Cuba Fears Invasion of US Yachtsmen
The rapprochement between the United States and Cuba could mean that tens of thousands of U.S. yachts could soon descend on the island, an influx for which the country's infrastructure is not prepared, Agence France-Presse reported. Cuban authorities believe that once U.S. President Barack Obama decides to hand down an executive order that will authorize private boats to sail to the Cuban Island, an influx of private American yachts and pleasure cruises would start arriving in the communist island. The U.S. embargo against the Communist nation, along with a 2004 executive order signed by then-President George W. Bush, currently prevent pleasure cruises from sailing from the United States to Cuba.
USCG Special Statement for Yachts, Somalia Piracy
The International Superyacht Society (ISS) received the following communication from CDR David G. McClellan, Chief, Prevention Operations Department, USCG Sector Miami. He has that this message be distributed to all mariners. This is critical information for persons either planning or knowing parties planning to sail in the area that transverses the seas off the Coast of Somalia in the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea South to the Mozambique Channel and East to the coast of India. Per CDR McClellan, Internet release is authorized. 1. ON 18 FEB 11, A U.S. REGISTERED SAILING VESSEL WITH 4 US CITIZENS ON BOARD WAS HIJACKED BY SOMALI PIRATES IN THE ARABIAN SEA, 282NM SE OF SUR, OMAN. DURING NEGOTIATIONS FOR RELEASE OF THE VESSEL, THE 4 US CITIZENS ONBOARD WERE KILLED.
