Caribbean Sailing Agents of Change
In our special March 2020 Silver Jubilee issue, we asked readers, “Who are the top 25 agents of change in the Caribbean sailing scene — people who have made a positive difference? We’re taking a poll to find out who those in the sailing community think are the 25 most influential people in all facets of Caribbean sailing — cruising, racing, the yacht service industry, writing, youth sailing development, environmentalism, whatever floats your boat! Nominate your picks (any number up to 25) and tell us why you think they have made a positive difference in the Caribbean sailing scene.” Here are your picks!
july 2020
CARIBBEAN COMPAss
pAGE 18
Jesse James One person stood out for receiving the most numerous responses by far. Not for heroic sailing feats or historic accomplishments, but for welcoming cruisers to his island with genuine warmth, personal attention and enthusiasm, and for selflessly giving his time and efforts to support his homeland’s yacht-service industry. Ladies and gentlemen, we give you our top-nominated Agent of Change, Jesse James of Trinidad. Among the kudos Jesse received, this is representative: “We would like to nominate Jesse James. Jesse is a HUGE advocate for the cruising community and the love of his country. He makes sure that the yachting community has anything and everything they need, including tours of the country so that all can see the beauty that Trinidad has to offer, which is a lot. Even with the hardships that Trinidad has faced in the past, and now possibly the future, Jesse makes sure that the sailing community and his own family community are taken care of during this pandemic. He is keeping cruisers informed on updates of pandemic and also taking up donations for the individuals who are not as fortunate as some others here on the island. Thank you Jesse!”
Don Street Changed things by writing the first real cruising guides to the Eastern Caribbean decades ago. But he’s kept up with the times and many of his writings, including invaluable hurricane experience and advice, can be found on his recently updated website (www.street-iolaire.com). ‘Don Street’s writing over the years has been a boon to the cruising community.’
“You have got to hand it to ‘Squeaky’: his cruising guides, Imray Iolaire charts, books such as The Ocean Sailing Yacht, and a plethora of articles over the years have been a big boon to the cruising community. I particularly like his route planning articles for passages between the Lesser Antilles and the East Coast of the USA, spring and fall. You can glean much useful info from his books and I always find them entertaining — Don is an old salt who tells stories that you have to take with a grain of salt!”
Trinidad’s treasured cruising advocate Jesse James, with his wife Sharon Rose Congratulations, Jesse James! Also receiving nominations are, in no particular order, the following: Chris Doyle Changed things by expanding the traditional concept of Caribbean cruising guides to include information on shoreside services and activities, food, island culture and much more. “Chris Doyle, whose cruising guides to the Leewards and Windwards are extremely popular and widely read, also writes articles such as hiking off the beaten track on various islands, some of them quite challenging. It’s one way for us cruisers to exercise and a great way to explore the islands. Chris still spends half the year cruising throughout the islands so his guides remain up to date.” Robbie Ferron Changed things by creating a Caribbean chain of marine chandleries as well as promoting yacht racing and youth sailing. “In 1982 Robbie Ferron started Budget Marine in the back bedroom of a house across from Bobby’s Marina in Phillipsburg, St. Maarten where he would discount me 25 percent — more on larger purchases. He has since built up a chain of marine stores throughout the islands. The staff at the stores in Carriacou and Grenada are exemplary and I’m sure they are typical. Robbie has also been instrumental in promoting youth sailing through Budget Marine and the St. Maarten Yacht Club.”
Call:
784.458.4308
Loulou Magras Another chandlery owner who changed things by promoting regattas. “Loulou Magras in St. Barth’s, who used to have the best marine chandlery, has always loved sailing. From early days he sponsored a series of informal regattas: one I remember in 1973 was a rowing race around Gustavia Harbour with a midpoint stop at Le Select into where you had to carry an oar and down a Heineken. The winner won a case of Cockspur Rum (and if memory serves me correctly all the other entrants won a case also!). “In the late ’70s Loulou sponsored the St. Barth’s Regatta with the Single-Handed Around the Island Race, the main race day for all entries, and Gaffers Day. One year there were 22 gaffers racing, ranging from the big schooner Puritan to an 18-foot gaff cutter. When the regatta became too big Loulou called a halt — he never did like big crowds. “Now we have the West Indies Work Boat Regatta each May in St Barth’s to celebrate the heritage of the trading sloops from Carriacou, Petite Martinique and other islands trading in St Barth’s, which was once a free port. Loulou co-founded this regatta with Alexis Andrews from Antigua.” Jerry Stewart Changed things by establishing Carricou’s first modern haul-out facility, and by helping add an official series of yacht races to the traditional Carriacou Regatta. “Jerry Stewart in Carriacou started and ran Tyrell Bay Yacht Haul Out for years and catered not only to yachts but also to workboats from Petite Martinique and neighbouring islands, creating employment for many of the shipwrights from Windward. His fleet of tugboats and barges based in Tyrell Bay created more jobs for crew and maintenance crews. In 2004, during the Carriacou Regatta Festival, together with Roy Hooper, Jerry began the Carriacou Yacht Regatta, which features the Round the Island Double Handed Race.” —Continued on next page
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