ABMA, Antigua and Barbuda Marine Association

Antigua and Barbuda is one of the principal yachting and sailing centres in the Caribbean. The economy derives considerable income from the yachting industry and the trickle-down effect of this income is felt across very many sectors of the community.

The Antigua & Barbuda Marine Association is dedicated to the responsible protection, enhancement and improvement of the marine industry and environment in Antigua & Barbuda.

Objectives

Government Advocacy

• Recommendation of improvements to facilities and customs and immigration procedures.
• Liaison with various government ministries in providing information and feedback to assist in future policies, particularly the Ministry of Tourism.
• Work closely with the O.E.C.S. and E.C.L.A.C. in its efforts to develop the yachting industry across the region.
• Communication across the Caribbean Yachting Industry and instrumental in setting up of Caribbean Marine Association (C.M.A).

Promotion of Antigua and Barbuda as a Premier Yachting Destination and Premier Vacation Destination

• Collective marketing, advertising and promotions through the Antigua and Barbuda Marine Guide, the ABMA Marine Directory and other publications.
• Participation in International Trade Shows - Monaco, Genoa and Fort Lauderdale
• Promotion of the Antigua Marine Association Website www.abma.ag and active on-line links in and out of the site to raise awareness of the industry and the country.

Local Partnerships

• Work with the National Parks Association, the Antigua Charter Yacht Meeting, Sailing Week, Antigua Yacht Club and the Ministry of Tourism on events, marketing and strategic issues.

Community Programmes

• To create awareness of the critical importance of the yachting industry and the tourist industry generally to the livelihoods and well being of all areas of the community.
• Engender support for key charitable events or situations in the community.
• To raise awareness of environmental issues and their effect on the community and country.

Funding

• All of the efforts of the Association rely on the yearly membership fees and additional offers of funds from the members, along with a series of social events organised by the association within the community throughout the year. The funds from these events are then used to further our marketing programme.

Recognition by the Government of Antigua & Barbuda has achieved
 

• Advance Passenger Information System suspended.  APIS would have severely damaged the yachting industry in Antigua
• Direct channels to Immigration to resolve problems
• Agreements on ABST to benefit the marine industry
• Appointment of  a Yachting Liaison Officer
• Falmouth Harbour approval as a Port of Entry (yet to be implemented)
• Agents allowed to clear in yachts (work in progress, glitches to be sorted)
• Initiation of Dock Worker Pass System
• Yachting Symposium chaired by the Prime Minister
• Representation on the Board of the National Tourism Authority
• Recognition of Seaman’s Book
• Employment of Marine Hospitality Officers 
• Increased Police presence in Falmouth and English Harbours
• E/D Cards available in marinas (possible dispensing with E/D Cards soon)
• Short term/temporary Work Permits for marine industry workers 
•  

Additionally, the ABMA

• Has improved social contact between members
• Employed a permanent office secretary and
• Is working throughout the Caribbean with the Caribbean Marine Association           
• The ABMA has sent representatives to the Monaco Boat Show, Ft. Lauderdale Boat Show, Sea Trade Convention in Miami, Safety & Security Conferences in both Antigua & Trinidad and to a CMA Conference in Trinidad on APIS.  ABMA leaflets are distributed at main yachting destinations in Europe, the Canaries and Florida.

 Click here to see Benefits of Membership