[dropcap]F[/dropcap]rom all accounts this year’s Flotilla which commemorates and coincides with the start of the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC) which officially got underway Sunday from Las Palmas, de Gran Canaria, lacked the enthusiasm and fanfare from previous years. In fact one media colleague said “it was the worst ever.”
As far as numbers it certainly was with participation (depending on who you spoke to) being just under 30. Absent this time around were boats and catamarans associated with St Lucia Distillers, Heineken and Digicel. Very few sea worthy vessels were decorated. However, there was a dude dressed up as Spiderman, climbing way up to the mast of a sail boat while another entry “Respect,” had a stuffed Santa Claus on board along with three ladies and two gentleman wearing the traditional Santa red woolen cap.
There was no horn blast (if there was very few heard it) used in previous years to indicate the start of the flotilla which began around 12:30 pm. It was a smooth start, however, a small boat did require some assistance.
Minister of Tourism Dominic Fedee along several VIP’s were on board “Lucky Strike” that accompanied the flotilla from the Castries Harbor to the IGY Rodney Bay Marina.
Just before the flotilla reached its destination, Fedee accompanied by Chief Communications Officer at the St Lucia Tourism Authority, Clinton Reynolds, came on board the media boat “Free Willy where he engaged the press.
“Today really commemorates the start of the 2018 Atlantic Rally for Cruisers,” said the Minister. “I think we have about 1500 crew members that are coming several boats that have signed up to be here. And of course we have a long line of events that are part of the entertainment and reception for the ARC sailors.”
Fedee is head over the heels with the growth of the ARC and by extension the yachting industry. He said: “This is happening at a time when the yachting numbers are showing some very good signs. We have about a 40 percent increase in our arrivals in the yachting sector so it’s a very buoyant performance. It shows there are about 23,000 arrivals a year to date to September and I think this is very encouraging. So it is really a good time.”
During a question and answer session, it was pointed out that this was one of the poorest flotillas when it came to the response from the public and business sector. What led to the noticeable decrease in participation?
Fedee was lost for words: “I am not really sure,” he said. “I have not really dealt deep into those situations. I think sponsorship perhaps is more difficult to come by and that’s always the case in tough economic times. So I am not really sure what the reason is, but I think that should not really pour cold water on the fact that we have an increase number of people coming, an increase number of vessels and events St Lucia and the Tourism Authority are going to have in their usual fashion the kind of buoyant activity all across the island. We are very much excited about what’s taking place. We are looking forward to hosting them and I believe as well that the economic spinoffs are going to be just as good. People are still excited to come and to sail to St Lucia. This is the 29th year we are doing this and it really speaks to the strength of that partnership with the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers and I think it is really a positive thing.”
Meanwhile all systems were go following the start of the 33rd ARC from Las Palmas de Canaria with 165 yachts (eight boats delayed departure), sailing under the flags of 36 nations.
It was reported that unusually for an ARC start, the wind this year off Las Palmas was from due north, giving boats the option of starting on either port or starboard gybes. The fleet is head to St Lucia, specifically the IGY Rodney Bay Marina roughly 2700 nautical miles away.
