Marine Industries meet in St. Lucia
The Marine Industries Association of St. Lucia (MIASL) held its 2nd Annual General Meeting on Sat. Aug 19th 2006. Founded in 2004 by a group of yachting enthusiasts, to become, among other things, the voice of the yachting sector in St. Lucia, the MIASL has doubled its membership to 70 since its inauguration in April 2005.
Significant achievements during its first year included the establishment of the website www.miasl.org; securing funding for the preparation of a strategic plan for the yachting sector; working with local Marine Police Unit and US Coast Guard to establish a voluntary maritime search and rescue unit; working with local law enforcement agencies on maritime safety and security; and the co-launching of the Caribbean Marine Association—St. Lucia holds the presidency.
St. Maarten Marine Trades Association’s third annual St. Maarten Charter Yacht Exhibition is December 2nd – 5th 2006
This industry-only show is held at Port de Plaisance Resort and is closed to the general public but brings together the most exclusive charter yachts in the world, qualified charter agents, sponsors and media. In addition to attending yachts and agents, SCYE is open to companies providing services to the charter yacht industry. Companies may register for the show either as Exhibiting or Non-Exhibiting Vendors. The SMMTA is a not for profit organization and non-expensed proceeds from this event go to the Marine Trades Association Educational Fund.
For more information: Tel: 599 544 2436, Email: [email protected], or Website: www.scye.com
Maxi-yachts for the mini-experienced
St. Maarten offers the 12 Metre Challenge, with up to four “regattas” a day for wanna-be yachtsmen aboard America’s Cup vessels like Stars & Stripes 86. A Caribbean touristic adventure was just announced for maxi-yacht racing in Barbados, too, on Athina and Martella, 80-foot yachts that sailed in the 1989 Whitbread Round the World Race. Each sail will begin with a training session with captain and crew before guests take up positions; here’s that chance to be a tactician, grinder, foredeck, or trimmer aboard a world-class racing yacht —if only for three hours.
Marina pending for St. John, USVI
Plans for a proposed 116-slip Coral Bay Marina have been in the permit and public hearing stages this summer concerning the development of a 1.5-acre site. The Coral Bay Marina LLC application for a Coastal Zone Management permit calls for four buildings, three main docks with finger piers, a fuel dock, pump-out facility, and desalinization plant. In mid-August, the St. John Coastal Zone Management Committee approved the developer’s permit request pending submission of a lengthy list of studies. At the hearings, residents, including boaters, expressed concerns about the project’s location, environmental impact, and design.
They’re spending money up north: Marine Distributors Report Increased 2006 Sales
Sixty-eight percent of US and Canadian marine distributors, representing sales of over US $500 million, say their sales volume increased in 2006 compared to 2005, according to the annual State of the Industry Survey conducted by the National Marine Distributors Association (NMDA).
Of the 22 NMDA distributor members responding to the association’s survey, seventy-three percent say they expect sales to be up in 2007 compared to 2006.
"While there is some weakness in boat sales and some uncertainties in the economy, clearly marine distributors think there is quite a bit of strength in the accessories market," said NMDA President Mike Medart. No word yet on how much we’ve all spent on our boats during the past year down here.
