Trinidad and Tobago - A Heaven For The Hurricane Season: Well-Protected Yachting Facilities In The Caribbean
Among serious Caribbean sailors, the word being heard more frequently each time hurricane season is discussed is Trinidad. Not the paint, not the Carnival (though that is one of the best reasons to go there), but the island itself, as a safe and insurable haven from what the marine insurance companies refer to as "named windstorms".
From an insurance point of view, cruising the Caribbean can be an expensive business for the average sailor. Hurricane season poses it’s own special problems in terms of large deductibles and additional premiums to cover wind damage. But the powers that be in the marine insurance trade have handed a worthwhile option, and some peace of mind, to long term cruisers, as well as what is undoubtedly a boost to the yachting industry in Trinidad. They have done this by stipulating that normal policy provisions will apply to boats located south of 12’40’N during hurricane season.
Based on an analysis of storm tracks going back many years, this southern boundary of the maximum risk zone, the "hurricane belt," was decided in late 1995. The north limit of the box is 35’ N, which runs between Cape Hatteras and Cape Lookout, North Carolina, and the eastern limit is 55'’. Latitude 12'’0'’ runs through the Grenadines just south of Canouan Island. This leaves the Tobago Cays, Union and Carriacou islands, and Grenada itself, outside the hurricane belt.
It is a fact that there are now far more boats in the Caribbean than can safely be sheltered in the traditional hurricane holes --- the natural harbours that provide some protection from the worst of the seas, if not the winds, generated by these storms. These havens have, if anything bee rendered hazardous by the increased traffic. One has only to look at the disasters that occurred in the lagoon in St Maarten in 1995, and Culebra some years previously, to see what overcrowding and a false sense of security can do during a direct hit, or even a near miss.
So what does Trinidad have to offer?
Trinidad has traditionally remained a bit off the beaten path for sailors cruising in the Caribbean, who tend to think of Grenada as the last stop on the Southward track. But the island is a mere 80 miles south of Grenada and has some beautiful anchorages around its shores and neighbouring small islands. In Chaguaramas Bay, in the Northwest corner of the island, there is a veritable mother lode of well-protected yachting facilities, with services the equal of any to be found in the Caribbean.
The sister island of Tobago, 20 miles to the Northeast of Trinidad at its closest point, is about 60 miles to windward of the yachting centers of Chaguaramas. Though quiet, beautiful, and a diving and wildlife treat with its many unique species, Tobago has some spectacular anchorages but no real protection in stormy conditions.
But it’s the hauling and storage facilities of Chaguaramas that are the real story for anyone who wants to repair their yacht and leave it safe and sound for weeks or months at a time. Realizing the economic potential of the hurricane belts limits, the government of Trinidad and Tobago has simplified it’s entry and clearance procedures to encourage more yachts to visit. It is no longer necessary, for instance, to go to Port of Spain to complete formalities. There are Customs offices in Scarborough, Tobago, one in Chaguaramas itself, as well as the one in Port of Spain. However, if you arrive at one island and plan to leave from the other, you have to make that known to the authorities.
The government also created the Chaguaramas Development Authority to plan and oversee the expansion and development of the Chaguaramas peninsula, including the yachting facilities. Much has been accomplished, and certain development, like the increased storage space at Peake Yacht Services and Power Boat Mutual Facilities Ltd and CrewsInn. A feasibility study for similar expansion of Carenage Bay is in the works.
One other major force in making Trinidad an attractive place for yachtsmen to come has been YSATT, the Yacht Services Association of Trinidad and Tobago. Begun by Donald Stollmeyer of Power Boats, YSATT has raised the level of services to be found in the island. It has provided a link with the government, which is a major factor in smoothing the way for various enabling laws to be passed, resolving issues to the benefit of both the country and the industry. Composed of a variety of local businesses YSATT, in addition to having some political clout, is also dedicated to educating and training Trinidadians for positions in the yachting and hospitality industries.
Chaguaramas is home to a number of Marine Businesses, including four large shipyards with many acres of land- storage facilities:
Power Boats has a 50 ton marine hoist and storage space on land for 160 boats. They are a full service yard and among other things have phone and fax services, stern to dockage for 22 boats and have self-contained apartments for rent. Also you may check The Trinidad and Tobago Powerboat Association (TTPBA), Where you find the TTPBA boats, The TTPBA Rules, The TTPBA events.
Peake, a full service yard, has a 150-ton Travelift, 12 acres of storage, under cover spray shop, chandlery and yacht and charter brokerage. They also have The Bight a restaurant and bar and a ten room seafront hotel.
Industrial Marine Services (IMS) is a full service yard with a 70-ton Travelift 90,000 sq. ft of concrete work platform, open air restaurant and sail loft. They can store 120 yachts.
CrewsInn is a 66slip marina and hotel complex. They have a four-acre boatyard with a 200 metric ton Travelift a 60-ton crane, shipwright building, shopping and a restaurant. The hotel is under construction.
Also in the vicinity, Yacht Services Association of Trinidad and Tobago (YSATT), is a small private club which will rent moorings to foreign yachts and has a limited amount of space available on shore for yacht storage. They have a 15-ton Travelift which can haul boats with a maximum length of 45 feet and beam of 15 feet.
A few miles down the road towards Port of Spain is the Trinidad and Tobago Yacht Club (TTYC) also a private club, which has slips available but no out-haul facility. There are moorings and slips available at Fantasy island, on Gasperee Island, three quarters of a mile to the south of the main facilities.
There are certain formalities to be gone through when storing a yacht, but nothing intimidating. The yard provides the papers and the owner/captain gets them stamped by the Customs officer in Chaguaramas. The papers have to be presented on the owner or captain’s return. Local, good quality teak is available in Trinidad at prices considerably lower then elsewhere, a fact which should encourage those in need of new planking, rails or cabinetry on their boats to visit.
Trinidad and Tobago is a fun and friendly place with a reputation for holding the best Carnival anywhere. It was here that the steel band music was invented (a side benefit of the oil industry) and legend has it that when Columbus discovered Trinidad he stumbled into a big party. In addition to revelry, or perhaps a s a logical extension of it, the TTYA hold the Tobago Carnival Regatta (Previously known as the Angostura Yachting World Regatta) in Tobago in the middle of May, an event which, like its counterparts in Antigua and St. Maarten, is sure to grow by popularity as the years go by.
If you're visiting the islands, be sure to get a copy of the Cruising Guide to Trinidad and Tobago, which provides excellent sketch charts and aerial photographs of the anchorages. The book is also full of useful information about the island's flora and fauna, and all the details that make a cruise, a stay and a haul-out easier and more enjoyable.
Trinidad and Tobago, try it for a change.
CrewsInn Hotel & Yachting Centre (CrewsInn Marina & Boatyard)
Point Gourde, Chaguaramas,
Trinidad, West Indies
Mailing address: P.O. Bag 518, C/O Carenage Post Office, Trinidad, West Indies
Tel: (868) 634-4384 / 5
Fax: (868) 634-4542 / 4175
Email: inqu...@crewsinn.com
http://www.crewsinn.com/
Fantasy Island
Gasparee Island
Trinidad W.I.
Phone (868) 622 6285
Sweetwater Marina (Formerly Humming Bird Marine)
100 berths. Water, electricity, telephone, restaurant.
#2 Stella Maris Drive, Western Main Road, Chaguaramas
Tel:(868) 634 2773, Fax:(868) 634 4046, VHF Channel 68
swee...@tstt.net.tt
http://sweetwatermarinatt.com/index.html
Industrial Marine Services (IMS) Yacht Services
irst Avenue South, Chaguaramas, Trinidad W.I.
Phone (868) 625-2104 / 5,
Fax (868) 634-4329
Email: i...@imsyacht.com
http://www.imsyacht.com/
Peake Yacht Services
Lot#5, Western Main road, Chaguaramas Bay
Phone: 868-634-4420/27
Fax: 868-634-4387
Email: m...@peakeyachts.com
http://www.peakeyachts.com/
Power Boat Mutual Facilities Ltd
PO Box: 3163, Carenage, Chaguaramas Bay, Trinidad W.I.
Tel: (868) 634-4303
Fax: (868) 634-4327
Email: pbm...@powerboats.co.tt
http://powerboats.co.tt/
Tropical Marine Ltd., Trinidad
30 in-water berths, water, electricity, office services, retail shops, fibreglass material, fibreglass repair, diving equipment, tools, wind generators, restaurant.
Address: Western Main Road, Chaguaramas, Trinidad
Tel:(868) 634 4502/4453, Fax:(868) 634 4502/4453
Email: trop...@hotmail.com
YSATT, the Yacht Services Association of Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago Game Fishing Association
59 Pinewood Drive, Goodwood Gardens,
Diego Martin, Trinidad and Tobago - West Indies
Phone/Fax: (868) 632-6608
Email: i...@ttgfa.com
Website: http://www.ttgfa.com
The Du Maurier Great Race (Now Carib Beer Great Race) - an annual offshore contest
TTSA Youth Sailing Academy - Optimist Sailing
Surfing Association of Trinidad & Tobago
Keith Lewis, President
c/o 92 Edward Street
Port of Spain
Trinidad, West Indies
Tel: (868) 625 6463
E-mail: surf...@gmail.com
The Surfing Association of Trinidad and Tobago website: http://surfingtt.blogspot.com/
Windsurfing Association of Trinidad & Tobago
32 Dundonald Street
Port-of-Spain
Trinidad & Tobago
Tel: (+1-868) 628-890, 868 628 8908, 868 680 3916
Association of Tobago Dive Operators
P.O. Box 402, Scarborough, Tobago
Tel: (868) 639-8729/4416
Fax: (868) 639-4416
E-mail: amdt...@trinidad.net
Website: www.tobagoscubadiving.com
Trinidad & Tobago Sailing Association (TTSA)
These moorings are located approx. 8nm east of Chaguaramas. The Association has a great number of moorings for locals and visitors, however the mooring area is not patrolled at night and there have been some thefts reported here. Moorings (up to 15 tonnes) are available on a first come, first served basis and are inspected quarterly by a qualified diver. Full service haul-out yard, 15-ton marine hoist, moorings, bar and snack bar, office services, laundry, repair shed, water, ice, anchorage. They have a total of 16 races and each race day is sponsored by a different company/person. Within these we have three Memorial Races, as well as General Handicap Races, when all types of boats can take part……
Address: P.O. Box 3140, Carenage Post Office, Trinidad, West Indies
Tel:(868) 634-4210, Fax: (868) 634-4376, VHF Channel 68
Email: sets...@ttsailing.org , Sailing School Email: yout...@ttsailing.org
http://www.ttsailing.org/
Tourism Development Company Limited (TDC)
- A state enterprise of the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, mandated to develop and market Trinidad and Tobago's tourism product and improve the local tourism sector. For those interested in the potential for investment in the marine (and other) businesses of Trinidad, there exists the Tourism Development Company Limited (TDC) is very helpful and will be happy to provide information about the yachting industry. They can be reached at:
Address: Level 1, Maritime Centre, # 29 Tenth Avenue, Barataria,
Republic of Trinidad and Tobago
Phone: Maritime Centre: (868) 675 7034-7, Piarco International Airport Office: (868) 669 5196/6044, (868) 800-4TNT
Fax Numbers: Public Affairs: (868) 638 7962, Legal and Corporate Services: (868) 638 3560, Tourism: (868) 675 7432, Marketing: (868) 675 7338, Piarco International Airport Office: (868) 669 6045.
Email: i...@tdc.co.tt
Official Website: http://www.tdc.co.tt/