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oaters must complete a one-time registration with their
local customs office. This must be accomplished by every
crew member on the boat. Sailors who complete this registration
will get a registration number and should be able to
bypass the personal appearance on their return.
For information on this program call (800) 432-1216 or
(800) 451-0393. Keep in mind, there is no room for last
minute crew substitutions if you are planning to use this
procedure.
(SOUTHWINDS printed more information on this procedure
in the December 2006 issue, page 22, in “Short Tacks.”
Available online at www.southwindsmagazine.com).
Gulf Yachting Association Winter
Meeting, Mobile, AL, Jan. 6-7
By Kim Kaminski
On January 6-7, the Gulf Yachting Association held its annual
winter meeting in Mobile, AL.
Each January, the organization meets with newly elected
board members and officers of the GYA yacht clubs.
Items discussed for the upcoming year are executive committee
meetings, race management, offshore council, onedesign
council, US Sailing championship committee, trophy
committee and, of course, the schedule committee, which
will schedule upcoming events for the year using input
from the 33 member clubs.
On January 5, as a prelude to the winter meeting, the
GYA and US Sailing race sponsored a race management
seminar instructed by Jim Tichenor, senior race officer and
Walter Chamberlain, senior judge. The seminar was
designed for those with some race management experience
and provides an opportunity for the newly elected fleet captains
of the Gulf Coast yacht clubs to become certified in
race management.
Also held was the US Sailing (sponsored by Mount Gay
Rum) speakers series with noted special guest speaker, Dick
Rose, an international certified judge, who presented the
“U.S. Sailing Rules Seminar.” Mr. Rose wants to help with
the re-growth of sailing in the northern Gulf Coast region.
He donated all of his fees from his seminar program in support
of the GYA Foundation to the junior and college sailing
programs in the area.
The official awards presentation was also held for the
previous year’s GYA member winners whose accomplishments
earned them special recognition. For instance, the
Pensacola Yacht Club earned the GYA Race Management
Award for hosting the 2006 Challenge Cup Regatta.
For more information on the meeting, special awards
and the upcoming 2007 race schedule, go to www.gya.org.
The awards group at the East Sailing Annual Awards. Photo by
Roy Laughlin.
sailing events in Brevard County and draws membership
from throughout central Florida. Each January, members
meet at their annual awards banquet to socialize and recognize
member accomplishments during the previous year.
The range of ECSA-sponsored activities is broad.
Membership is divided into three primary sections: racing,
cruising and women’s sailing. The 2006 award list was both
notable and long. Awards included a special citation for
Gerry Moores for his service as race committee in so many
regattas over the years (see story on Erben Award this section).
ECSA also honored Joe Coleman for his decade of
continuous service as an officer of the ECSA.
For more information, go to the East Coast Sailing
Association Web site, www.ecsasail.com.
East Coast Sailing Annual Awards
Highlight Sailing Prowess of
Florida’s Sailors
By Roy Laughlin
The East Coast Sailing Association (ECSA) is associated
directly or through reciprocal membership with most of the
News & Views for Southern Sailors SOUTHWINDS February 2007 49