advertisement yacht chandler

President To Welcome BRP Ramon Alcaraz, And Boost Tourism?

Image Courtesy: jbongsky30

His Excellency Benigno Aquino III, President of the Republic Of The Philippines, will visit Subic Bay Freeport on 6th August to officially welcome the Philippines’ second patrol frigate to the port: BRP Ramon Alcaraz. Saluting the frigate upon arrival will be yachts from the Saturday Afternoon Gentlemen Sailors (SAGS) sailing club that have been specifically invited to participate in the ceremonies.

BRP Ramon Alcaraz is a Hamilton Class, high endurance cutter, originally launched for the United States Coastguard as the USCGC Dallas.

 

BRP Ramon Alcaraz is capable of a top speed of around 28 knots, using its two 18,000 horsepower (13,000 kW) Pratt & Whitney gas turbines, or, in non-pursuit mode, at speeds of up to 17 knots, using its two 3,500 horsepower (2,600 kW) Fairbanks-Morse diesel engines, she will be capable of circumnavigating the Philippine archipelago more than five times without refueling. BRP Ramon Alcaraz is designed and ready to handle helicopter search & rescue operations from her aft deck.

It is separately reported that, in addition to her conventional armaments, BRP Ramon Alcaraz may be equipped with sophisticated radar systems, capable of detecting and tracking surface threats, a Harpoon anti-ship missile system and torpedo decoy systems.

The invitation to SAGS sailing club to join in the celebrations is notable insomuch as it recognizes: the recent, formal incorporation of the sailing club at the Securities Exchange Commission (SEC); and, the close affinity that recreational sailors have with their professional counterparts. Club members are enthusiastic to support this initiative and to highlight to His Excellency the opportunities that pleasure vessel sailing offers for water sports tourism development throughout the Philippines, so you can expect to see all available members represented aboard their yachts on Tuesday.

The sport of sailing is one of the fastest growing water sports in the Philippines, and globally. The only thing that is delaying the sport of sailing becoming a significant contributor to tourist arrivals to the Philippines, is the archaic vessel registration and operations regulations seemingly, obstinately perpetuated by MARINA department. Over the past decade, many private sector representations have been made to MARINA to encourage them to add an amendment to the current legislation (governing registration and operating regulations), which would formally recognize “pleasure vessels” and “pleasure vessel charter” as distinct (from conventional commercial vessels and ferries) categories, requiring alternative rules and compliance.

For example, under the current MARINA legislation, a one-person sailing dinghy (or kayak or jetski) that is offered for hire to a foreign tourist must be registered with MARINA and must be operated in the same manner as the bareboat charter of a 5,000 ton cargo carrier – requiring that the “captain” and “engineer” and “crew” be fully licensed persons with full seaman’s papers certified by the Philippine Government. Most intelligent observers would recognize such requirements as being totally incompatible with tourism development (senior MARINA staff interviewed also agree). So, why has nothing been accomplished by a decade of private sector efforts to change this situation?

Perhaps, during the event in Subic Bay, SAGS members will have the opportunity to put this question to His Excellency, who in turn may be able to provide the impetus for change before 2014. For during 2014, it is fully expected that the Department of Tourism will expand its tourism promotions to encourage more diverse tourism opportunities, beyond the bulk-tourism numbers provided by package-tours, from China and Korea, to Boracay Beach and to casinos in Clark Field. For surely, with 7107 islands offering more than 36,000 Km of coastal frontage, the sport of sailing could represent a large part of water sports tourism visitor promotion.

If the opportunity to put the question to His Excellency does not arrive on Tuesday then perhaps someone, who reads this here, can independently bring the matter to the President’s attention?

To find out more about sailing in Subic Bay view the SAGS website or talk to the Lighthouse Marina Resort.

 

Tags: , , , , , ,