NEWS AND NOTES
Blue Water Sailing
May 26, 2009
Sarasota Yacht Club Hosts Forum on Cuba Relations
This past Thursday evening, the Sarasota Yacht Club on the west coast of Florida, hosted a forum on Cuba Relations.
Taking advantage of what seems like thawing relations between the United States and Cuba, the Sarasota Yacht Club began a discussion on the necessary steps to rebuild nautical ties between the two nations.
The club has applied with the federal government through the OFAC (Office of Foreign Assets Control) for permission to compete in a sailing regatta off Cuba’s coast — something the club last did 15 years ago, before the U.S. prohibited virtually all travel to the island nation. The reception was attended by over 100 people including representatives from five other Yacht Clubs. Special Guest Speaker was Dr. Tim Ashby, an attorney with Sonnenschein Nath and Rosenthal, LLP in Miami and national expert on Cuban-American trade issues. Mr. Ashby discussed potential changes in U.S. policies toward Cuba, and how the club’s support for bi-national sailing competitions, education and marina development programs could lead to stronger ties between this region and Cuba. The discussion also covered the status of marina development in Cuba and the status of the Cuban Trade Embargo.
A former member of the US Senior Executive Service, Dr. Ashby served as Director of the office of Mexico and the Caribbean, and as acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of Commerce for the Western Hemisphere, US Commerce Department, International Trade Administration. He had direct line management and policy responsibility for US commercial relations with Latin America and the Caribbean, and, he was a member of the original NAFTA policy team. He believes that we will see a lifting of the travel ban for all Americans in the near future. That would certainly make it easier for yachtsmen and women to visit Cuba without the current need for a license.
Cuba’s sailing team has invited Sarasota Yacht Club (SYC) to participate in an offshore race near Havana, restoring a 70-year-old international tradition. Citing the Sarasota club’s distinguished nautical heritage, the Hemingway International Yacht Club (HIYC) in Havana extended an invitation for US boaters to compete in the Regatta Castillo del Morro, a 15-mile race from Marina Hemingway to the port of Havana and back.
The SYC sailing team, headed by Jay Meyer, recently applied to the US government for permission to participate in the June 6th Regatta Castillo del Morro.
Jose Escrich, Commodore of the Hemingway Club and vice president of the Cuban Sailing Federation, invited the Sarasota Yacht Club to be the official US host for a Florida Gulf Coast – Cuba offshore race, reviving a sporting event that began back in the 1930s. Citing the Sarasota club`s distinguished nautical heritage, the Hemingway International Yacht Club (HIYC) in Havana extended an invitation for U.S. boaters to compete in the Regatta Castillo del Morro, a 15-mile race from Marina Hemingway to the port of Havana and back. Mr. Escrich has been working hard to renew ties with South Florida sailors. The SYC recognized their commitment to the sport of sailing and reputation for supporting the sport and thus selected them to participate in the regatta and host the race.
“We realized we had to get to Cuba on our boats in order to race there, so why not race on our way to Cuba,” said Don Payzant, SYC fleet captain and board member. “We are hopeful that the new administration will support our efforts to reinstate this famous race.”
In an effort to create long term relationships between the island nation and sailing enthusiasts, they have created the "SYC Charitable Foundation". This new 501c3 corporation will, along with other charitable activities, sponsor the Sarasota-Havana Regatta on an annual basis.
"We hope that the SYC Charitable Foundation will raise $25,000 that we can put towards youth sailing programs both here and in Cuba," Mr. Payzant commented.
Currently there are still legal ways for sailors to visit Cuba. They would have to be part of a charitable effort or be a legitimate sporting event. The prospective Florida-Cuba race could fit both categories. In the meantime Dr. Ashby will examine the international significance of yacht club’s regatta plans. He is providing pro bono help to the club as to regulations set by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control.
The revived Sarasota to Havana Regatta is tentatively scheduled to start on May 16, 2010. For Regatta news and updates, go to: www.sarasotayachtclub.org/fw/main/Sarasota-to-Havana-Regatta-1808.html
For more information: www.sarasotayachtclub.org/fw/main/Welcome-20.html
