What has happened?

‘First, we want to tell everyone that we love Trinidad! We could write many pages of the wonderful aspects of Trinidad. Since 2000, we visited twice a year and always anchor at TTSA in Chaguaramas and had great times.

But today, we notice that Trinidad is losing its appeal among the boating community. Everywhere in the Caribbean, we have met complaining cruisers who are now skipping Trinidad as a destination. Our friends look astonished when we say nice words about Trinidad. WHAT HAS HAPPENED? Back in 2000, we were going south along the chain of islands and from cockpit to cockpit, the comments were suggesting for us to wait until Trinidad; a great place on the move. A great place for repairs, affordable prices, and businesses devoted to boaters, even if the workers were not yet fully experienced. In the winter of 2002, we sailed again along the chain of islands. What a contrast! A new song was being played. From cockpit to cockpit, the comments were suggesting that there is no advantage to go to Trinidad for repairs: Prices are higher. Better workshops at affordable prices could be found in other countries. The industry seemed less devoted to the cruisers in their attitude. The climate is too humid. Anchorages are not adequate and the water is ugly. What a radical change in perception and only two years later! We agree that there are fewer boats in the Caribbean, but it seems to us that Trinidad is losing an important share of the available market. We are astonished. Even the well renowned TTSA for its hospitality, is losing its reputation with cruisers feeling less welcome.

WHAT HAS HAPPENED to this fast growing Chaguaramas that now looks like a declining star? Trinidad has so much to offer in people, atmosphere, tours, events and choices of stores. Last fall, a general tendency among the boaters’ community was to be in Martinique for Christmas. Martinique is nice but there is nothing in that country related to the Christmas period. The only place in the whole Caribbean for a real ambience of Christmas is Trinidad. How come Trinidad does not promote a Christmas rendezvous? As an example, the free shuttle, organised last year by YSATT, was one of the best initiatives to protect the cruisers from harm. Cruisers are sensitive to the growing phenomenon of crime. No other country seemed even to care, yet how come so few acknowledged this positive action to protect the security of the cruisers? Moreover, Venezuela is unsafe in many locations, yet this year the marinas in Puerto La Cruz were full. By our count, over one hundred boats were anchored in Porlamar, Margarita. Yes, the prices are attractive and many boaters we talked to were absolutely not interested in Trinidad. We were deeply saddened! We observe this lack of appeal! In writing these observations, we do not want to blame or judge anybody. We only hope that Trinidad will wake up and do something to regain its appeal. We are only foreign boaters and visitors. We only wish to meet our returning friends here again, with pleasure, on their boats in this beautiful and active country.’ (This letter appeared in the July issue of Boca, a ysatt publication)