BusinessGrenada.com Issue: 5 2010 - 2011 | Page 129

Yachting enables painting, cleaning, and other repairs. As of 2009, Grenada’s haul out facilities can lift up to 70 tons or a 32’ max beam; which is equivalent to a yacht approximately 80 feet in length. “With the introduction of VAT MAYAG lobbied the government and the Chamber to make sure that the Marine sector here in Grenada are treated like the marine sectors in Antigua and Trinidad so as not to put Grenada at a disadvantage and ultimately the Government listened to us” says Anita Sutton President of MAYAG. So what’s in store for the future of yachting in the year 2050? MAYAG, which happens to be a very active industry association, has put together an action plan that it hope to realize in the not so distant future consisting of the following: 1. Develop and implement a Marketing Plan for Grenada’s Yachting Sector 2. Appoint a dedicated Yachting Representative at the Grenada Board of Tourism 3. Undertake an Economic Impact Study 4. Open a yacht clearance office in Tyrrel Bay, Carriacou 5. Improve clearance office procedures 6. Establish Grenada and St Vincent as a single yachting territory u 7. Adopt the eSeaClear™ system for yacht clearance 8. Amend the Yachting Act 2000 to facilitate more efficient importation of yacht parts and supplies, including bulk importation 9. Introduce a Yacht Security Policy for Grenada 10. Undertake an Education & Training Needs Assessment for the Grenada Yachting Industry 11. Ensure protection of the marine environment Justin Evans views the future in visionary terms…when asked about the yachting industry in 2050. “I hope that we don’t have to wait forty years to see change, I see the whole lagoon area and St. Georges as one combined yachting area, like a Mediterranean mooring of yachts all the way around the Carenage. Maintaining the traditional boat traffic; you find a way to do that maybe by moving the Port. The Carenage is this perfect little spot, no more car traffic, only pedestrian traffic with the ability to walk from Port Louis to Yacht Club to the Carenage lined with shops, restaurants and bars. I see the yachting sector services offering world class facilities and skill levels, certainly to rival the kind of facilities that you would find in places like Newport, Annapolis, Ft. Lauderdale, Mediterranean and England. Having our people up to that level and earning those types of wages. I see it being a greater integral part of Grenada’s economy than it even is now. Hopefully we will have a regatta the size of the Heineken in St. Maarten with 200 some odd boats, famous musicians playing at the parties and people coming here to race and party from all over the world. I hope we continue to grow in the direction we are going of making the industry better for all stakeholders and that ultimately means that all of Grenada will benefit I think that yachting is an important part of the Grenadian economy and it’s developed without a lot of handouts and it can continue to flourish in the right environment as long as everyone is on board. “ Official Port of Entry Customs Immigration & Health Office Open 7 Days a Week u u Duty Free Bunkering Available for Yachts Up to 200ft Length & 17 ft Draft Dock Spaces have Water & Electricity Buoyed Channel leading to the Dock Mini Mart and Laundry Yacht Services and Maintenance Internet Taxi & Tours Car Rental u u u u u u Prickly Bay Marina Restaurant Serving Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner Open Daily 7am - 11pm Available for Business Lunches or Outside Meetings overlooking Waterside Setting FOR BOOKINGS 1 473 439 5265 • INFO @PRICKLYBAYMARINA.COM • WWW.PRICKLYBAYMARINA.COM www.businessgrenada.com 129