This week Ondeck, the RYA/MCA accredited sailing school and yacht charter company based in English Harbour has confirmed that from this week, all clients booking courses or charters with the company, will be asked to contribute to the newly formed Marine Development Fund.
The fund, launched earlier this year, has been created by the ABMA for purpose of building funds which will be used to contribute to, support and enhance our industry and the environment in which it operates. Decisions on how the fund is spent will be made by contributing companies along with representatives of the ABMA board.
At Ondeck it is perfect timing to launch the fund being as it is the beginning of a new season and the same timing as some upcoming new courses being offered by the sailing school. Of the courses Managing Director Pete Anthony says.’This season sees the launch of a range of Power and Motor Boat courses to RYA Yachtmaster to meet the demand of the many visiting superyachts along with a range of Boat Engineer courses from our new facility at North Sound. We continue to deliver a training hub here in the Caribbean to rival the biggest and best worldwide’
Customers will be offered the option of contributing to the fund when booking their course with Ondeck. Antigua Sailing Week trialled the MDF for 2016 registrations and attendees to Antigua Sailing Week by asking for a US$10 contribution per boat registered, and in doing so raised the first EC$1000 towards the fund.
The ABMA is interested in speaking to other businesses who would like to support the fund and long term aims to provide a sustainable way to fundraise for key causes such as ABSAR, Youth Sailing, Environmental and other projects in the yachting communities throughout Antigua.
For more information visit www.abma.ag/mdf
To discuss your interest further please call the office on 734-6366 or email news@amba.ag