Viatical and life settlements have been gaining significance over the last ten years, but many people know little about them. Essentially, they involve a seller of a life insurance policy and a purchaser or investor. The transaction is unusual in that it is more than just a commercial deal. There is clear mutual benefit on each side. Following is an explanation.

A viatical settlement involves the purchase of a life insurance policy from someone who is terminally ill.
This allows the seller to use the money received in any way he or she deems fit. People who are interested in viatical settlements initially are those afflicted with a terminal illness such as cancer, leukemia, heart disease, ALS or Parkinson’s disease, who choose to sell their life insurance policies in order to be able to receive the proceeds while still alive.

Viatical companies (arrangers of settlement transactions) have helped thousands of terminally ill people and senior citizens by offering a program that provides a practical solution for financial hardships. Often, the terminally ill utilize the money to provide upgraded medical care or to help fund a more comfortable lifestyle that they would otherwise not have had without the sale of their life insurance policies. Viatical settlements give terminally ill people and senior citizens the power to make important financial decisions about the remainder of their lives.

Purchasers/investors are attracted to viaticals because they are humanitarian in nature and provide a sensible vehicle for investment planning.
Viaticals are not a stock market product and offer fixed, total returns of up to 42% based upon estimated life expectancies of up to three years.* Potential purchasers of viatical settlements should always conduct business with licensed agents who work with viatical companies that only fund life insurance policies current beyond their contestable period.

In recent times, many investors have re-assessed the risk to reward ratio of their investments after factoring in market fluctuations plus other considerations related to the stock and bond markets, CDs, money markets, annuities and savings accounts. After reviewing other financial options, viaticals and life settlement programs that offer purchasers fixed, total returns* stand up well.

A life settlement involves the purchase of a life insurance policy from a qualified senior citizen in order that he or she may obtain a higher cash value than the cash surrender value offered by the insurer.
This is a program which was developed for seniors who have current health complications and feel that they no longer need or desire a particular life insurance policy. So, a life settlement is the sale of a life insurance policy to an individual purchaser by someone who, at the present time, has health complications but is not considered to be at the terminal stage. Seniors who sell their life insurance policies for cash reduce their premium payments to zero. Many seniors use the cash to purchase long term care, seek improved medical care, give gifts to family members, reduce or eliminate debt, make charitable donations, or travel the world, to name a few options.

Purchasers of life settlements may receive a fixed, total return of up to 72%.
This is based on four to six year estimated life expectancies.* Like viatical settlements, life settlements are not traditional market products that are subject to fluctuations.

The following step-by-step description illustrates the mechanics involved in settlements:

1. Insured comes to a viatical company.
A. Through a qualified policy broker, the company reviews life insurance policies to determine which policies adhere to company standards. Policy seller and insured are informed of these standards.
B. Insured signs a release of medical records. This allows the company access to the insured’s medical records.
C. The company obtains the insured’s medical records, laboratory reports and hospital records and has them reviewed by a U.S. state-licensed physician and/or medical review company.

2. Diagnosis.
A. For a viatical: The insured must be terminally ill and usually has a life expectancy of 36 months or less. For a life settlement: The insured is usually a senior citizen with health complications and an estimated life expectancy of 72 months or less.
B. The insured’s attending physician must verify and validate that the insured is of sound mind.
C. A U.S. state-licensed physician and/or medical review company reviews those medical records to evaluate the condition of the insured and provide an estimated life expectancy. This reviewing physician then confirms to the company the insured’s diagnosis and estimated life expectancy.

3. Verify Insurance Policy.
A. Insured signs waiver to release policy information directly from the insurance company.
B. Insurance company must be rated B+ or higher by A.M. Best.
C. Policy must be past the Contestable Period.
D. Policy must be past the applicable Suicide Period.
E. Policy must allow for Absolute Assignment of Ownership and/or Irrevocable right to beneficiaries.

4. Purchaser/Investor.
A. Completes Purchase Agreement in U.S. dollar amount.
B. If qualified Retirement Plan, fills out custodial forms.
C. Returns paperwork with check.
D. Funds are deposited with an escrow agent and earn interest until policy closing.

5. Closing.
A. Contact current beneficiaries, get signed consent waiving or releasing beneficiaries’ rights.
B. Policy seller transfers insurance policy to the new owner (where applicable).
C. Purchaser or designee is recorded as a beneficiary by using a standard change of beneficiary form provided by the insurance company.
D. Check is paid to the policy seller by the Escrow Agent.
E. When applicable, funds sufficient to make premium payments for the estimated life expectancy will be paid or escrowed at the time of closing.
F. Purchaser receives a copy of the transfer of ownership form, reassignment of beneficiary form, and a report from a state-licensed reviewing physician regarding estimated life expectancy.

6. Maturity.
When the policy matures, the death benefit is paid by the insurance company to the designated beneficiaries.

Not all viatical companies offer the same level of returns or the same degree of due diligence. A purchaser should research the alternatives before making a firm decision. Viatical and life settlement investments are not designed for liquid funds that might be required at short notice or those held as emergency money. Funds must be placed for strategic investment purposes. The starting level is generally USD $25,000.

Viatical and Life Settlement programs are provided in the U.S. and are regulated state by state. As a result of the introduction of the U.S. Patriot Act and other regulations, compliance is performed with care by the leading viatical companies on all applications. This ensures that funds supplied and investor status conform in all respects.

At this point, the normal tax caveat of “Always obtain advice from a tax advisor in your home country” must be sounded. A key point to note is that the proceeds of an insurance policy are just that, rather than a stock market dividend or interest payment. Investors offshore often prefer returns that are not taxed at source.

Individuals and corporate entities in the TCI are in an excellent position to enjoy the choice of worldwide onshore and offshore investments with minimum restrictions. Viatical and Life Settlement programs can be included as portfolio components, introducing good returns plus stability. Your returns are based upon the total amount placed in the program.

Visitors to TCI and part time residents may also find this different form of investment to be worthwhile. With new regulations possibly being imposed on residents of Europe (relating to the handling of personal savings), a settlement program as an alternate product should be welcomed.

*Fixed, total returns are not annualized returns. Any annualized return will vary based on the actual life span of the insured. Consult your financial advisor. This is not an offer to sell, an offer to purchase, or a solicitation for purchase or sale of viatical or life settlements.

Charles Dargie is Managing Director of SILK ROAD LTD, Information Coordinators in TCI. He can be contacted at silkroad@tciway.tc.

It’s hard to believe that Cheshire Hall Plantation is so close to the Providenciales business district. For as soon as you pass through the refuge of its rugged stone wall, you feel the present disappear. Sounds of traffic, construction and airplanes vanish and a lonely quiet takes their place, filling the silence with memories of the past.

In April, 2003, the Turks & Caicos Islands National Trust re-opened the Cheshire Hall Loyalist Plantation National Historic site for public tours. Visitors will find interpretive signs, stone-lined nature trails, plant identification markers and an informative leaflet. The goal, says Executive Director Ethlyn Gibbs-Williams, is to encourage visitors and residents to understand and appreciate the country’s deep historical roots and natural history.

Standing somber and still, you’ll discover ruins of the plantation’s Great House and several outbuildings, along with circular structures that held tools of the cotton industry, including a cotton gin and cotton press. The Great House is on the breezy rise of a hilltop, overlooking much of western Providenciales and a valley below, which was likely once used for raising food crops or livestock. Sections of the original stone wall still trace the plantation’s boundaries deep in the bush.

In fact, much of the Cheshire Hall site is lush with the native plants — Guinea Grass, Cow Bush, Bull Vine and Torchwood trees, to name a few — that carpeted the area centuries ago. The bush is also home to butterflies, birds and lizards, all noticeably flitting, flying and crawling by as you wander the trails. I especially enjoyed the lower trail that winds along the plantation’s western wall past a hidden ruin overgrown with trees and a seemingly bottomless well (watch your children!). Leading up to the Great House, walking this shady trail is a chance to closely examine the craftsmanship of the wall and details of the tropical plants that line the trail’s edges.

Facing due north at the top of the hill is a cannon that protected the planters and their slaves from unwelcome attack. According to Colette Robinson, former National Trust Marketing & Public Relations Manager, a number of small cannon balls were found buried in the sand on the site. She also explained that the buildings’ original walls were made from soft limestone blocks mortared with sand and quicklime. This material was ingeniously made by burning huge piles of conch shells in kilns, then mixing the ash with water to form the white plaster that covered the buildings’ exteriors.

I was also fascinated by the primitive drawings of sloops etched into the Great House wall facing the settlement of Five Cays. Colette says these mysterious drawings appear on many plantations throughout the Bahamas and Turks & Caicos; their significance is currently being researched.

The Road to Recovery

Although the ruins of Cheshire Hall are among the country’s more important cultural properties, they were dangerously close to being destroyed by progress before the National Trust stepped in. After much lobbying by the Trust, in 2000 the TCI Government transferred the site (already designated an “Area of Historic Interest”) to the Trust’s care. A 99-year lease is under negotiation.

The structures were in a critical state following years of neglect and vandalism. Yet thanks to a grant from the British Government, the National Trust was able to hire restoration expert Rodney Melville, who came highly recommended by the English National Trust. He produced a rescue strategy for Cheshire Hall which was implemented. Dr. Donald Keith of Ships of Discovery and his team surveyed and photographed the original site, stone by stone. Their extensive work was distilled into a CD and site plan. Cheshire Hall was temporarily closed while the structures were stabilized and nature trails laid.

A Gateway to Culture

Ethlyn Gibbs-Williams believes that Cheshire Hall’s central location makes it an ideal gateway site to other TCI cultural attractions. “In the short term, we’d like to restore the ruin that stands just inside the gate (possibly the overseer’s house) to be a visitor’s center. In the future, we hope to develop Cheshire Hall into a major tourism cultural facility. The Loyalists left a legacy more important than simply ruins. The planters left their slaves behind, who became the real settlers, developers and lasting pioneers of the Turks & Caicos Islands.”

Guided tours of Cheshire Hall are offered Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 4 PM. The cost is $5.00. For reservations, call The National Trust at (649) 941-5710 or 231-1172.

Who were the Loyalists?

The Loyalists were original American colonists who remained faithful to England during the Revolutionary War. By 1778, when the British armies pulled out of the southern states, thousands of Loyalists abandoned their holdings there and fled, along with their slaves, to British-held Florida and later to the Bahamas, which then included the Turks & Caicos Islands.

They (or more accurately, their slaves), built grand plantations to grow the highly prized Sea Island Cotton, preferred by the expanding textile industries in England. Although the land was initially productive, a combination of thin soil, infestations of chenille worm and red bug and the Great Hurricane of 1813 cut short the life of these enterprises. The Loyalists departed or died and left behind the ruins of beautiful stone buildings and some 1,200 slaves. These slaves are the ancestors of much of the populations of North and Middle Caicos and Providenciales.

Who built Cheshire Hall?

Loyalist Wade Stubbs, originally from the village of Gawsworth in the English county of Cheshire, received a grant of 860 acres on North Caicos. Here he built the Bellefield Plantation, later christened “Wade’s Green.” His holdings grew and Wade soon convinced his brother Thomas to leave Cheshire County and seek his fortune in the Caicos Islands. Thomas Stubbs settled on Providenciales (then known as Blue Caicos) and named his plantation after his home county.

By 1810, Thomas Stubbs gave up and sold Cheshire Hall to Wade. A soon-to-be-placed cornerstone at Cheshire Hall, inscribed “W. Stubbs 1810″ commemorates this transaction. At his death in 1822, Wade Stubbs’ Cheshire Hall holdings were approximately 5,000 acres and he left behind 384 slaves.

Shells of the Turks and Caicos Islands
Story and Photos by Richard Ground

Among the many exciting things about holidaying on a tropical island are the strange and beautiful shells that you can find on the beach or when out snorkeling. The Turks & Caicos Islands are no exception, and observant visitors will find a rich and wonderful world awaiting exploration. The serious collector needs a good field guide, and several are available on-island, but for those who just want an overview, this is the first of three articles about the shells of the Turks & Caicos Islands (TCI).

Seashells are produced by molluscs, and for the casual collector there are two main types, gastropods and bivalves. The gastropods are sea snails, and they produce the familiar spiraling shells. The bi-valves, on the other hand, are composed of two flat shells held together by a ligament, and their remains are often found on the beach as single, flat valves. Of course, as with everything, there are exceptions. Limpets, those conical shells which cling tightly to rocks, are really primitive gastropods which have not yet begun to grow their shell in the spiral tube typical of the class. In this article, I will begin exploring some of the typical gastropods of the TCI, grouping the shells according to their families.

Conch shells

The most obvious group are the Conchs, which are members of the Strombidae family. Everyone is familiar with the huge Queen Conch (Strombus gigas) [see cover photo], and a local treat is eating it in one of the many delicious ways that it can be prepared for the table. But there are four other species which inhabit our waters, and all are much smaller. The Milk Conch (Strombus costatus) is half the size of the Queen Conch, and its interior and lip are a pure, milky white. The Hawk Wing Conch (Strombus raninus) is only three inches at most. From the back it looks a little like a frog (indeed its scientific name derives from the Latin word for frog), and from the front its flaring lip gives it a harp shape. The Rooster Tail Conch (Strombus gallus) gets its name from the upward extension of its flared lip, which can add an inch to its three to four inch shell. The Fighting Conch (Strombus pugilis) occurs in the Caicos Islands, and is the same species as that found in Florida.

Helmet shells

Another spectacular family of large shells is the Helmet family (Cassidae). The larger species are often about the same size as Queen Conchs, and are sometimes mistakenly referred to as “Conchs,” but they are quite different. They do not have the flaring outer lip, so typical of members of the conch family, but instead have a thick, glossy “shield” on the inside of the aperture on the bottom of the shell. This can be carved into cameos, and so they are sometimes called “cameo shells.”

There are three species of the larger helmets in the Caribbean, all of which can be found in the TCI. In diminishing order of maximum size they are: the Emperor Helmet (Cassis madagascarensis), which can reach 14 inches; the King Helmet (Cassis tuberosa); and the Princess or Flame Helmet (Cassis flammea). Three species of smaller Helmets, often called “Bonnets,” are also found in the TCI — the handsome Reticulated Cowrie-Helmet (Cypraecassis testiculus); the smooth form of the Scotch Bonnet (Phalium cicatricosum); and the small Woodlouse (Morum oniscus).

Cone shells

For me, the most magical of the shells found here are the Cones. They are aptly named, for the spiraling tube of the shell is flattened to create a perfect cone, with the opening running all along one side. They are predators that catch their prey by injecting them with poison, and the sting of some species in the Indo-Pacific region can be fatal to humans. While ours are not lethal, two of the larger species — the Crown Cone (Conus regius) and the Alphabet Cone (Conus spurius) are said to be able to inflict a painful wound. You are not likely to find either on the beach — the Crown Cone lives out on the reef, while the Alphabet Cone is rather rare here (although common in Florida).

What you will find on the beach in great numbers are small white cones, some of which are smooth while others are covered in warty lumps. These are two forms of Conus jaspideus. You may also find the Mouse Cone (Conus mus) — when fresh this is a beautiful olive green, but those that have been on the beach for a while turn pink. If you are really lucky you may find the small Conus jucundus, whose glossy, inch-long shell is mottled brown and white, with a purple aperture. And that is not all . . . mysteries lurk in these waters, and the small, pale-yellow cone that occasionally washes up on one special beach in Grand Turk may well be a new and previously unknown species.

Olive shells

Olive Shells are a bit like Cones, in that they are elongated and have the aperture down one side. We only have two species — the Netted Olive (Oliva reticularis) and the tiny Common Rice Olive (Olivella floralia). Olives live in the sand, and have a beautiful, highly polished gloss to their shells. In the Caicos Islands, the Netted Olive (which is about an inch and a half long) lives up to its name, having a brown net-like pattern on the shell, but in the Turks Islands the common form is a brilliant, pure white. This form is uncommon elsewhere, and is sometimes called the Pearl Olive, because of its beauty. The Rice Olives are abundant, and look just like grains of rice. They are never more than half an inch long.

Cowrie and Trivia shells

Cowries have a particular tropical lure to them. Magically glossy, Native Americans treasured them; Mediterranean specimens have turned up in bronze age graves in Britain; and some Pacific Islanders have used them as currency.

There are three species in the TCI. The large Measled Cowrie (Cypraea zebra) is (at three to four inches long) the most spectacular, and the rarest, but the smaller inch-long Yellow Cowrie (Cypraea spurca) and Atlantic Gray Cowrie (Cypraea cinerea) are more common. All live on shallow coral reefs.

Much commoner, and also much smaller, are the tiny Trivia. Although a different family from the cowries, they have the same shape and toothed aperture. It requires a sharp eye to spot the quarter inch Four-spotted Trivia (Trivia quadripunctata), although its lovely, bright pink colour helps catch the attention. The Coffee Bean Trivia (Trivia pediculus), is larger, at half-an-inch, and looks remarkably like its namesake.

The Common Atlantic Bubble (Bulla striata) also resembles a Cowrie from the back, but its aperture is not toothed, being smooth on the inside and having a thin outer rim. This mottled brown, unprepossessing shell is abundant on our beaches.

Murex shells

Murex Shells were famous in antiquity for producing purple dye for the ceremonial robes of Roman emperors. All are highly carnivorous and prey on other mollusks, drilling through their shells with their radula, which is a sort of hardened tongue.

Common in the TCI, the Apple Murex (Phyllonotus pomum), has a robust, thick shell, which can reach five inches long. Fresh specimens are usually heavily encrusted with marine growths, but underneath the shell is a mottled brown, with delicate scales and fluted spines. They last a long time on beaches, where they eventually fade to white.

A smaller, more delicate Murex is the Hexagonal Murex (Muricopsis oxytatus), a spiny little shell of about an inch. The Little Aspella (Dermomurex paupercula) is about the same size, but it lacks the spines and tends to be covered in encrustations. The Blackberry Drupe (Morula nodulosa) look just like its namesake, but is only about half-an-inch long.

Murex & Rock shells

The Rock Shells are a distinct sub-family of the Murex. The largest is the spectacular Wide-mouthed Purpura (Purpura patula), which lives attached to cliff faces around the tide line. Outside it is worn and dull, but its huge aperture (used to accommodate a large foot to anchor it firmly) is a glossy, salmon pink. The two other Rock Shells, the Rustic Rock Shell (Thais rustica) and the Deltoid Rock Shell (Thais deltoidea) can both attain two inches, but are usually smaller, and covered in encrustations.

Triton shells

Tritons belong to the family Ranellidae (which means “frog-like”), and they tend to be smallish, warty brown shells. The exception is Triton’s Trumpet (Charonia variegata) which is smooth and pointed, and can reach 18 inches in length. At that size it is the largest shell found in the TCI. However, you would be lucky to find something that big, with six inches being the average. If the tip is cut off they can be blown like a trumpet, and if you go to the Trevi fountain in Rome you can see the sea god, Triton, blowing one (hence the name). But the Arawak Indians, who were the earliest inhabitants of these islands, also used them in that way, and a perfect example of this, nearly 1,000 years old, was found in an excavation on Grand Turk (see Times of the Islands, Winter 2003/04).

The other Tritons are smaller — the Hairy Triton (Cymatium pileare) can reach three inches, and gets its name from the hair-like frills on its periostracum (which is a soft, outer covering which some shells have when alive). The smaller Dwarf Hairy Triton (Cymatium vespaceum) is more inflated and inhabits deeper waters. The common Gold-mouthed Triton (Cymatium nicobaricum) is a mottled white, but has a gorgeous golden-red aperture. The Knobbed Triton (Cymatium muricinum) is brown, with a great smear of creamy white enamel, like glazing on a cake, around its aperture. Its empty shell is a great favourite of land hermit crabs. The Neapolitan Triton (Cymatium parthenopeum) looks similar from above, but at over two inches is larger, and is distinguished by a long siphonal canal, which is the “snout” that protrudes from the front of some shells.

The smallest of the Tritons is the tiny Lip Triton (Cymatium labiosum), while the largest of the knobby ones is the Angular Triton (Cymatium femorale) which can attain a spectacular eight inches. It has a triangular aperture and a pagoda-like spire, and is a beautiful dark brown, marked with white. It is much sought after, but rarely found whole. It seems to fracture easily, and while fragments are common on beaches fringed by Turtle Grass beds, complete shells are exceptional.

Coral snails & Frog-shells

Similar in appearance to Tritons are the Frog Shells, of which only the St. Thomas Frog Shell (Bursa thomae) is found regularly in the TCI. It has a pointed spire, which is laterally flattened, and a distinctive lavender aperture, the rim of which projects slightly like a calcareous frill. The larger Granular Frog Shell (Bursa granularis) is similar in shape, but lacks the colourful aperture.

Coral Snail shells

The Coral Snails also have colourful apertures. The Caribbean Coral Snail (Coralliophila caribbaea) has a deep violet aperture, while that of the Short Coral Snail (Coralliophila abbreviata) is a creamy orange. However, these small shells (which live and feed on Sea Fans) are usually heavily covered in limey encrustations.

Tulip and Latirus shells

The family Fasciolariidae includes the showy Tulips and the knobby Latirus shells. A large Tulip can exceed six inches, and has a variegated exterior patterned in brown or gray and a glossy, light orange interior. The animal is highly predaceous, and cannibalism on its own species is common.

The Latirus shells are smaller, and usually knobby or ridged. The largest, at up to three inches, is the Carinated Latirus (Latirus cariniferus) which is a deep yellow, with brown stripes in the valleys between raised ribs. The White-spotted Latirus (Leucozonia ocellata) has a similar shape, but averages around one inch, and is a light brown with white knobs. The Chestnut Latirus (Leucozonia nassa) is a deep chestnut brown, with yellowish knobs, but in the Turks Islands the dominant form is entirely smooth and fairly small, at around one inch. The baby of the family is the tiny Key West Latirus (Dolicholatirus cayohuesonicus), which is a uniform tan brown, rarely exceeding half an inch.

To be continued in Summer 2004 Times of the Islands.

CLEANING YOUR SHELLS

The richness and diversity of the shells of the TCI can seem endless, as can the task of sorting and cleaning those you collect! Many that you find on beaches will be worn and sun-bleached, while fresher ones may still be covered in the calcareous concretions that cover some species in life. This can be removed using a dental pick or similar instrument and I find a small hobbyist’s drill useful.

Often shells will be covered in green algae, which can even grow in the fabric of the shell itself. A short soaking in a weak bleach solution will remove that and generally freshen up the shell. In some cases, a quick dip in 10% muriatic acid will revive a dull looking shell, but you need to be careful for the acid eats away both encrustation and shell indiscriminately.

Once you have the shell clean, rub it with mineral oil or a household polish such as Pledge, which is light and penetrating, to bring out the colours and preserve the shine. All this can be hard and painstaking work, but it is worth persevering, because by cleaning and then identifying your finds, you can turn a heap of old shells into a meaningful and beautiful collection.

Richard Ground has been Chief Justice of the Turks & Caicos Islands since 1998, recently leaving to take up an appointment as Chief Justice of Bermuda. When not at work, his main interest is wildlife photography, with an emphasis on birds. Shells are a new departure; describing himself as an insatiable collector and cataloguer, he says it was not long before he was sorting his finds and searching for rarer and more beautiful specimens.

By Kathy Borsuk

We all know how much the Internet has expanded and streamlined our lives. On an isolated island chain like the Turks & Caicos, its effects are magnified. Consider that as few as 25 years ago, the only way to “chat” with a friend in another country was through snail mail; while folks on other islands were contacted via VHF radio or the “coconut telegraph,” provided that confidentiality wasn’t an issue! Shopping typically meant a trip to Miami and computer, appliance and other equipment malfunctions required expensive telephone calls to solve. And without a proper library, research for an article or school project was nearly impossible. These days, the use of e-mail and the world-wide web has revolutionised business and personal communications, educational opportunities and even our social lives.

As every Internet user soon learns, the faster the speed at which data is transmitted, the better. (It’s a sad fact that our brains quickly learn to anticipate the fastest speed at which an action occurs. That’s why we’re impatient when it takes more than 30 seconds to download something that used to take weeks to arrive by mail.)

High speed Internet service was the answer, offering blazing speeds to satisfy even the most impatient user. Thanks to the foresight of local companies and the TCI government, high speed Internet service in the Turks & Caicos is at the forefront of 21st century technology, now available through phones lines and cable television connections.

Cable & Wireless ADSL
Cable & Wireless (C&W), the TCI’s sole licensed operator of telecom services, introduced high speed Internet service using ADSL (Asynchronous Digital Subscriber Line) broadband technology in March, 2003. With this state-of-the-art system, Internet access is always on and you can use your phone line at the same time, without interrupting the connection. Speeds up to 30 times faster than standard 56K dial-up modems allow you to quickly down- and upload large data files (such as photos, videos and music), rapidly transfer files between locations and send and receive e-mail in the blink of an eye.

How is this possible? According to Cable & Wireless Chief Executive Ian Kyle, “Using ADSL, your telephone line is divided in two parts. One part is used for the always-on telephone voice/fax service. The other part is connected, via your ADSL modem, directly to our switch and then on to the Internet down a dedicated set of broadband access cables.”

All Internet access, whether Dial-Up or ADSL, is routed via C&W’s purchased capacity in the ARCOS undersea fiber-optic cable, connected in the Turks & Caicos at a land station on North West Point, Providenciales. The Internet signal travels from the C&W office on Leeward Highway to North West Point via a microwave transmission link, moving on via ARCOS to Hollywood, Florida and the world-wide web.

C&W uses its regional hub in Barbados for “authentication” — i.e. checking password and log-in credentials. This routing to Barbados is also used whenever customers check their e-mail via the C&W mail server based there. Both access routes are backed up with an alternate satellite transmission option from Grand Turk. Users can also log-in to the Internet from any location with a computer, phone line and modem — such as a friend’s house or Internet cafe — using their personal account and password.

According to Ian Kyle, there has been “mass migration” from the slower Dial-Up service to their ADSL broadband option. Currently, three packages are tailored to customers’ needs, with down- and upload speeds ranging from 128K to 1,544 K down and 64K to 256 K up and including three to ten e-mail addresses and space for a web site (3 to 5 MB). Monthly fees range from $79 to $349, although, Kyle adds, “We’re constantly reviewing and improving our offerings, so look for changes in the future.”

Customers are required to purchase an ADSL modem and filter pack or splitter, available from C&W. “Best of all,” Kyle says, “We can have your existing telephone line ADSL-ready within 24 hours. It’s fairly simple to install the modem yourself or with the help of a local computer technician. We also operate a 24 hour Help Desk available by dialing 638.”

Providing comparable telecom services to all of TCI’s populated areas is a serious responsibility for C&W. To date, it has invested close to half a billion dollars in the infrastructure connecting the Islands, and annually spends a minimum of $5 million in enhancement and maintenance. Currently, ADSL is available throughout Providenciales and Grand Turk and at Bottle Creek, North Caicos, with Dial-Up service offered to these locations as well as all of the other populated islands — Pine, Parrot and Salt Cays, and North, Middle and South Caicos. ADSL service rollout is anticipated for North, Middle and South Caicos during fiscal year 2004/2005.

The Caribbean’s top telecom provider also developed a Direct Connect service to cater to corporate networks that need to have a static IP address. With Direct Connect, the electronic mailing address that the system uses to get your Internet information packets to your computer doesn’t change and can be hard-wired into computer software.

As part of their ongoing community service, C&W provides free Internet access to all government schools, often supplying the schools with computers, as well. The company also supports TCI Minister of Education Hon. Lillian Robinson-Been’s library initiative and will be donating high-speed service for Internet rooms there.

Kyle mused on future service options for ADSL high speed Internet, “We have various ideas under consideration, including pay-as-you-go cards for Internet service (now available for cell phones) and voice over the Internet options.”

To help consumers understand these and other services, C&W Public Relations Marketing Manager Rachel Harvey hosts a live talk show on WIV-Channel 4, on the second Tuesday of every month at 7:00 pm. For more information, you can also visit www.cw.tc.

While discussions with the TCI government towards liberalising the telecommunications market are ongoing, Cable & Wireless showed its commitment to the country by leasing capacity on its Internet backbone network to TCT Ltd., to enable them to bring an Internet service via cable television connections to the market.

Express High Speed Internet
In October, 2003, TCT Ltd. launched its branded Express High Speed Internet service on Providenciales, bringing a new option for Internet connections to residents. The service transmits broadband signals through a fiber optic cable backbone that had been painstakingly laid across the island by WIV Cable TV over the last 18 months.

According to General Manager Jeff Campbell, TCT’s Express service delivers blazing Internet speeds through your cable TV connection; you are always on-line and never need to worry about tying up your telephone line. And, thanks to state-of-the-art technology, you can watch TV and surf the Net at the same time without any loss of quality.

This service was made possible with a $4-$5 million investment in 150 miles of hybrid-fiber-coax (HFC) cable, which, according to TCT Ltd., has the capacity to handle down- and upload speeds as high as 10Mps, ensuring it will be more than adequate to handle future increases in transmission rates. Neighborhood “nodes” are close to everyone’s home, further ensuring speed and stability, and new nodes are easily added to the system.

With “simplifying the customer experience” a major TCT goal, Campbell says that getting on-line is painless and can be accomplished, in most cases, within 24 hours. “For our one-time installation fee of $149, a technician visits your home, adds a new cable outlet near your computer, tests and adjusts the signal levels on the line, installs the necessary software, provides you with your new cable modem (yours to keep) and makes sure everything is operational.” Problems are quickly attended to with a well-trained local technical support staff.

Jeff Campbell recently moved to Provo, but has a long history in the high speed Internet business. In 1997, he launched one of the first full residential and commercial cable modem services in North America and most recently was founder and CEO of a company that developed and supported software for high speed Internet providers around the world. Campbell actually started his first Internet service company in 1993, quipping, “We knew the Web before the Web was cool.Ó”

Campbell says, “Today, the Internet is a utility and a necessity. We firmly believe that what is important is the experience — not the technology. What you do on the Internet and what is important to you is a very personal thing. We believe in providing you with the most transparent, enjoyable Internet experience possible. We won’t confuse you with technical specifications or complex pricing. The Internet should be easy, it should be enjoyable and it should be for everyone. That’s what Express is all about.”

Express maintains its own complete network operation center on Providenciales, with all of its servers and staff located here. Calling the Help Desk means talking to a fellow resident.

Express services are symmetric, offering the same speeds for downloading and uploading. Packages currently start at 256K for $75/month, with services available at 512K and 768K. Unlike other products in the marketplace, there is no long term service contract required.

“We’re looking at some interesting new products to help bring broadband to everyone on Providenciales,” Campbell says. “Expect to see an exciting new offering in the coming months.” Campbell is tight-lipped about details, but indicates that the company is strongly committed to bringing the Internet to the widest possible audience.

Express makes free Internet connections available to school on Providenciales and is an active member of the community, sponsoring sporting events and other projects. In addition, Campbell writes about technology and communications topics for local magazines and says that the company is considering conducting free seminars for the public and launching a local computers/technology TV show. An enhanced web site is also in the works.

You can try out the Express service in the lobby of the WIV Cable offices on Leeward Highway. If you have questions, Campbell prefers to answer them directly. He says, “We’re a small, close-knit community and it is important to make yourself available to your customers. I often sit with them in the lobby to explain our service.”

With high speed Internet service now an affordable reality, TCI residents can open a new world with the click of their mouse. Viewing video clips in real time, downloading huge software programs in seconds, videoconferencing with family and friends and playing video games on-line are just a few of the possibilities.

Not so long ago, developers of property on Providenciales were considered mavericks, brave pioneers taking a risk on the mostly unknown island chain. It’s a testament to Provo’s rapidly maturing condominium market that well-known developers are now eager to etch their signatures in the fine ivory sand.

The Tuscany is a case in point. One of Grace Bay’s newest condominium projects, it is spearheaded by Brian E. Butler, the foremost builder of resort and luxury condominiums on Grand Cayman’s Seven Mile Beach. In fact, over the past 25 years, Butler’s team has built 16 projects there, with the latest, The Meridian, slated to open this June.

The Tuscany’s resident co-developers, Ellingson-Lewis Developments, take some of the credit for introducing the Cayman magnate to the jewel that is Grace Bay. Bob Ellingson-Lewis explains, “My wife, Faye, and I encouraged Brian to come here a couple of years ago so that he could see first-hand the remarkable progress that the island had made since an earlier trip. When he saw what was taking place, he was eager to get on board.”

The Canadian-born Ellingson-Lewis’s are no strangers to the development process. Prior to moving to Providenciales, the pair was involved in residential land development, as well as designing, building, renovating and selling custom homes in Canada and the United States.

Aerial view of Tuscany siteThe Tuscany site lies just east of Ocean Club, with 245 feet of oceanfront on lovely Grace Bay, the premiere location for sun, sand and sea aficionados. With the availability of land in this area rapidly dwindling, The Tuscany developers made sure its owners would enjoy only sweeping vistas of liquid turquoise and flaming sunsets on the horizon. Each of the 30 units is a three-bedroom/ three-bathroom oceanfront villa, lined with a panoramic 27 foot wide screened terrace.

Stretching lengthwise 4 1/2 acres to the south, the site allows several features that are not typically found in Grand Cayman developments. Ellingson-Lewis explains, “Because we have so much depth to work with, we’re able to build a beautiful rectangular courtyard and pool behind the two residential buildings. This landscaped patio area is lined with arched walkways and we’ll have a covered parking area for each owner, as well. From the main road, directly across from Provo Golf Club, a lengthy, palm-lined grand boulevard leads to the reception building, giving our owners plenty of privacy.”

Tuscany villa rendering

What inspired Italian architecture for a project in the Caribbean? The developers say that many typically Tuscan design elements fit their stylistic approach to the project. “We realized that the use of arches and columns, lots of stonework and timber beams, a barrel-tiled roof and the long, landscaped courtyard were all Mediterranean features germane to a look that would be long lasting and classically popular.” They called upon the local architectural firm of OBM Limited to capture and refine the concept, while utilizing a popular villa floor plan from Butler’s past successful projects in Cayman.

Along with attention to design, Butler’s reputation as a quality developer stems from careful material selection and quality control, traits exhibited in The Tuscany’s features and amenities. Fronting the ocean, both the living/dining salon and master bedroom suite soak in the heavenly Grace Bay Beach views through floor-to-ceiling windows that open onto private, fully screened patios. Each guest bedroom includes a full bath and the large gourmet kitchen is outfitted in custom cabinetry, with polished granite countertops. Two elevators service each five-story building. Tuscany owners will enjoy its tennis courts and fitness center, as well as a library/meeting room.

An on-site resident manager ensures that life at The Tuscany remains carefree in true luxury condominium style, keeping villas and the site in good order when owners are away, and helping with dining, recreation and relaxation options when they are in residence. Owners can voluntarily participate in a vacation rental program, to be managed by the Strata Council itself (not a paid management company), a move that typically increases available rental income. This management system has been tried and tested for over 25 years in the Cayman Islands.

The Tuscany’s interiors are designed by Faye Ellingson-Lewis, who operates the Design Studio on Providencales. Using nearly 30 years of experience in the field, Faye has created four distinct furnishing packages from which Tuscany owners can choose.

Although Brian Butler’s Seven Mile Beach projects in Cayman are ranked among the top real estate investments in the Caribbean, the developers believe that The Tuscany offers exceptional value. For instance, an average unit price in The Meridian (sold out at roof-on stage) was about $1.5 million; investors can get a slightly larger villa at The Tuscany for around $850,000. On top of that, The Tuscany offers a better beach, a larger site with more amenities, and much more privacy. The maximum density in Grand Cayman is 25 units/acre; here it is only eight, 3-bedroom units/acre. In addition, as the infrastructure on Providenciales, and Grace Bay in particular, grows so will the value of the condominiums, making now the perfect time to purchase your piece of paradise.

Contingent to final approval by the TCI Government Planning Department, construction on The Tuscany is anticipated to start this summer. Ellingson-Lewis also revealed that the team plans a future project on the beachfront site just west of The Tuscany.

For more information, visit www.thetuscanygracebay.com, call (649) 941-4550 or (649) 231-4560 or visit the on-site information office from 10 AM to 4 PM daily, entry gates across from Provo Golf Club.

We all know how good it feels to wear a brand-new suit of clothes. The fabric’s colors are rich, every button is in place, creases and collars are sharp and hems unfrayed. Yet without proper care, over time it’s easy for that garment to become faded, stained and worn, losing its appeal and often abandoned in the back of the closet.

Beaches Turks & Caicos resort

So it is with a tourist destination like Providenciales. It’s really a conundrum; the very qualities that initially make a place appealing — in this case, a pristine combination of sand, sea and sun — can readily be “loved to death” as more visitors discover its charms.

To keep the Turks & Caicos Islands “beautiful by nature,” everyone must accept responsibility for the environment. And as the country’s largest resort, Beaches Turks & Caicos Resort & Spa realized from the beginning that they had to play a leading role.

So it was that in December, 2003, Beaches Turks & Caicos became the country’s first Green Globe certified resort, joining 18 other resorts in the popular Sandals all-inclusive chain. With this accomplishment, Sandals became the first Caribbean English-speaking chain to be totally certified.

As reported in the Fall 2002 Times of the Islands, efforts to earn Green Globe status began in earnest in mid-2001, by implementing an action-driven Environmental Management System (EMS) that led to eco-friendly changes in all aspects of daily operations.

Environment, Health & Safety Manager Gordon Elder stepped aboard in November, 2002, following formal training with other such managers in the Sandals chain. He immediately expanded the EMS program to cover health and safety aspects and tackled areas where it needed most improvement, such as team member awareness and education. Elder says he relies heavily on the Green Team, a group of eco- conscious team members from every department. “Their specific suggestions, brainstorming sessions and outreach activities form the backbone of our success in getting Green Globe certified.”

The Green Team

A panel of auditors from SGS, an international certification agency, performed the inspection. For 3 1/2 grueling days, they combed the Beaches property with detailed checklists, at large to ask questions of anyone working on the 36-acre site. Elder’s efforts paid off, and the resort passed with flying colors.

Where the environment is concerned, Beaches’ top three projects are the reverse osmosis plant (replaces using scarce natural freshwater wells), a reclaimed water facility (in which wastewater is treated and recycled to irrigate the grounds) and the compost heap. This includes dried leaves, sludge and 45 to 70 buckets of coffee grounds a month! It has been producing fertilizer since June, 2003 — itself recycled to keep the property’s beautiful landscaping healthy and lush while reducing the use of harmful herbicides and pesticides. Beaches’ Grounds Department also looks after the greenhouse, where 35 different types of flowers and 7 varieties of trees are re-grown.

Other conservation efforts range from energy and water management to reducing the use of hazardous chemicals and maintaining an environmentally sensitive purchasing policy. Specific actions taken include using efficient fluorescent light bulbs, low-flow showerheads and phosphate-free chemicals, purchasing goods with minimal packing material and eliminating the use of non-biodegradable products.

Elder explains that a large part of his job involves teaching and sensitizing Beaches’ 780 team members, who represent 33 nationalities, about environmental, health and safety issues. Through on-going presentations, a Green Vision handbook and safety signs (also translated into French Creole) and an Environmental Bulletin Board, he not only heightens awareness of why certain practices help the natural environment, but also why they make the work environment a healthier, safer place for team members and guests.

Beaches Turks & Caicos resort compost heap

For instance, he has compiled a massive notebook of usage and safety data for all chemicals used on the property, and, with Beaches Training Manager Marion Warnke, explains to team members the best and safest way to handle and store the chemicals they use on their daily jobs. The TCI Fire Department participated in fire extinguisher training seminars and a property-wide fire drill, while hurricane safety and emergency procedures are regularly reviewed.

In collaboration with the Public Relations Department, Elder schedules Green Vision presentations to mark key environmental milestones, often involving government and community groups. For instance, on World Health Day, the Green Team organized a conference with Desmond Hall from the TCI Health Department to discuss working together to improve island recycling efforts. On World Population Day, the Green Team helped the Providenciales Red Cross conduct a clothing drive and on the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, senior citizens were invited to lunch at Beaches, which included an environmental presentation.

Realizing that children are the key to future change, Elder involves the local schools whenever possible. On TCI’s Literacy Day, Beaches staff talked about the environment with students at the Enid Capron Primary School and planned for this March is a repeat of the successful Clean-A-Thon with Clement Howell High School.

Young and old, Beaches guests are involved in Green Globe efforts, starting with their initial orientation to the property. Elder explains, “We created an environmental mascot, Lucky the egret, as a tool for offering pointers on how guests can help preserve her beautiful surroundings. We have room cards that encourage guests to conserve energy, water and detergent use by turning off lights and thinking twice about reusing linens and towels.” The response is overwhelmingly positive, he says, as increasing numbers of travelers value eco-conscious experiences.

To increase motivation among team members, Elder developed a Green Vision awards program, including selecting an Environmental Employee of the Month. He also plans a quiz show-like contest covering facts from the Green Vision handbook. Regular internal environmental and safety audits help nip problems in the bud.

Elder concludes, “All of our team members are proud of achieving Green Globe status because it enhances the image of both the resort and the Turks & Caicos Islands. We’ll continue to improve our performance and work to maintain the certification when the auditors return annually. We also look forward to sharing our knowledge with other interested parties so that the entire Turks & Caicos Islands remain beautiful by nature.”