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Tampa Yacht & Country Club
5320 Interbay Blvd Tampa, FL 33611 813-831-1611
FLORIDA COUNCIL OF YACHT CLUBS
By George ("Chip") Hardy, Director
The Florida Council of Yacht Clubs continues to represent its constituent clubs and their members in protecting the rights of citizens to enjoy Florida's waterways, as evidenced by its support of and participation with two groups in the State.
The Council to promotes "Standing Watch" as a group which presents a balanced approach to addressing the rights of boaters and the concerns for protecting manatees. Boaters currently are impacted by over 3,500 restrictions (speed and/or access) on Florida waterways. Some of these restrictions were imposed with the express intention of protecting manatees even though no manatees have been known to visit the now restricted location. Visit their website at standing-watch.org to view the services and representation they are providing the boating community.
Additionally, the Council became a founding member of Florida Water Access Coalition, a collective organization representing 250,000 Floridians who contribute an estimated $18 million to Florida's economy. The group's goal is to seek balance between natural resource protection and the rights of citizens to reasonably enjoy Florida's waterways. One of the initial concerns of the group is the maintenance of the Intracoastal Waterway system to depths that are needed for both commercial and pleasure traffic. Federal taxes restricted for such use are not being spent on a timely basis and FWAC is working to free these funds for use.
The Council recently established a website at floridacouncilofyachtclubs.com. The site provides information about the Council, its activities and meetings, and provides links to member clubs that have their own websites. Additional links are provided to other boater related websites. The Council's site is a work in progress, so visit the site periodically to see what has been added.
St. Augustine Yacht Club has had its Council membership suspended because of noncompliance with requirements for membership in the Council. Reciprocity privileges between St. Augustine Yacht Club and the other clubs of the Council is suspended through July, 2002, at which time their compliance with the requirements of the Council will be reviewed and their membership status will be readdressed.
The Council has arranged two cruises aboard ships of the Radisson fleet. A one week cruise aboard the Seven Seas Navigator from Ft. Lauderdale to Bermuda will depart April 23, 2003, and will have layovers in Nassau and Charleston, South Carolina. The ship is 560 feet long and carries 490 passengers. Per-person rates start at $2,332.
The Council's "Commodore's Cruise" will take place October 18 - 25, 2003, aboard Radisson's Paul Gaugin with a seven night itinerary in the Society Islands. The cruise includes stops in Tahiti, Raiatea, Tahaa/Motu Mahana, Bora Bora and Moorea. The ship is 513 feet long and carries 320 passengers. Formal wear, tuxedo and/or ties will not be required on this cruise. Per-person rates start at $2,879, including economy air fare.
Costs of the above cruises include gratuities, trip cancellation insurance, and wine with both dinner and lunch. Please contact Teresa Sims in our office for brochures on these cruises.
Upcoming council meetings will be held November 9, 2002, at Charlotte Harbor
Yacht Club in Port Charlotte; January 11, 2003, at Sarasota Yacht Club; and,
March 22, 2003, at the Florida Yacht Club, Jacksonville, for the Council's change-of-watch.
All TYCC members are welcome to attend the meetings and parties. Reservations
should be made with Teresa Sims in our office.