Caribbean Compass Yachting Magazine - December 2017

DECEMBER 2017 CARIBBEAN COMPASS PAGE 18
— Continued from previous page
This is the first of many initiatives to make the shipyard an environmentally sound
workspace. Plans are also set in motion to have vegetable gardens, chickens, and
activities to inspire residents to have a clean, green, fun experience. As if tree house
offices weren’t enough. Guimond explained, “A holistic and sustainable health aspect
will be implemented — beauty combined with functionality, design infused with
subtle energies. Common shipyards and factories have the sole purpose of being
Above: An artist’s rendition
of the shipyard
Left: Taking advantage of
a bulldozer for a day, the team
moved deck beams and frames
Lower right: Familiar to many
in the Windward Islands,
Tres Hombres provided
cargo-sailing inspiration
designed and built for production. The absence of beauty in design, the negative
effects of machinery, and poor lighting and air quality, have time and time again
proven to be detrimental to the working class. We hope to prove that designing and
creating a simple, healthy, and creative work environment resonates closely with its
natural surroundings, that the act of creating will be happily supplemented with
education and growth. We hope that our model will provide fertile ground for inspiration
and ambition, necessities for pleasant long-term building projects.’’
Furthermore, Ceiba Marítima aims to develop a self-sustaining, thriving organism
with a foundation in community. The vision is to create a prosperous regenerative
model that meets the ecological, ethical, and economic requirements of our rapidly
changing world. We’ve seen the ecological and ethical side, so let’s break down the
numbers on the monetary side. Say you’re not so much into the Earth. You prefer
profits over ozone. Why is something like this worth all the time and effort?
First off, Ceiba Marítima will be shipping high-quality products that actually gain
value by this mode of transport. Market research has found that people are willing
to pay more for a product that has been transported in an environmentally friendly
way. To start, Ceiba will be sailing the PAX line twice a year. The route begins on the
west coast of Costa Rica, goes out to Hawaii, across to Canada, down the western
seaboard of the US and Mexico and back to Costa Rica. “Although Ceiba could carry
any type of cargo, our focus is primarily on eco-ethical items, such as organic coffee
and cacao. This is also the first of many routes.
“Our next project is to have an entire fleet sailing shorter inter-island routes all
throughout the Caribbean. This is already in the works — and can happen tomorrow
— once we find the right partners,” Doggett added. Local and sustainably made rum,
chocolate, soap, aloe and fruit products, and small-island logistics are going to be
the future of the SailCargo line.
The group estimates that revenue generated from cargo will account for about 84
percent of income, while trainees will provide about 16 percent. Fifty-four percent of
gross income is projected to return to shareholders via dividends.
This business is truly an investment in environmental stewardship. We must be
mindful that our purchases have a direct impact on the earth. We may be saving $5
by buying a product made in Asia, but getting that product to our doorstep is driving
an industry that cares little about its environmental impact. The best solution is
investing in local businesses and people who are passionate not only about their
product, but about the wellbeing of the land and sea they live on.
The key to avoiding a bleak future is by investing in a green one. Being an actively
aware consumer is one way to be part of the movement towards a better world. (Let’s
keep our Leeward and Windward Islands above sea level!) Ceiba Marítima is still taking
on investors to become shareholders in the company. Ceiba offers apprenticeships,
internships, and is partnering with universities in Central America, North
America and Europe. Of course, they will be looking for skilled crew as well. The
instructors provide hands-on learning in wooden shipbuilding and small boat construction,
traditional rigging, blacksmithing, fine woodwork, and sailmaking. Doggett,
who is also an advisor for the
Caribbean Sail Training
Association, has worked on boats
since she was 14 years old. She
and the crew are excited to share
their knowledge with all friends
and students of Ceiba. In fact,
the team won an award for their
sustainability planning and were
invited to speak at the UN Climate
Change Conference (COP23) in
Bonn, Germany, just last month.
For more information and
updates, visit www.sailcargo.org
or www.facebook.com/sailcargo.