YSATT works in the following areas:

Government Relations: YSATT informs government agencies of our position on various issues prior to development of laws and regulations.  Your membership in YSATT will not only keep you informed on pending governmental actions, but will add to our legislative clout.  YSATT was instrumental in establishing a Customs and Immigration presence in Chaguaramas and now funds the Customs and Immigration offices at CrewsInn.

We provide most of the furnishings, air-conditioning units, TV sets, tables, chairs, filing cabinets, shelving, etc. to ensure that these stations are as comfortable as possible for all users.  At a higher level, with the help of the Comptroller of Customs and the Chief Immigration Officer, YSATT has been instrumental in getting our laws adapted to the needs of the yacht service industry. 

For example, YSATT lobbied keenly for the introduction of rules that allow cruisers to bring boat parts and related repair materials into Trinidad and Tobago, free of duty and VAT.  We are working towards taking this to the next level with the introduction of a bonded warehouse and a single harmonised Immigration clearance form.

Promotional Activities: Being a member of YSATT means that your individual business is promoted to the cruiser in a number of ways:  The membership listing is available at the YSATT office where cruisers often stop by for suggestions and referrals on suppliers for the work and services that they require.  The YSATT website provides a forum for you to have a presence on the Internet and to showcase your business in our Membership Page.  The website also provides a one-stop site for information on the yacht service industry in Trinidad.  YSATT also works closely with TIDCO to increase yacht arrivals by promoting Trinidad and Tobago as a yachting destination to cruisers, super yachts and charter operators.

We are currently working on several promotional activities: The production and distribution of an industry brochure development and placement of a print advertisement in regional and international marine media having a presence at several international events.  Developing and implementing an annual survey to collect data on the yachting industry educating the general public about the yachting industry to mitigate the negative perceptions about the industry.

Environmental: YSATT ensures the viability of the yacht services industry by taking steps to protect the marine environment in the Western Peninsula:

We insist that all member boatyards be equipped with proper disposal and/or recycling facilities for garbage, oil, glass and batteries.  We assist cruisers in the event of an oil spill, distributing solvent free of charge, and in the case of the oil spill of September 2000, we coordinated the cruisers’ claims for compensation.  We established a Marine Environment Fund to address several environmental issues, e.g. the creation of an oil spill response strategy.  We work closely with the oil companies based in Chaguaramas to ensure that their operations do not negatively impact on the industry.  We offer advice to all our members on environmental matters.  We coordinate an Annual Clean Up Day, which is held on the third Saturday in September to coincide with the Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Clean Up Day.

Communications: YSATT will ensure that pertinent information, which could affect your business, is related to you.  Our quarterly membership update meetings are an opportunity for you to raise issues, ask questions and find out about what’s happening in the industry.  A guest speaker will address the membership on relevant issues and/or opportunities.  YSATT's Newsletter is produced bi-monthly and will keep you updated on issues that the association is addressing.

Information: YSATT has established its own database.  If you need yachting statistics, phone numbers, industry reports, newspaper clippings..... anything..... YSATT will endeavor to assist you in any way.  We can also help you to protect your business – we keep records of non-desirable persons, yachtsmen and persons previously employed in the industry.

Customer Service: YSATT works to ensure that the cruiser’s overall experience of Trinidad is a positive one: YSATT acts as a forum for compliments and complaints about every aspect of our industry, but especially about work-related matters.  This ensures that you, the member, receives feedback about your service and that the yachtsman does not walk away angry (hopefully!). 

YSATT attempts to resolve disputes in a methodical manner with absolute impartiality between members and visitor.  The YSATT office serves as a tourism visitor information outlet, supplying maps, information leaflets and advice to visitors on places of interest, scenic routes, shows to attend, etc., i.e. serving to enhance the yacht visitor’s overall experience of Trinidad and Tobago.

YSATT established an ‘account’ with the Blood Bank and holds a biannual Blood Drive to ensure that both cruisers and members can receive emergency blood donations in a time of need.

Safety: YSATT works to create a safe environment for both cruisers and members:  YSATT was instrumental in having the anchorage area designated to help control traffic flow and ensure the safety of those at anchor.  Moorings are being placed to ensure that boats are safe in the anchorage.

Special Events: YSATT is not all business.  We hope that you will take part in the social events that we organise each year, e.g. the Christmas Concert.  This year, we plan to have a Family Day and to add several fun fundraising events to our calendar.

Issues Impacting the Yachting Industry: YSATT seeks to proactively address all issues impacting the yacht services industry, e.g. oil company presence in Chaguaramas, declining yacht arrivals, etc.