February 12, 2010
Foretelling the future of recreational yachting in Cuba through its past, the commodore of Marina Hemingway in Havana, José Miguel Diaz Escrich, spoke to about 100 people at the Eden Roc in Miami Beach last night.
Talking with an interpreter, Escrich presented images beginning with sepia-toned shots of Club Nautico in 1884 through to aerial shots of marinas today, and explained how Cuba is making progress n its effort to get recreational boating back to how it used to be in his country.
"The sea that caresses the coast of Cuba is the same sea that separates us now," Escrich said. But in his current role as president of one of Cuba's two tourist groups and Cuba's "goodwill ambassador," he said that division is going to shrink.
"We are nearing a turning point," he said.
Cuba had a vibrant and international recreational yachting and fishing industry until all the clubs were closed in 1960.
After a career in the cuban Navy, Escrich served as advisor to Cuba's nautical tourism group and suggested the creation of a yacht club. In 1992, Marina Hemingway opened. On the first day, the club had 28 members from 10 countries; a year later, it had 150 members from 23 countries.
Currently, there are more than 1,600 members from 45 countries. Marina Hemingway has relationships with 600 yacht clubs as far away as Monaco.
"After 18 years, we have had problems and misunderstandings, but we have persisted," he said. "Seven months ago I was asked to lead nautical activities in Cuban clubs to help with regattas, tournaments, diving and activities."
Through images of regattas and fishing tournaments before the 1960s, Escrich reminded the crowd how Cuba was host to such events as the Tampa-to-Havana Regatta and several major billfish tournaments.
A 1950s black-and-white photograph showed Club Nautico as a new type of club, built long and thin, "just enough for a pier and a bar to welcome the entire world," he said. American author and international adventurer Ernest Hemingway is included among the founders of the club, he said.
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Cuba
Gee Gee - you are absolutely correct and I for one support your comments and your hopes for Cuba. Jan Saxton
I'm going to Mex and
I'm going to Mex and Guatemala (possibly Belize, too) to do some archaeological research, but than I will have some 4-6 weeks of free time. I wonder if it's possible to get to Cuba from, let's say, somewhere at Quintana Roo's coast by ferry or boat? If not from Mex, maybe from Belize or Guatemala or Honduras? Would it be cheaper than traveling by plane? When I reach Qiuintana Roo, I don't want to go back to Guatemala City or anywhere to catch a plane... I've red about Cuban custom officers requiring showing them your return ticket, but in case of a boat trip I wouldn't have any, would I? Has any of you tryed it before? Please, share the knowledge
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testking ccnp
An entertaining thread
An entertaining thread, with more than a few misconceptions - I travelled the north coast of Cuba out of the Ragged Islands last year as far as Varadero. The posters who have noted the restrictions and difficulties of boat travel there are quite correct. Add to that the near impossibility of getting supplies - in Guillermo, for instance, the nearest 'grocery' store is 50 miles distant. At Puerto de Vita, it's just a mere 15 miles. You need to come prepared. Cuba is not the east coast of the US, nor even the most difficult of the Bahamian Out Islands.
It is possible to anchor overnight in Cuba - I did numerous times - as long as you report to the Guarda. And when that isn't possible when there's no Guarda post nearby, as does happen, particularly on the southern coast in the cays, there is no problem.
You cannot leave your boat unoccupied to go exploring unless it is at a marina or close by a Guarda post where it can be watched. That won't be a problem for most yachts here, although it is of course a problem for cruisers on small boats such as myself, without crew. However, most of the marinas are not suitable for maxi yachts. Guillermo has an entrance bar of about five feet, and that's in flat calm water. Even if a larger boat could get in, there are no facilities (washrooms, showers for example) available. 50 amp power? You're kidding me, right?
In fact, the only two marinas that will see any real change when the embargo is lifted will be Hemingway and Marina Acua, in Varadero - they are close to the US, able to handle larger vessels, plus have access to facilities and supplies that yachties will need. Other marinas, even larger ones, are simply too much trouble for most boaters to bother with.
As for the US recognizing Cuba, I had hopes of seeing that occur in 2010 or 11 - however, the situation with Alan Gross, the American arrested in December 09 for allegedly spying, has put paid to that happening. The death of dissident Zapata doesn't help either.
The Bahamas is safe as a cruising ground for the foreseeable future. If you're interested in learning more about Cuba, you can check out my article in the November 09 SAIL magazine, or get a copy of my Annapolis Boat Show seminar, at www.thesailingchannel.tv
I'd be happy to answer any questions on the subject of cruising Cuba for this audience.
Wally Moran
Cuba boating
GEE GEE.........
It's great to read your thoughts on Cuba travel and involvement in the marine industry. I remember when you were trying to recruit other boaters to go Cuba(myself included)for a gathering with commodore Escrich. The owners of the boat I was running liked the idea ,but, I could not take the boat there because I was born in Cuba. If you were born in Cuba you must have a cuban mariners certificate in order to enter cuban waters. They don't care if you have citizenship in another country, you were born in Cuba and that's that. I know this to be true because the owner of my vessel asked me to fly there(Iwas docked at Lyford Cay) and check out the hotels in Habana for a future trip for him and his wife and friends at Christmas. I went to a local travel agent in Nassau and paid for a visa(2 small perforated stickers). That, and my american passport, got me into Cuba(they took one sticker on the way in and the other on the way out) without ever stamping my passport. I stayed at the Hemingway Marina for a week. Yes, the hotel is rundown,but the pool was great and I met commodore Escrich. He was very personable and we spoke at length about the entry of a cuban born person navigating in and out of cuban waters. You can be born anywhere in the world and be a captain of a boat entering cuban waters........but........NOT if you were born in Cuba. By the way.........the visa I aquired in Nassau.............was at that time(5 years ago) 15.00 for everybody EXCEPT cubans. Cubans had to pay 115.00. Funny how that works..................
I still remember the day we met at Horsefeathers in Lake Worth where you were putting on a presentation. You were very excited abouth the Sea Tow franchise and you still retain the same passion.
All the best GEE GEE!
Freedom to Travel to Cuba for all and to Educate.
GeeGee Morgan: Sea Tow // Sea Spill Cuba says:
Replied: to Ole Anderson. Feb. 20, 2010
Thank you for all the information and your thoughts. I appreciate them all.
I am very aware that any Cuban born in Cuba must enter Cuba with a Cuban Passport can’t enter by boat. I also know that I as an American born, living in America as you are, can’t go to Cuba by Plane or Boat without a Government license giving me permission. Many of my Cuban friends go over every month and take THOUSANDS of dollars to Cuba, not to mention the many, many Cuban Americans living here that have businesses over in Cuba, through other countries and partners. I think (you might not like my thoughts and that is o.k.) that I should have the same ‘RIGHTS, FREEDOM TO TRAVEL.
A run down country, yes you are right, and the docks are now very under maintained. So are a lot here in the good USA and Bahamas. I am not saying these things don’t happen. But heck, I have friends that get hi-jacked in the Bahamas and pirates have taken over their boats. I have a 40 foot Sea Ray and have had worse trouble with the Bahamas than Cuba. Fees check ins, check outs, no parts, outrageous cost of water, water in the gas, phone cost, docking and theft on the boats, etc.
My point was that “I believe in this great country, we all have a Constitutional right." That is not to be divided up in class, race (Spanish) travel rights, or religions. I have been to Cuba many, many times, by Yachts, by plane, by small boats. I guess I had the luck of the draw 22 times. I had no bad experiences.
As I said, it is not the politics that interest neither me nor my 15 year commercial interest in boating in Cuba. I am a boater my husband is a Captain….. I am patient and with a boater’s heart, I LOVE BOATING every where. I am a born Floridian and my family have been boating the whole 62 years of my life.
I have traveled all over the world and we don’t what to get me started on all the injustices of other country, WE the USA do business with yes, even the other Communist, BUT turn our heads to Genocidal, Child Sex Houses( ran by these Governments), Women beaten, raped and killed for no good reason. We have our price for looking the other way if it is financially good for the USA.
It interest me that, Unknown replies, Cuba is a form of social/economic Apartheid and only the inner circle of Socialist leaders stand to make any money from the Commercialization of Yachting in Cuban waters, how can you be a part of this?
My comment, How can I not? Why should we not be a voice and make a change here and in Cuba? Has it worked in 35 years? I suggest you take a look at Washington, Bank Mangers, World Banks, Health Care/ Insurance companies, Pharmaceuticals and tell me who is making the money here! Most hard working Americans have lost their life savings, good health care is unheard of, many families lost their homes, working 3-4 jobs IF you can find one and you speak of an inner circle? What country are you living in? Buy the way if that is your issue, who is making money when the airlines fry direct to Cuba from Miami, Ft. Lauderdale? Why should it be any different for the Boating and Yachting World?
Capt. Brian said: Flying into Cuban airspace did not work well for "Brothers to the rescue." True and it would not work here in the USA. You can’t invade countries airspace or ours with out repercussions.
It might be 5 more years, but in the mean time what “POSITIVE THINGS, lectures, conversations AND EXCHANGES CAN WE DO NOW TO MAKE THAT DIFFERENCE.”
Florida has a lot to gain and will lose if there is not awareness of the waters, marina clean up, pump out stations, oil spills, trash disposals’. It all comes to Florida shores.
It is my vision to try to make that difference. Not one person can do it alone. Florida is a boating State. Enough voices can make a difference.
I am dreamer with vision and guts, who loves the romance of the sea, salt in my hair and the nights on the dock with you the boater/ Capt chatting about the one that didn’t get away.
I am not a writer, but I try.
Thank you for listening,
Respectively,
GeeGee Morgan
Future Sea Tow\\ Sea Spill Cuba
reply to Gee Gee Morgan
You should be aware that any Cuban born in Cuba must enter Cuba with a Cuban Passport- No matter if they are a US Citizen holding a US Passport. Cuba will not recognize it, and will not let them enter by boat. They must enter on a commercial flight Only. Also a fact that the Commodore probably left out in his little chat- Marina Hemingway is a shadow of its former self, having been converted for the most part into a Cataract surgical facility for caribbean islanders. You can not go to the pool, and everything has become even more dilapidated than usual. It is actually kind of Spooky with all these people wandering around with eye patches. It is a good thing that they do, but I wonder if a supposedly International Marina and port of entrance is the place to do it? The Sepsa guards on the Docks will not let you leave your boat without inspecting any bags or parcels you are carrying. You are not permitted to have Cuban visitors aboard, or even alongside your boat unless you have a signed employment contract for them to work on your specific boat. You will pay the Government for this service, and the actual day worker will receive a small portion. Most skippers augment this pittance paid by the Gov't. . Make sure you have a good surge protector on your shore power connections- you will need it as brownouts and fluctuations upward as well are quite common. Have good filtration on your fuel supply because petroleum products are suspect at the Marina. Don't be allergic to dogs, as they will be on your boat at every docking and undocking. In short, Cuba has a Great distance to travel before it becomes a palatible cruising ground for most of us. Sincerely, Ole Anderson
Cuba yachting
Anyone supposing that Cuba is going to supplant the Bahamas as a cruising center is sadly mistaken. First problem encountered- you must sign out at every port and sign in again at the next approved port. No stopping overnight at any interesting anchorage you might encounter along the way. All travel by yachts is tightly controlled and monitored. It is kind of like what you would imagine cruising in East Germany would have been during the cold war, if East Germany had an ocean- not conducive to carefree cruising. Further hindering the process is the recent ramping up of Repression and jailing of dissidents in Cuba. Such actions are not likely to persuade the Obama Administration to relax further the concessions already granted Cuba. So it will be a long wait for your Sea Tow business in Cuba. I have a story I could tell you that makes me wish there had been a Sea Tow boat in Cuba several years back. Maybe later- suffice it to say that the Maritime Laws in effect Internationally concerning mariners in peril Do Not apply in Cuba- you are on your own, so Good Luck if you go.
Yachting Cuba
Why I agree Cuba could give the Bahamas a run for our money, but due to the fact the country is still a Communist dictatorship country only if President Obama won a "Third Term".
I do not see this happening within the 5 years the Commodore indicated or hoped. In addition one of the Cays that was shown a slid showing an indicating a private airport, flying into Cuban airspace did not work well for "Brothers to the rescue". For a American to visit Cuba currently can cost us 50k in fines.
I my option it will be a long time until we begin cruising into "Hemingway International Yacht Club" !
Captain Brian
Cuba an Aparthied Society
Gee Gee, While it's obvious you have a vested interest in the commercial aspects of future Yachting in Cuba you must have seen in your travels the complete separation between the people of Cuba and the Government there. It's a form of socio/economic Aparthied and only the inner circle of Socialist leaders stand to make any money from the Commercialization of Yachting in Cuban waters. How can you encourage other people to participate in this ?? I think you've been talking to the wrong people.
Freedom to Travel to Cuba / Commadore Escrich
Americans can travel to Cuba legally if you are a Cuban American, politician, and journalist or if you have a research project regarding Cuba. Others including students, religious groups, and humanitarians can apply for a license from the U.S. Treasury Department Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). Cuban Americans have been given the right to travel to Cuba and spent $3,000 each time they go, BUT we have an Embargo? Free people shouldn't have to have a license to travel! I believe that the freedom to travel in times of peace is a constitutional right! I am born an American and if I read the Constitution correct it prohibits the federal government from depriving any person of life, liberty, or property without due process of law. Why should I have to fight for equality and my human rights to travel to Cuba like any Cuban American? I am American and I can’t go? The new change in the law is un-Constitutional and discriminates.
I have been going to Cuba since1995. I have had to jump thru the loops and get all kinds of permits, questions, licenses, and logos of proof to go to Cuba. I have lectured on the Marine environment and Oil spills, help with the Bridges of Music to Cuba, gone for humanitarian reasons. I have taken many people to help the people and support the one love I have … The Sea and Boating. The people are wonderful and I always look forward to my next adventure to Cuba.
Commodore Escrich has always been helpful and has visions of seeing Cuba once again the huge attraction for boaters, regattas, and fishing. You could hear it in his voice and see it in his eyes at the event. This is a man that has not let politics stop his love for yachting and has single handedly tried to keep his Yacht Club and marinas open for all people who want to come and enjoy his country.
I believe that Cuba will give the Bahamas a run for their money. This is not about political issues or opinions on who is right or wrong. Boating and traveling to Cuba is about the enjoyment of the sea, country, its people and a culture that is different than ours. I want to make my own opinions and judgments not my government doing it for me. That is what makes our world a wonderful place to live with all its differences. Why must we keep trying to make them more North American? Let’s respect and enjoy their culture as we want them to respect ours.
My desires and love for boating has led me to be unreasonable and unstoppable in my quest for the freedom of boaters to go to Cuba. I am pushing forward to bring the 90 miles of water between Florida and Cuba together in Peace.
GeeGee Morgan
President of the future Sea Tow//Sea Spill of Cuba
“Your Boat Towing Service in Cuba “