Former businessman Brian Billings did not know what had hit him when a month after he purchased the charter yacht Bright Star, last year's devastating Hurricane Fabian ripped across the Island and effectively put him out of business.

The well-known financial services executive told that last year ? after thirty years in the banking sector ? he made the decision to trade in his briefcase for a life on the waves.

With a view to running his own charter business, the avid sailor (he claimed the boating bug bit him as a boy) leased yacht from its then owner David Ashton and later bought the vessel outright on July 31, 2003.

But Fabian's onslaught of Bermuda on September 5, 2003, tore the boat from its moorings and left it battered, but still floating, against a nearby dock. Initial hopes of repairing the damage were nixed by an insurance appraisal which gave the of the cost of putting the boat right a thumbs down.

Mr. Billings said that although the boat was still afloat after the storm, and there had been little internal damage, fixing the hull was too formidable a cost to underwrite.

Not one to be torn from a dream so early, however, Mr. Billings set out to find a replacement yacht, and found what he was seeking in New Bedford, Massachusetts.

With hindsight, Mr. Billings might say, the real ordeal started there.

He was forced to wait almost two months on the weather before he could bring the boat over to Bermuda.

Mr. Billings and two professional crew members had intended to take possession of the plush 56-foot yacht last November, but found it dry docked and covered in ice.

Although painting of the boat's bottom had been scheduled in time for their departure, the boatyard had not yet been able to put the yacht ? now named Bright Star II ? overboard after chilly conditions meant the paint would not dry.

The three crew were forced to wait in New Bedford and did not get the clear to sail from Commanders' Weather Corp. ? a forecasting company that advises sailors on weather conditions ? until January 15.

Mr. Billings, laughing about the experience, said he and the two sailors got to know each other pretty well, living on the yacht during the wait, which fortunately is fully air conditioned including reverse cycle heating.

When it came time to sail, the trio had to move quickly as the bay in New Bedford was already starting to freeze over. Although weather conditions were still not great, orders were to get away from the area and head south.

Hopes were to go to Cape May, New Jersey and head off from there but the sailors must have felt like they were braving the unknown in 20 degrees below zero weather. By late afternoon, Mr. Billings said seas were "kicking up" and waves washing up on board were freezing as soon as they hit the deck.

By morning, he said there was solid ice from bow to cockpit. With the deck being "like an ice skating rink" the crew were forced to hole up in the cockpit during watch periods under sleeping blankets and with minimal warmth from a portable heater.

In the end, the weather meant they had to go back to shore off Atlantic City, although this too proved to be a poor refuge with that city getting its coldest day in 100 years. A week later, Commanders' Weather told the sailors they should take to the sea again, but they would have to be quick.

Mr. Billings said they were told there was a very tight window between two storms. "The company said 'we have not seen a window (of time) since you got up here. This is a small window between two storms...'," he said.

Bright Star II set off again but smooth sailing it was not with 25-foot seas and winds gusting up to 40 knots. A gale also developed along their intended route, and the weather service once again told them to head south, this time to the coastal waters off Norfolk, Virginia.

When they got there they were given another "small window" and after three days at sea finally made it home.

Mr. Billings said the wind was at their back all the way until they hit Island waters, and remembered some "great rides" in the Gulf Stream with "11.3 knots in head speed alone".

Now safe and sound in Bermuda waters, Mr. Billings is busy taking the boat out on private charter trips ? he has already taken out six groups in the month or so that he has been back.

The yacht, which sleeps six, is available for half-day and day trips, as well as overnight excursions through Mr. Billing's company Oyster Point Yacht Charters Ltd.

So far, Mr. Billings has seen most of his business from corporate clients who have taken advantage of the catered day trips with a choice of breakfast, lunch and dinner menus from the Little Venice group.

Complete with swimming dock, on deck dining table and well-appointed (and air conditioned) quarters below, Mr. Billings said Bright Star II was perfect for both group and couple getaways.

There are two bathrooms (and showers) on board, a galley complete with freezer, refrigerator, stove and microwave ? even a satellite phone, weather fax, television and VCR player.

Having already endured some rough patches in sailing the boat over to Bermuda, Mr. Billings can say with certainty that even in treacherous conditions, the boat is a "pretty smooth" ride below deck.

"The yacht is 16 feet deep. Under full sail you tend to not even have to worry about spilling your wine," he said. The boat is also fully insured should another bad storm strike.