors several articles each year for well known Caribbean regional publications. This year she has written an article in Grenadines Air Alliance Magazine on the plight of lobsters in the southern Grenadines and hopes her readers will assist in supporting efforts to help provide safe breeding grounds for the sea creatures.
Compass, All at Sea, Life in St. Vincent & the Grenadines - all publications in which Heather has been published. She has a wide range of interests, from animal welfare to matters of justice, security, literacy, and promotion of local entrepreneurs. As a volunteer for "Boaters for Books", she has assisted in the distribution of thousands of books for children in St. Vincent & the Grenadines.
Forthcoming article will focus on deadbeat yachts and how this behaviour affects local businesses and the economy, as well as the options available to local merchants who have been cheated.
Destination Event Specialist – Executive Retreats
Need to move a corporate group to a special event or organize an executive retreat? Need to transport a film crew around the islands for a shoot? Feel like an impromptu barbeque on a remote deserted isle - with perhaps a local steel pan band? Call Erika’s. We can arrange the site, clear any needed permissions, retain the chef, find and hire the needed equipment and recruit the musicians. One call to us does it all. In addition, we have villas and hotels available to host your group, chartered jets or twin propeller planes to transport them and yachts to sail them through the Grenadines. Guided tours, hiking guides, volcano visits, licenced SCUBA operators, spa and restaurant reservations, ground transportation from jet to yacht to shore – all these and more can be arranged by Erika’s.
Just ask us. |
Villa rentals – look on our Villa Rentals page to see a list of superb tropical and beachfront villas for rent, as well as local hotels and guesthouses.
Charter yacht agency – book a crewed or bareboat charter yacht through us. Learn all the details on our Charter a Yacht page.
Travel agency– regional Caribbean flight bookings, hotel and villa bookings, water based day tours - and more. Erika's books and issues tickets for scheduled and chartered regional flights – both jets and twin propeller aircraft. See our Travel Services page.
Concierge service– reconfirm international flights and hotel reservations for a small fee.
Budget Marine Agent– need a new bilge pump, plumbing accessory, VHF radio or winch handle? Order through Erika's. Competitive prices and fast delivery. Duty free for yachts in transit.
DSL internet & e-mail access – come to our office (use our computers or your own). We also have our wi-fi system working in Clifton Harbour. It's called HotHotHotSpot – just look for the portal page on your computer and pay by credit card from your yacht or pop into Erika’s for a prepaid card. Luxuriate in the comfort of your own yacht while surfing the net and communicating with the world. Read the attached article from a leading Canadian newspaper to find out how Erika's is leading the way in wi-fi.
Telephone & fax service – Make economical international calls, receive or send faxes.
Laundry – Erika's has been doing laundry for years. We offer a "next day" service, or you can ask for the "rush" service. Competent performance and ready on time.
Customs & Immigration clearances – Erika's can look after your clearing in and out duties. Let us take the time to deal with Customs and Immigration officials while you look after other chores, or simply stop in the shade for a cool drink.
DVD rentals – tired of your own collection of movies? Try one of Erika's over-900 titles. We have modern and classic films as well as some popular TV series.
TESTIMONIAL – Katy from SY Circe says, "Erika's has the best DVD selection in the Windwards." She actually anchors in Union Island longer just to watch a few movies, before sailing on.
Cash advances – if ( ‘when’ is a better word) the bank's ATM is not working, Erika's can advance that bit of cash necessary for making purchases from some of the smaller vendors on the island.
UPS & Quikpak courier agent – send or receive packages. Be assured that your spare parts or important documents will travel quickly and securely. Erika's will hold packages and mail for a yacht's arrival.
Book exchange – We know how long some of those passages can be. Good reading material is a necessity. Exchange your already-read books for fresh reading material.
Nautical chart sales – Erika's stocks Imray waterproof charts of the region.
Provisioning for yachts – with some notice, Erika's can order, receive and store provisions for yachts. Ask us for a list of provisions available – or simply tell us what you would like. Cut flowers or arrangements are also available with notice.
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Chille, our office manager
Delicia aka Shereeze, our smiling office assistant
Jacintha Campbell, our excellent laundress
Heather "Erika" Grant
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TESTIMONIAL - Clive Willenbrock, Captain of M/Y Mosaique, a 164 foot luxury charter yacht cruising the Grenadines in February 2007, called Erika's to help him arrange a steel pan band on a beach in the Tobago Cays, as well as coordinating the delivery of live lobsters and other provisions directly to the yacht while at anchor in this marine park. “Everything was great, thank you very much for your help and efficiency, I'm sure we will be working with you again soon... the guests had a good time."
Event organizers – for large yachts (or anyone) Erika’s can arrange a beach BBQ, local music, local colour. Just ask if we can help make your idea a reality.
Links with trusted contacts further on in your itinerary –
Erika's has contacts throughout the Caribbean. We can help smooth your voyage by sharing our regional knowledge. Let us arrange activities for guests and coordinate other services further along on your journey with trusted contacts within the region.
In Grenada, we have worked with Claire Budhlall-Spronk of Spronks' Provisioning/The Gourmet Store many times. Contact Claire for reliable service as well as a wide range of provisioning items.
For all your yacht services needs in Antigua, Jane's Yacht Services in English Harbour offers provisioning and a variety of other valuable services. Contact Jane Midson for more information. |
Hobo, Erika's mascot and resident dog
Sadly, on 26 December, 2005, Hobo died as a result of a hit and run accident in Clifton, Union Island. His exuberance and lovely spirit will be missed by us all. May he enjoy many chicken breakfasts in dog heaven. |
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