Yes, but, as far as I know, the same regulations are still in effect unless and until they are changed under the Obama regime.
Maybe I should make it clear that I do not think the United States government has any right to tell me where I can or cannot go when I leave U.S. waters on a boat.
What's that got to do with it mummp? It still applies.
Maybe I should make it clear that I do not think the United States government has any right to tell me where I can or cannot go when I leave U.S. waters on a boat.
Thanks for the updates Mary.
So...it looks like unless the administration changes things soon, it could be a little dicey.
Everyone here is ramped up to do the race, but politics and organizational aspects are what will make or break this.
Cat sailors are notoriously disorganized. Whoever this John A Webster is probably needs help and support. It would be nice to see what he has to say.
Yes, but, as far as I know, the same regulations are still in effect unless and until they are changed under the Obama regime.
Maybe I should make it clear that I do not think the United States government has any right to tell me where I can or cannot go when I leave U.S. waters on a boat.
Obama Eases Travel Restrictions to Cuba (April 13, 2009)
Travel restrictions for Americans of non-Cuban descent will remain in place
Hopefully this will move forward quickly, but there will be some very heated debate in congress. I don't know why they can't just get over it.
Robi's comment about how many people
make the trip
across the straights had me wondering how many ATTEMPT the trip across. He's got firsthand knowledge, and probably some anecdotal figures on those that DON'T make it all the way.
Still, I think it'd be a trip to remember, even if it's on an 18.... <img src="<>/smile.gif" alt="smile" title="smile" height="15" width="15" />
And a week plan gives you a few days to play with for a weather window across...
WHOA!!! WOW...
Yep I do, some are hilarious some are not so much.
Funny - we spoted a yola doing circles, there rudder got stuck to one side and they couldnt kill the engine.
Sad - The mother that had no family in Cuba, her kids and husband were in Miami waiting for her, we intercepted her and she was scared for her life.
Fudged - The Captain that yelled at me for talking with the
enemy
I have very serious thoughts on this entire Cuban embargo and how we handle it, but they are very personal and will not talk openly about it. I just do my job and save lives before the sea gets a hold of them.
and i am sure i speak for many when i say,
THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO
You can go where ever you want.. you just may not be welcome back...
kind of like
you can do whatever you want, as long as you don't get caught
.. right?
I don't quite understand the duplicity of people's statement when they say
I don't want the government interfering with my life
, when the government has already done so...
Does this statement imply that the speaker does not want law enforcement, municipal services, fire protection, ability to occupy/use land, defense against invaders, and other things offered (or more correctly
taken for granted
) to citizens?
Or does it mean that
I only want the government to impose my sense of
right
on everyone else
?
That people have to live and interact together in some fashion virtually requires that some individual rights may have to be compromised in order to promote some sense of harmony, does it not?
I think there are very few who live completely
off the grid/radar
(maybe nomadic singlehand sailors or mountain men?) and are totally self-reliant.
sorry for getting so far off. I need to brush up on my spanish/cuban. Maybe start watching those Novellas on Univision?
It is called
Cubish
in Key West...and probably Miami too.
so, will the waves be unwelcome to this one as well???
No... they are not invited....
I'd like to start a collection and see if we can come up with a Wave or an old AquaCat to take these two funny guys to Cuba. Or maybe, we could just take one of those inner tubes from a refugee, jury rig a Hobie kayak sail onto it...
I think this could solve a multitude of problems. Who's with me?
Mike
Now that's messed up right there. Even after that guy just did the Ditch on a Wave?
<img src="<>/cool.gif" alt="cool" title="cool" height="15" width="15" />
J
Doesn't IWCA allow hooter/spinnaker? How long is a wave? Would it not meet the 18' spin boat requirement?
Years ago, Tim Rynolds (Team Key West Worrell 1000 sailor) and I talked about organizing this race after Clinton allowed sports and cultural exchange exemptions in the Cuba visa restrictions. The great thing about the Tybee500 and W1000 is that they had a nice sandy beach nearby that would allow anyone to sort themselves out and be relatively self sufficient. No beaches between Key West and Cuba. We thought it might be a good idea to put two motor boats out in the middle somewhere and make it a safety gate.
so what's the final verdict from the legal standpoint? Are US citizens of non-cuban descent allowed to travel to Cuba in this cultural exchange?
And what about ground crews? How does the organizer propose travel for them (if they're allowed at all)?
Again, people cross it on inner tubes, rafts, row boats, if it floats they get on it and cross. Crossing it on a beach cat will be piece of cake compared to how the Cubans cross it.
Rather then a gate
the tracking tools that they used for the tybee would be a perfect solution... put one on every boat... The safety officer knows where they are and the race fans can follow at home. Your safety boats could trail the fleet and actually know where the back of the fleet actually is!
Has this technology proven accurate and reliable? If so, I agree that is a good idea.
Would it be safe to presume that safety equipment similar to that required for T-500 will be required? Sounds like their past trips have been pretty casual, but this sounds like a formal race thing...
I also agree that certain
qualifying
races be used to show the organizers the teams are up to the challenge. Like what was suggested earlier - KL steeplechase, Keys 100, T-500 (optional), OBX 500, or other coastal races 75 km or greater...
The title needed fixin'. Carry on. . .
Thank you, Philip. I don't know why people change the subject title in the middle of a thread. Makes it very confusing.
I beleive it is Spanglish, if you have to lable it.
I just got this today. It seems there is a lot of sentiment toward getting Cuba back in the fold, so to speak. I think the old policies never did what they were intended for. The Cuban people are wonderfull and they shouldn't be punished any more.
Besides, I want to go back.
Dear Jack,
At Orbitz we believe passionately in the power of travel to transform lives. And we believe that people should have the freedom to travel wherever they choose.
Americans today have the right to travel to any country in the world except Cuba. Three weeks ago, we launched www.OpenCuba.org, a campaign that gives people a way to petition U.S. leaders to end the 50-year Cuba travel ban and give all Americans the freedom to travel to Cuba.
With Congress considering the bipartisan Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act, the opportunity to end the 50-year ban hangs in the balance.
I am booking my flight to N Korea tomorrow..... Anyone know if they are testing any nuke's this week?