The Marine Industries Association of St. Lucia has been able to secure funding from the European Union for a Strategic Plan for the Yachting Sector. One of recommendations was the need to incorporate the so-called ‘boat boys’ in the scheme with training and regulation. The Marine Association joined forces with the St. Lucia Ministry of Tourism to arrange training at the Arthur Lewis Community College. Funding for the course came from the St. Lucia Heritage Tourism Project. After a 6 week course covering Tourism and Customer Service; Safety at Sea, First Aid & CPR and Small Business Management the first 60 graduates received certificates at Villa de Pitons, Soufriere Bay.

The graduates will be known on their photo ID’s issued by the Department of Tourism as “Tourism Water-Based Freelancers”. The freelancers come from the various yachting havens including Rodney Bay, Marigot Bay and Soufriere. The Marine Industries Association of St. Lucia is encouraging the freelancers to form local groups and become full members of MIASL. A further 40 local lads are due to graduate soon. Other Marine Associations and Caribbean Governments could do well to consider the implications of how the St. Lucians are all working together to improve their Yachting Industry.