Written By Gabreila Patram
THE yachting industry in Guyana is gaining momentum as the second flotilla of nine yachts anchored in Guyana’s waters a few days ago, and more than 25 yachts have arrived here within the last two months.
This fleet of vessels follows closely on the waves of the just-concluded Nereid’s Rally when another seven yachts sailed into the Essequibo River in early September, as they made their way from Trinidad and Tobago to French Guiana, as part of the rally.
Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister(ag) Irfaan Ali, has noted that the steady influx of yachts augurs well for the development of the niche industry in Guyana, and will undoubtedly pave the way for investments in the development of the necessary infrastructure to support yachting.
The vessels arrived a few days ago and made their way to Bartica, 30 miles from the mouth of the Essequibo and at the centre of the confluence of three great rivers, the Mazaruni, Cuyuni and Essequibo. This is an official port of entry and welcomes the arrival of cruisers. They then anchored off Baganara Island Resort.
The seamless entry of the vessels into Guyana is being facilitated through an inter-agency collaboration with the Coast Guard, Customs and Immigration, the Guyana Police Force, Maritime Administration and other private sector stakeholders; and this joint approach being employed is in keeping with Ali’s commitment to ensure that all systems are in place to make the yachting industry a success.
Close to 20 persons are on board the nine yachts that are now in Guyana, and it is expected that the vessels will stay anchored in the Essequibo for another few weeks while the visitors engage in sight-seeing. Among the yachts are Nirvana, Liahona, Capicse, Persephone, Eileen of Avoca, Hope, Wild Matilda, Impressionist and Out of Africa.
The Baganara and Hurakabra Resorts, in particular, now cater to receive cruisers anchored close offshore. These resorts are exceptionally beautiful nature destinations which offer exceedingly comfortable and well appointed accommodation, jungle walks, birding, beach-front dining, well stocked bars, recreation facilities, water sports and dingy docking.
Guyana is now becoming known as a safe haven for yachts, and cruisers may now sail up the Essequibo River to clear customs, immigration and health authorities within an hour of checking in by completing the simplest of customs clearance forms to be found at any cruising destination in the Caribbean and South America.
[highlight]PULL QUOTE: The steady influx of yachts augurs well for the development of the niche industry in Guyana, and will undoubtedly pave the way for investments in the development of the necessary infrastructure to support yachting – Minister Irfaan Ali[/highlight]