This is the question on everyone’s mind these days.\u00a0 Well, at least those who cruise the Caribbean in the winter season.<\/p>\n
“What will cruising look like and if I go, will I be able to get home in the spring?”<\/p>\n
As port officer for the Salty Dawg Rally to Antigua, I am focused on what the arrival in Antigua will look like and perhaps more importantly, what will the rest of the season bring for cruisers wishing to visit other islands in the Leeward and Windward island chains.\u00a0 Here’s the fleet last fall in English Harbor.\u00a0 Hope to see this scene again soon. ![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.sailpandora.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/IMG_3894.jpg\")
But, it’s complicated.\u00a0 Last week the government of Antigua renewed a state of emergency which is to remain in place through the end of October.\u00a0 \u00a0For practical purposes, this allows them to put curfews on place and add additional restrictions as needed.<\/p>\n
That’s probably the right thing to do as nobody really knows what will happen over the winter with tourists coming and going from the islands, perhaps bringing infections to islands with very limited resources for dealing with patients who fall to the virus.\u00a0 Having said that, Antigua has been quite effective in controlling outbreaks and aside from an occasional “imported” case arriving by airline.\u00a0 I understand that there have been no community outbreaks for some time now.\u00a0 \u00a0They have been particularly effective in keeping infections under control as anyone who test positive is put into mandatory quarantine in government controlled and monitored hotels, a sort of modern day leper colony.\u00a0 That’s a good incentive to follow guidelines and stay safe.<\/p>\n
That approach has been quite effective but would never work here in the US with our preoccupation with personal choice.\u00a0 \u00a0Quite simply, they have to be aggressive as they just don’t have the medical infrastructure to deal with a major outbreak.<\/p>\n
And speaking of outbreaks, it’s scary to imagine what things will be like here in the US this fall when temperatures begin to drop.\u00a0 Sheltering at home for even a few months last winter was an eternity and now we are facing months of restrictions in the northern states as outdoor activities are sharply restricted bu the cold.\u00a0 Heck, it’s been bad enough in the south this summer where it’s warm.\u00a0 Get a grip on our mask, you’re going to need it.<\/p>\n
One of the issues that caused so much concern to cruisers, including us, last winter when the islands closed down so abruptly, was what to do with boats when skippers were unable to get crew to help run their boats home.\u00a0 \u00a0 Many made a beeline for Grenada at the first sign of trouble only to find that island closed and flights canceled and\u00a0Trinidad, long the go-to place for summer storage, is still closed with no clear plan as to when boats will be able to head there.<\/p>\n
The Salty Dawg Sailing Association is working hard to figure out exactly how to manage things for this November’s rally to Antigua, when so much is still unclear.<\/p>\n
What will the season bring and will we face the same problems that cruisers encountered last spring when suddenly when most islands closed and crew could not get to the islands to help bring boats home?<\/p>\n
One issue that we all faced last spring was really not knowing about places to keep our boats for the summer season that were “safe” and how to purchase\u00a0 insurance coverage to ensure our boats when they were left in the “zone” during the height of the season.<\/p>\n
I was on the phone last week with several of my contacts in Antigua, including the Antigua Slipway, a small working yard in English Harbor.\u00a0 The Slipway is working on a plan to address the issue of safe storage and insurance for those that opt not to make the run home to the US and need a safe place to leave their boat for the summer.<\/p>\n
One thing that the Slipway has going for them is that they are located inside English Harbor, a natural “hurricane hole” with relatively high hills all around, a sort of protected bowl, perhaps the most protected harbor in the Caribbean.\u00a0 The relative safety of English Harbor is one reason that the English Royal Navy used the harbor year round and I guess had pretty good luck keeping their ships safe there.![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.sailpandora.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/slipway-angtigua-5.jpg\")
I will say, from personal observation, the yard, as small as it is, looks pretty safe when compared to other yards in Antigua and the other islands, that are more exposed to the winds.<\/p>\n
Events have always been a key part of the rally and one of the key issues that we will have to work around is the need to keep a proper “social distance” from one another and to find a way to celebrate our arrival without violating the 25 person gathering rule.\u00a0 That may prove to be a bit of a challenge as so much of the experience is making friends and spending time together.\u00a0 At least these events will be outside which seems to be a LOT safer than congregating indoors.\u00a0 \u00a0I long for the days of fun arrival events like our arrival dinner.\u00a0 \u00a0This shot, from last fall, looks responsible to me.![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.sailpandora.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/IMG_1469.jpg\")
How about a “responsible” tot of rum?\u00a0 We’d have to stand a bit farther apart nowadays.\u00a0![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.sailpandora.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/IMG_1458a.jpg\")
Or, a dingy drift that’s safe?\u00a0 I’ll want to be upwind from the group. ![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.sailpandora.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/IMG_7166.jpg\")
A group shot?\u00a0 Perhaps a smaller group, spaced out.\u00a0 Not sure how to do that, actually. ![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.sailpandora.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/IMG_1473.jpg\")
So, there you have it.\u00a0 Plenty to think about and with a few more months left before many will make a final decision on where they want to be this winter.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.sailpandora.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/Feb-snow.jpg\")
I’ll take this any day.\u00a0 Or at least during happy hour…![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.sailpandora.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/IMG_5173.jpg\")
Of course, all of this will be just so much easier once there is a vaccine.<\/p>\n