Frank Virgintino (author of Free Cruising Guides) working together with Sister Flora Blanchette of the L’ouvre Saint Francois orphanage and school on Ile a Vache, have launched a new “rally”/”flotilla” for cruising boats in Hispaniola, to raise money for the orphanage.

Taking place in February 2013, the event is open to all cruising boats and will begin at Marina Zarpar in the DR before cruising in the company to Ile a Vache, Haiti. After a week on the island visiting not only the orphanage but numerous other sites, those that wish to visit Jamaica, the Caymans and Cuba will proceed west. The remaining flotilla will go east to Jacmel, Haiti, then on to Bahia Las Aguillas, 15 miles north of Cabo Beata in the DR. From here, the flotilla will cruise to Isla Beata and then on to Las Salinas and finally Boca Chica for an “end of flotilla” celebration party.

All registration fees will be donated to the orphanage and there are limited places to keep the flotilla small, friendly and personal.

To find out more about this unique event, how to register and Sister Flora’s work with the L’ouvre Saint Francois orphanage, go here