See full version: Law change enables yachts over 300 GT to fly the American flag
This legislative action, led by Congressman Rob Bishop of Utah, was made possible from the work of volunteers from USSA, Tilman J. Fertitta, who is building his fifth yacht, and his team “wanted nothing more than to register his yacht in the United States.” [links]
Before the amendment, those with yachts over the 300 GT limit could only fly the US flag if they registered their yacht as a commercial vessel. But doing so means that the vessel would be held to different operational and construction standards, as if it were a cargo ship, such as US Coast Guard inspection as "seagoing motor vessels". more
US Superyacht Association (USSA) chair Kate Pearson said, “This has been a significant issue that the USSA has spent nearly a decade working to correct. We are thrilled to have been an integral part of helping to finally make it a reality and are pleased that yacht owners will no longer be chased from American shores to other countries to flag their vessels.”
The legislation, an amendment included on the bill the President signed, received bipartisan support in Congress during its development. Congressman Duncan Hunter representing California’s 50th District said, “I am very pleased that the president has signed legislation that will increase the number of large recreational vessels which fly the US flag. This will lead to more US jobs in the ship repair and supporting industries.” here
By about six o’clock in the evening, most of the “Mega Fleet” faces had arrived to Hodges Creek! Surprisingly fresh after several hours of travel, they were greeted by our chipper staff. The captains of each boat gathered their crew, grabbed luggage (some bags were bigger than the campers themselves!) and headed down the dock to their boat. We have eight boats on Mega Fleet. The dock was busy with campers setting up colorful hammocks and staff making sure boats had enough water and provisioning.
Dinner was prepared and enjoyed on boats. We all gathered for a “Mike Talk,” a chat with Mike Liese, who is the founder of Sail Caribbean. Mike welcomed everyone and went over the culture of Sail Caribbean, keeping healthy, basics of living on a boat, and the do’s and don’ts of this three week program. Once all the staff were introduced, we were all dismissed for the bedtime routine. Teeth were brushed, showers were taken and we all settled into bed for the night.
Swapping the life jackets for swimwear, we conducted swim tests, making sure we as staff know who is comfortable in the water. Afterwards, all divers went ashore. This included Discover, Open Water, Advanced Open Water, and Rescue. After meeting their lovely and experienced instructors, they went off to learn more about the water world. more
Brian and I with our headsets
I’m not saying you have to say yes to everything, but be social when you can. You never know when you’re going to be somewhere (French island) with no other cruisers who speak your language! It’s not bad being alone with your spouse for two weeks, but you’ll say yes to more invitations after that.
Chandleries in the Caribbean will input your clearance information when you buy from them, which exempts you from paying some kind of duty or tax. It’s worth it, so bring the boat papers with you.
Boats are more likely to break when and where no one else is around, so you will have to fix it or at least stop it from getting worse. I am not handy at all and even I am getting better at that stuff. In my opinion, people who can’t or don’t want to fix things won’t be happy in this life. here
Join the fun with fellow cruisers! here
Also, say yes to the potluck even if you don’t think you have anything good to bring. There’s always more than enough food and people would rather you come with your bag of chips or bottle of ketchup than stay behind on your boat. Really. more
Black: this is the color of solidarity and mental strength. It signifies the defeat of enemies and also the strength of mind it also complements the red stripe on the flag. Historically black represents the Abbasid dynasty. [links]
The UAE flag has a total of four colors juxtaposed side by side which are pleasing and symmetrical to look at. All of these colors symbolically present the basic priorities and values of the country. So, it is not just a coincidental combination of different colors but indeed a very thoughtful one, these are colors quite common to the Arab world. They are traditional Pan-Arab colors. The horizontal triband consists of three of those colors: green at the top, white in the center, and black at the bottom. The vertical band at the hoist of the flag is red. The four colors therein (Red, Black, Green, and White) has its meanings as it relates to the country’s integrity.
The flag of Ajman and Dubai is said to be identical. This was a plain red flag with a white bar at the hoist. The British named it the Trucial Coast Flag No 1. They also called it the White-Red halved flag. Abu Dhabi and Umm Al Quwain were expected to adopt it which never happened. The flag was adopted to distinguish themselves from the Al Qawasim of Sharjah and Ras Al Khaima
The current flag of the country which has the colors, Green, Red, White, and Black has been in use since the union in 1972. By description, it is a green-white-black horizontal tricolor with a vertical red band binding the other three colors together. here