The last days of August 1993, Vemasca (Venezuelan Marine Supply) opened its doors in Porlamar, Isla Margarita, Venezuela. Back then, the number of sailboats cruising Venezuelan waters was increasing fast and Margarita was the only island in the Caribbean with no marine chandlery available.
The company soon added a series of services including a one step check-in or check-out process. Cruisers would stay for longer periods of time as a water delivery system was also put in place. A dinghy dock with a watchman was built just across the street.
A little restaurant was set in the premises. Laundry, book swap, mail drop were available to all visitors.
Since day one, Carlos “ CHARLIE” Adam, a fluent English, German, Spanish speaking salesman, was always available to help the cruisers understand and enjoy the Island and the country he loved.
Along these years, there has been change of governments, change of political orientation, severe exchange control, Charlie passed away, the store had to move to a new location, Margarita slowly disappeared from the list of cruising destination in the Caribbean but Vemasca is yet steaming ahead.
Nowadays, 20 years later, the very existence of the company, as a boat sailing in very rough seas, is due to my daughter, Ritchie Laesker, who inexplicably is able to see the light in the horizon.
Denis Laesker
Co-founder
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 opened its doors in Porlamar, Isla Margarita, Venezuela){kind=link}