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YSATT is a non profit organisation, established in 1994 by the boatyards and marinas within the Western Peninsular of Trinidad, to ensure the proper and controlled growth of the yacht services industry in
Trinidad & Tobago.
With Trinidad’s fast growing yacht service industry,
YSATT's
role has become instrumental as a body devoted to the continued growth and well being of
the industry, as well as promoting the interests of the yacht service industry, enhancing facilities, advancing the education of those engaged in the yacht service industry and improving industry conditions.
Specifically,
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, airconditioning 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.
Education & Training
YSATT regularly evaluates the training needs of the industry and works to address the identified shortfalls with suitable courses. With the assistance of
TIDCO,
YSATT
has been involved with several training courses for our contractor members and their workers which have been provided free of charge. The continuing training of
YSATT
members and their employees is a priority on the
association’s agenda. Future training will include seminars and workshops in the marine and hospitality sectors.
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, superyachts 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 quarterly 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.
Group Discounts
YSATT has successfully negotiated a group discount rate with several organisations to reduce the cost of doing business for you. A group health plan with Tatil
(covering air ambulance, life insurance, diagnostic services and medical practitioner, optical and dental visits) and a reduced price for the Medicard are two of the discounts that we are pleased to offer. We are continually seeking additional opportunities to increase this benefit.
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.
Employment File
YSATT
will assist you in finding the right person to fill a position in your
business. We keep applications
on file for many positions within the industry.
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