Minutes of AGM 2009 - Antigua Nice Ltd.

A.B.M.A.
English Harbour
Antigua & Barbuda
West Indies
Tel: 268 562-5085
Fax: 268 460 1123
E-mail: info@ABMA.ag
MINUTES of Annual General Meeting,
Monday 19 th January 2009, 1800hrs (6.00pm), Antigua Yacht Club
WELCOME ADDRESS:
The President, John J. Duffy, opened the meeting by welcoming all those in
attendance, and went on to outline the evening’s Agenda.
MINUTES OF LAST AGM:
It was proposed and agreed that the Minutes of the last AGM be accepted.
The President advised that anyone desirous of viewing the Minutes visit the ABMA
website where Minutes of all the previous AGM’s, and Executive Meetings have
been posted.
SUMMARY OF ACTIVITY 2008:
In 2007 the ABMA successfully established itself as the main lobbying organisation
for the yachting industry achieving recognition from the Government and the Ministry
of Tourism in particular of the importance of yachting to the economy of Antigua &
Barbuda. Consistent pressure from my predecessors together constant badgering by
George Clarke and Ivor Jackson’s Eclac report caused the Government to realize the
value of the yachting industry which contributes anything up to one third of Antigua’s
GDP.
Much of 2008 proved to be a consolidation of the work done in 2007. It is often asked
what the ABMA does for its members and businesses. The President stated 2008
proved that without the ABMA many obstructions to trade within the yachting sector
would have gone unresolved. It is easy to point to major achievements such as the
permanent suspension of APIS. Throughout the year the ABMA had been working
with the CMA to ensure that APIS was not re-introduced. This work culminated in a
meeting in St. Lucia which The President attended where, eventually, the JRCC and

IMPACS acknowledged that APIS would damage the yachting industry and an
alternative method would be required to collect the information they required.
ID CARDS
The year commenced more or less where the previous year had ended with the new
Identity Cards for dock workers. By January 1 st only a relatively small number of
cards had been issued but by March virtually all bone fide dock workers had applied
for and received their ID cards with the notable exception of Jolly harbour which does
not seem to have taken the scheme on board.
ABMA OFFICE
For some time the ABMA had been in negotiation with John Meade for a piece of
land on which to erect a permanent office. Unfortunately, John Meade died before
negotiations were complete and discussions had to start again with the beneficiaries. I
am happy to report that these were finally completed on 10 th January this year and the
ABMA is in the process of finally moving to a permanent location in a prime position
on Dockyard Drive. The greater accessibility of the ABMA offices to both its
members, the members of the public and, most important, our yachting visitors will
enable the ABMA to provide an enhanced service to all.
UPDATED ECLAC REPORT
Towards the end of 2007 Ivor Jackson offered to update his Eclac report on the
yachting industry in Antigua. It was hoped that this would be completed during 2008
but due to the complexity of the report, the difficulty in meeting with all the private
and public sector officials and other commitments, Ivor is doing this report for us free
and in his spare time, the report is not yet quite complete. For those who have read
Ivors contribution to the 2001 Eclac report you will know that it put yachting in
Antigua on the map. We are hopeful that this update will cause the contribution the
yachting industry makes to the economy to finally receive the full recognition it
deserves.
ED FORMS
E/D Forms became a really contentious issue during 2008. Initially, the ABMA
endeavoured to overcome some of the problems by supplying E/D Forms direct to the
marinas which saved skippers having to collect them from Customs and Immigration
then returning to their yachts for completion. Ultimately, the ABMA was lobby for
their discontinuance. In due course, Immigration accepted that a simplified form of
crew list would be acceptable, however, Customs refused to dispense with E/D
Forms. It is to be hoped that with a change of Comptroller negotiations can
recommence and something similar to the form acceptable to Immigration will also be
acceptable to Customs. The Immigration forms are available to be down loaded from
the ABMA website.
WORK PERMITS
Following a request from a yacht to import specific qualified labour for a refit and
comments by a ABMA member regarding Work Permits, the ABMA obtained a letter
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from the Minister of Labour clarifying the position in respect of the issuing of Work
Permits. It was established that where specialized labour was required an application
could be submitted in advance of the arrival of the individual and Immigration would
be advised accordingly. It was also established that Work Permits could be issued for
any period up to a year.
SOCIAL EVENTS
In March the ABMA held a Beach Cricket Day both as a fund raiser and to create
greater awareness of the ABMA. Richie Richardson and Curtly Ambrose attended and
helped to make the day a success. Whilst the idea of the event was mainly to heighten
the awareness of the ABMA it also added a contribution of around EC$5,000 to the
ABMA’s coffers. The format is to be repeated on 8 th February.
WEBSITE
For some time the ABMA had felt its website needed updating with more facilities
and making it more user friendly. Several quotes were sought and the contract let to
Antigua Nice. The new website went on line in August.
INTERNATIONAL LINKS
The ABMA has and continues to work to protect and promote the industry. Their
efforts are recognized by the Ministry of Tourism and many other agencies of
Government. Many of the achievements to date would not have materialized without
the input of the ABMA and the other organizations The ABMA is a functioning
member of the Caribbean Marine Association (CMA). The CMA has and continues to
be a critical component to the development of the regions yachting Industry.
COMMUNITY ASSITANCE
In June the ABMA assisted with the Apple medical fund when Gay Nichols had to
leave the island. Following the fund raising for both Apple and the two burns victims,
the ABMA considered setting up a permanent fund for emergency medical cases
however, it was determined that the complexities of such a fund were beyond the
capacity of the ABMA.
YACHTING LIAISON OFFICER
At the end of August, Nigel Benjamin retired as the Ministry of Tourisms Yachting
Liaison Officer. The Executive would like to thank Nigel for all this work on behalf
of the ABMA. In December, his replacement, Gerry Daniel, was appointed and it is
hoped that the same good working relationship can be developed with Gerry as we
had with Nigel. Already Gerry has been thrown in at the deep end with the problems
we have been encountering with the clearance of yachts containers. Early indications
are that the new Comptroller of Customs will take a more reasonable view to the
importation of yachts containers.
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ADMINISTATIVE SUPPORT
During 2007, the ABMAs secretary was off work for several weeks at a time due to
illness and a temporary secretary, Helen Aaron, was employed to fill the gap and in
due course, when it was apparent the Administrative Secretary was not going to
return, Helen was asked to continue to hold the fort. Helen has great enthusiasm and
good personal skills but, as she will acknowledge, is no great with the computer. To
that end we have employed Eggy for a few hours a week to assist.
LIAISON WITH CRUISE SECTOR
Liaison with the Cruise Tourism Association increased substantially during the year
with the President and others from the tourism sector receiving several invitations to
attend functions on cruise ships. It had been hoped that the ABMA could reciprocate
and obtain invitations to the Cruise Tourism Association and other persons within the
tourism industry to visit yachts during the Charter Yacht Show. Unfortunately, the
ACYM felt it would conflict with the interests of the yachts and brokers and no tour
was arranged. It is hoped, with more advanced planning, that something can be
arranged for 2009.
DOCK WORKERS
As a direct result of the I/D Cards and work on behalf of the ABMA by Helen Aaron,
the dock workers have now forming their own association which will be an associate
organisation to the ABMA. Their President, Stephen Samuel, has joined the ABMA
Executive.
MEMBERSHIP
During the course of the year membership has increased slightly but there are still far
too many individuals and businesses who obtain the benefits of the work done by the
ABMA whilst making no contribution. The ABMA relies on membership
subscriptions and revenue from the Directory to fund itself. The work the ABMA can
do is restricted by the amount of funding it receives. As an example, all trips to other
island to attend essential meetings have been funded by private donation with the
exception of one trip which was paid for by the ABMA. My thanks to those who do
pay their subscriptions but we would ask you to encourage your friends and
neighbours to do the same.
The President had started by saying it is often asked what the ABMA does for you.
The answer is that without the ABMA you would still be struggling, individually,
with many of the problems encountered by the yachting industry and, as a result,
many yachts may have crossed Antigua off their visiting list to the detriment of
everyone. That said, the ABMA needs you as much as you need us and The President
encouraged the membership to not only persuade their friends and neighbours to join
but also to use the services the ABMA can provide. If you don’t tell the ABMA your
problems we can’t do anything about them. The old adage, ‘United we are strong,
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divided we fall’ could not be more true. If we want the Government to continue to
recognize our value we need strength through membership. If we want the rest of
Antigua to realize that the yachting industry is not something that occurs on the south
end of the island run by a few white people for rich yachties then we need to get our
voice heard. In fact, there are far more black people dependent upon the yachting
industry than white but that’s not the perception. We need to change that perception
and gain the recognition throughout Antigua of the value of the yachting industry to
all the peoples of Antigua.
Finally, The President stated he would like to thank the Executive for all the support
they had given him in the past year and to name them all for their contributions but he
haa already spoken for far too long therefore just like to extend a special thanks to
Helen Cools-Lartigue who he called his ‘prop. He claimed she kept him on the
straight and narrow and whenever he came up with a crazy idea she picks out the little
bit of sense and chucked away the rubbish. Helen always had a sound opinion on
everything.
FINANCIAL REPORT:
As the Treasurer had been forced to resign in December 2008, the President presented
the accounts showed a net income for 2008 of EC$22,363.72 as opposed to a net loss
for 2007 of EC$6,516.77. The profit came from a combination of cost cutting and
increased revenue. In the absence of a Treasurer, the President stated that the
ABMA’s book keeper, Lindsay Duffy, was available to answer questions.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS:
A Committee comprising Stan Pearson and George Clarke had sought nominations
for Directors of the ABMA. Of the previous Executive Nigel Benjamin, Franklynn
Braithwaite, Karen Campbell, Helen Cools-Lartigue, Jonathan Cornelius, John Duffy,
Tracy Guerrero, Festus Isaac, Judith Michailiuk and Ashley Rhodes had agreed to
continue to serve.
In addition Charmaine George, Canter de Jager and Stephen Samuel had agreed to
join the Executive.
There being no nominations from the floor, the nominations were proposed and
accepted
OPEN FORUM:
Arougoo Adams asked what was the ABMA policy on new businesses coming to
Antigua which would compete with existing businesses He was advised that it was a
difficult balance. New businesses which brought additional employment to Antigua
were to be encouraged but, at the same time, it was felt that new businesses should not
cause others to suffer to the detriment of the yachting industry and the community as
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a whole.. Arougoo Adams was concerned that some new businesses might drive out
existing ones. Comments from the floor indicated that competition was a good thing.
Geoffrey Pidduck suggested that a regular Newsletter to members would be
preferable to all the e-mails being sent out. The Executive agreed to look at the
proposal but felt it might be difficult with limited resources.
The Executive were asked if there were likely to be any improvements in Customs
since the change of Comptroller. It was already evident that things had eased and the
new Comptroller was being more flexible.
Opinions were expressed that the Executive should be putting a greater effort into
recruiting more members. It was pointed out that the ABMA now has a Membership
Secretary and that recent changes to the administrative staff would enable the ABMA
to go on a recruitment drive.
As Jolly harbour is well separated from English Harbour/Falmouth, it was suggested
that Jolly Harbour should become a sub-division of the ABMA and that the whole
Executive should meet occasionally in Jolly Harbour. The Executive agreed to
discuss this with representatives from Jolly Harbour however, when the Executive had
met in Jolly Harbour only a few of the Executive were able to get to the meeting due
to the distance and work commitments.
The Executive was asked to post the new Immigration forms on the website. The
President pointed out that it had been done that very day.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business
DATE OF NEXT AGM
The Constitution provides for the Executive to set the date of the next AGM but to be
no later than 15 months from the previous AGM.
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