Cuba Travel News and Information
A cadre of boatyards - Cuba’s future recreational vessel repair facilities
By Don Barr | CubaCruising.net
When the political climate changes in Cuba, and more boaters are cruising its waters, will opportunities exit for them to have quality work done at Cuban yards? I enthusiastically think so.
Having completed several boat building and repair projects in Cuba over the last ten years, I have observed Cuba’s well-sheltered bays and have worked in its many boat yards using their respective equipment and labor. Currently, there are no travel lifts at any yard in Cuba, and hauling is done with marine railways or large cranes. Though the machinery is old, the yards are generally well equipped and accommodate large vessels with panamax-size drydocks.
Since most yachts arriving from the north will likely cruise west around the island, this article focuses on the seven main boat yards located in the area spanning Havana to Cienfuegos.
The author talks about the following boatyards in Cuba:
Marina Hemingway
Astigal in Casablanca
Chullima on the Almendares River
Muriel
Nueva Gerona on the Isla de la Juventud
Cienfuegos
La Esperanza and Los Arroyos
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Very interesting. I’ve interviewed on several occasions, the actual owners of the Casablanca yards who are currently in exile. The family has been quite busy for the past few years, making preparations to bring the yards back to life. Some of the younger members of the family have even visited the yards personally in recent years. A Board of Directors still meets and they have high hopes with regards to the rebuilding of the yard, which although still in operation, pales to what it once was historically. What struck me was the way they spoke about workers and the need to provide inexpensive, quality housing for them, health care, etc.
I’ve also interviewed some of the workers from the pre-Castro era who are still alive. They all spoke so positively about the manner in which the operation was originally run and the downward spiral of management and treatment once Fidel took over.
Cheers,
AB
Thanks for the comment. We built the site http://PortOfHavana.com so if you have any photos and/or stories, I’m happy to post them there.
Signature:
This is my signature - get yours in Your Control Panel. Go ahead and add a link to your site. Self promotion is permitted as long as it is beneficial to our community.
Hi there,
Actually, I know a photojournalist whose been compiling information on Cuba-related stories. You can find images relating to the Casablanca shipyards here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/dosepocas
Regards,
-A
