Blue Water Divers, British Virgin Islands

In 1977, Michael and Keith Royle were living in the Bahamas and working as commercial divers, when Mike was offered an opportunity to work as a dive instructor for Windjammer Cruises on its 310' sailship S/V Flying Cloud based in the British Virgin Islands. Mike accepted the offer and one year later acquired the diving concession aboard the ship. He asked Keith to join him and together they taught hundreds of passengers to dive. In the process they gained tremendous experience and knowledge of the local waters and islands. Life aboard the Flying Cloud was an adventure that introduced many future residents to the BVI, including Mike's wife Cheryl whom he met while she was a passenger. Mike and Cheryl now have a teenage daughter, Aja, who was born on the main island of Tortola and who will soon become certified.