USSA Captains Briefing – YachtInfo FLIBS October 30, 2009

Washington Dignitaries Hosted by the U.S. Superyacht Association

In the tradition of the Captains Briefings held annually in St.Maarten, Newport and at last year’s boat show, the U.S. Superyacht Association (USSA), in a collaborative alliance with MIASF and ISS called YachtInfo, has invited high-level Washington dignitaries for a forum and dialogue with the superyacht captains and senior officers in town for the boat show.

This year’s “Captains Briefing” scheduled for Friday, October 30,2009 will be held at 4:30 in the Grande View Ballroom, upstairs at the Bahia Mar Resort, with a networking reception immediately following.
It is the closing event to a full day of professional development seminars for crew called YachtInfo.

The purpose of the Captains Briefing is to update and inform the captains and senior officers of all the large yachts that are in Fort Lauderdale, about the latest regulations from the U.S. Coast Guard, Customs & Border Protection and the U.S. Department of State.

For the first time, this year’s panel includes the expertise of the International Maritime Pilots’ Association Michael Watson, who is also president of the American Pilots’ Association. He is joined by Rear Admiral Kevin Cook of the U.S. Coast Guard and Paul Minton of Customs & Border Protection. All are traveling from Washington, D.C. for dialogue with superyacht captains and officers.

“We believe we finally have definitive direction and answers about crew visas from the State Department,” commented USSA Board member, John Mann, after his recent visit to Washington, D.C.

- Crew Visas – B1/B2, length of stay, re-entry? Problems at consular
offices worldwide?
- Captains Licenses – What requirements are expected
to change soon?
- ANOA Procedures – Potential changes in ANOA?
Why the duplicity of data for USCG & CBP?
- Mandatory Pilotage Regulations – Why is enforcement regional?
Where is that information?

Captains and senior officers may pre-register at

http://www.miasf.org/quickLink/usYIreg.htm.

The activities of the USSA are member-supported and sponsorships
remain available for both YachtInfo and
the Captains Briefing.

The next USSA Captains Briefing & Reception will be in
St Maarten, January 26-28, 2010.

2009 USSA Captains Briefing Returns to Newport for 4th Year

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Newport, RI —July 15, 2009— In the tradition of the Captains Briefing held annually in St. Maarten each January, the U.S. Superyacht Association (USSA) returned for the fourth year to kick-off the Newport Spring Charter Show with another Captains Briefing & Reception on Tuesday, June 23, 2009.

As before, the Newport Captains Briefing was held on the afternoon, prior to the opening of the show. Not only were the captains and senior officers of large vessels in the area invited, but also regional marine industry leaders and superyacht businesses. Sponsored by USSA members, Rybovich Shipyard & Marina and Professional Captain’s Services, the event provided a venue for dialogue, updates and networking among superyacht professionals.

“For the first time, Billy Smith (Trinity Yachts) seemed less than optimistic about new builds,” commented John Mann (Bluewater Books & Charts) who moderated the Captains Briefing. “As the Vice Chair of our Board, the USSA has long relied on Billy for his global perspective of the superyacht industry. He’s encouraged by the strength of the repair and refit business and affirmed the important role, of the charter fleet & businesses, in creating new superyacht buyers. Many guests become owners.” Read more »

2009 Newport Captains Briefing Featured Speaker Billy Smith

We just received confirmation that the Vice-Chair of the USSA Board of Directors, Billy Smith (VP, Trinity Yachts LLC) will be a featured speaker at the USSA Captains Briefing on Tuesday in Newport.

We always look forward to hearing his comments and global perspective on the superyacht industry, a good complement to the “Washington Update” planned by Kristina Hebert and John Mann, of the USSA Advocacy Committee.

Of course, there’s a networking reception immediately following, even raffle prizes & music!

If you’re in the area, come join us. Invite your colleagues, your customers, your captains and senior officers.

USSA Invitation Captains & Senior Officers Briefing Newport 2009

Captains & Senior Officers!
Marine Industry partners and guests!
USSA members!The invitations are printed, the posters are up and the USSA is traveling to Newport, RI, to kick-off the Newport Spring Charter Show.

Captains Briefing & Reception
Tuesday, June 23 – 4:00
(Registration from 3:45)
Newport Yachting Center – USSA Event-Tent

Presenting a Washington update & industry dialogue on such things as the effects of the changes in Longshoreman Insurance and the availability of bailout money for marine business, even in the superyacht segment.

Reception immediately following
Beer, wine, food and music!
Great networking opportunity!

Our special thanks to the Professional Captain’s Services (The Megayacht Div. of West Marine) and Rybovich Shipyard & Marina, our Host Sponsors. Read more »

2009 Newport Spring Charter Show – Captains Briefing

If you’re planning a trip to the Northeast,
plan to be in Newport on Monday June 22!

The USSA has planned a “Captains Update & Reception” on Monday afternoon, June 22, 2009. The speakers will be informative and knowledgeable. We “serve as a voice” – advocating for the superyacht industry in the United States. Our goal is to educate and inform.

The audience is the captains and senior officers of all the large vessels that are in the region, not just those in the charter show.

We are also inviting regional superyacht businesses and leaders. We want to strengthen our regional alliances and engage new members.

The Captains Update will be in the main tent at the Newport Spring Charter Show in The Newport Shipyard at 4:00 on Monday, with a mini-trade show opportunity during the event and throughout the charter show (June 23-26).

The networking reception follows immediately from about 5-7:00. We are planning a Specialty Drink Station and Cash Raffle Prizes!

The Newport Spring Charter Show hosts their crew party, 5:30-7:00, in the same tent, on the same evening. More energy, more networking, more exposure!

Support the USSA event!

Use June 22 as a planning date, a focal point, a home base during your trip!

Most of the charter show activities are in the evening, the Welcome Dinner on Tuesday, yacht-hops on Wednesday and Thursday – you know the drill.

During the day, visit customers, shipyards, vessels, distributers!

Work the region, returning in the evenings for the networking and the Newport nightlife.

Your shared table space ($450) in the main tent at the charter show gives you exposure, even when you’re not there.

Participating USSA members will be welcome on the charter show vessels and at the events.

Member support is critical.

The 2009 Newport Offerings and Sponsorships are attached.

Host, Specialty Drink and Raffle Sponsorships include the mini-trade show, shared table space. Consider all the options!

Fax (or email) the completed Member Agreement (attached) to 954-206-9180. Do it now!

Deadline: June 1.

Marketing, Networking and Advocacy!

Captains Briefing & Reception St. Maarten January 2009

The annual Captains Briefing & Reception, held in St. Maarten in January, gathered nearly 100 industry captains (who were berthed there) to discuss such issues as visas & immigration, foreign-flagged vessel entry into U.S. waters, doing business with U.S. refit yards and piracy.

A delegation of over 20 member companies traveled for a mini-trade show and two days of networking with the

attending senior officers and the many vessels in port.

Gallery: 2009 St. Maarten Captains Briefing

Here are a few photos of our St. Maarten Captains Briefing 2009

[View with PicLens]

Captains Briefing St. Maarten January 2009

The annual Captains Briefing & Reception, held in St. Maarten in January, gathered nearly 100 industry captains (who were berthed there) to discuss such issues as visas & immigration, foreign-flagged vessel entry into U.S. waters, doing business with U.S. refit yards and piracy. A delegation of over 20 member companies traveled for a mini-trade show and two days of networking with the attending senior officers and the many vessels in port.