Southwinds Sailing June 2004 - Southwinds Magazine

LETTERS“Freedom of the press is limited to those who own one.”H.L. MenckenIn its continuing endeavor to share its press, SOUTHWINDSinvites readers to write in with experiences & opinions.CHANGES IN THE CUBA SAILING SCENEYou may have already heard about this new marina in Cuba. Itis in a very useful location, though it wasn’t open when wewere in the area last in February, 2003.We have found many changes (mostly for the better) onthe south coast of Cuba since the Calder and Simon cruisingguides were published—Cubanacan and Gaviota are takingup the slack left by PuertoSol at several marinas, includingMarina Siguanea on Isla de Juventud, Cayo Largo andCasilda/Trinidad.Some charterboat companies have found fertile groundhere, too: SunSail has a bunch of cats and monohulls at Casilda,a Canadian guy is starting up at Cayo Largo, and Patten Yachtsis at Cienfuegos. There is a hefty $10/day/person tax on charterers,though time will tell how well these businesses fare.The challenges to this type of tourist business are pretty bigright now, including the prohibition on Russian citizens beingon any private boats in Cuba. (Seems some Russians chartereda boat and took it to Florida to defect!)Since 2002, the port of Cabo Cruz is now closed to foreignboats. We were allowed to anchor near the entrance to theharbor and even to dinghy around a bit but were not givenpermission to go ashore. The village is for fishermen and militarypersonnel only. Too bad—it looks pretty, and the lighthousewas touted to be a nice climb.Fair winds,Elena Pimientos/v Habanero IIIElena,Ah! What Cuba must be like for those who can go. But it is good tohear about changes in the island’s sailing and cruising communityjust to whet our appetite. Thanks for doing that. Hopefully, we won’tbe punished for thinking about spending our money.For those who have not heard, it was recently reported that atthe end of 2003 the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) had 21fulltime agents working Cuba violations and just four fulltime workershunting Bin Laden’s and Saddam’s riches. That’s an interestingallocation of funds.EditorPETER GOLDSMITH SPEAKS THE TRUTH ABOUT U.S.GOVERNMENT’S ACTIONS IN CUBA RACEThank you, thank you, for publishing the news and lettersconcerning the U.S./Cuba relations and the Conch Republicfiasco.I have traveled to Cuba with my fellow sailors in theConch Republic Cup race. I’ve seen firsthand the thousandsof dollars worth of medical and humanitarian aid the sailorsbrought with them for the people of Cuba.The “Grand Jury” investigation, currently ongoing in KeyWest, speaks to what is wrong with our present leadership inWashington today.Thank you, Rebecca Burg, for helping to spread the truth.I was there; I saw it all. Peter Goldsmith is telling the truth10See LETTERS continued on page 13June 2004 SOUTHWINDS www.southwindssailing.com