Virginia and the Virgin Islands’ close relationship began at the beginning — of Virginia, that is. A bronze plaque in the U.S. Virgin Islands’ capital Charlotte Amalie records that the Jamestown settlers’ first “New World” stop was in St. Thomas where the trade winds and prevailing currents took people sailing from the “Old World.” One hundred and fourteen Englishmen landed there in April, 1607 to recuperate for three days before following the Gulf Stream north to Virginia to found their settlement on the James River on May 14, 1607. Today, many Virginians own homes and vacation in those islands, once known as the Danish West Indies. I divide my time between Virginia and the U.S. Virgin Island of St. John. Virgin Islands National Park is spread over two-thirds of that relatively undeveloped, mountainous island. In recent years, however, real estate development has posed a recurring threat to environmentally sensitive lands on St. John bordering the Park. Now, pristine Coral Bay and its unique sailing community are threatened by a proposed mega-yacht marina and associated luxury commercial and residential development on-shore. In a Caribbean Sea increasingly dominated by cruise ships, mega-yachts and boats and facilities catering to them, the residents of one unspoiled US Virgin Island harbor stand tall as a main mast for traditional sea and conservation values generation after generation. Since the early 1970s, live aboard sailors in St. John’s Coral Harbor have helped preserve the unique character of the sleepy historic village surrounding the 18th century Moravian Mission founded during Danish colonial days. Although small restaurants and bars serve sailors and tourists alike, Coral Harbor businesses continue to share the land with wandering sheep and playful semi-wild donkeys loved by residents and visitors. Right off-shore, a handful of live aboard sailboat families continue to help shape St….