In August 2002, as a result of the diligent efforts of the Antigua Marine Trades Association, the Antigua & Barbuda Ministry of Tourism appointed Mr. Andy McDonald to the position of Yachting Liaison Officer. Mr. McDonald's main function is to facilitate communications between the Antigua Government and the Marine Trades regarding yachting concerns.
Demonstrating its support for the yachting industry, the government responded quickly by passing legislation to expedite the customs clearance of imports and shipments as well as duty-free fuel for yachts. Further legislation is presently pending to improve immigration procedures and establish duty free provisioning for yachts.
(More details are available on the Antigua Marine Trades Association website: www.antiguamarinetrades.org). In addition a program is currently underway to have all reefs and anchorages in Antigua and Barbuda marked with buoys by the end of 2003. The new buoys marking the entrance to and the channels in Falmouth Harbour are now in place.
Newport's prime yachting season begins just as Antigua's draws to a close, usually opening with the Newport Charter Yacht Show in June, which welcomes the charter yachts back from Antigua and other Caribbean islands, as well as Florida. In even years, the Newport Charter Show is soon followed by the start of the famous Newport to Bermuda Race, as it will again in June 2004.
(The 2003 race starts from Marion, MA, as it does in alternate years.) Thereafter follows an endless summer of wonderful sailing events including the prestigious New York Yacht Club Cruise and the Newport Bucket. Newport's summer season winds down with the Classic Yacht Regatta over Labor Day weekend. The Newport International Boat Show and concurrently running Newport Yacht Brokerage Show, held in mid-September (this year, September 11-14) brings another end of sorts to Newport's summer yachting season.
Departing yachts make final preparations for their passages south -- and the cycle repeats itself. Don't expect to see all boats gone from Newport and surrounding waters. Autumn is considered an alluring time for sailing. Hearty New England sailors, garbed in fleece and foul weather gear, continue to sail and participate in the later fall regattas and races. The brisk Block Island Bucket is scheduled this year for October 18th.
Sugar production continued to be a significant contributor to Antigua's economy until the early 1970's. While the days of the sugar plantations are a bygone era, there are still many farms in Antigua growing tropical fruits, vegetables, raising goats and cattle, as well as fishermen. The fresh produce & seafood can be purchased in open-air markets throughout the island. The past quarter century, however, has seen tourism take over as the major contributor to the country's economy.
While most of Aquidneck Island's fertile, productive farmlands have now been turned into housing developments, there are today a number of working farms still in operation whose fresh produce can be purchased at local Farmer's Markets. Fishing along with lobster and shellfish have always been a part of Newport's culture, however for most of the 20th century the economy of Aquidneck Island heavily relied on the US Navy base that employed a large number of local civilians and utilized local goods and services. In the 1930's the America's Cup races came to Newport, Rhode Island introducing yachting to the region.
Aquidneck Island today offers world-renowned shipyards and yacht builders as well as a myriad of state of the art yacht services. Indeed both islands today rely on tourism as major contributors to their current economies with hotels and cruise ships being significant factors. However, recent reports estimate that yachts visiting Newport and the Narragansett Bay area contribute a staggering $200 million annually to the region's economy.