Team South Pacific recogised with the OCC Award
by Daria Blackwell 28 Jan 2022 08:48 UTC
Team South Pacific recogised with the OCC Award © Ocean Cruising Club
The 2021 OCC Award recognises Team South Pacific 2020: Juan Boschetti, Liz Back, Cynthia Rasch, John and Lyn Martin, John Hembrow, Viki Moore, and Sue Richards.
The OCC Award has two components - one rewards members who contribute valuable services to the OCC and the other for anyone who contributes extraordinary service to the cruising community at large.
The team were instrumental in supporting yachts caught in Covid limbo across the Pacific in 2020. Each worked on specific aspects and all coordinated their efforts with the Ocean Cruising Club (Guy Chester and Fiona Jones). Without the various solutions achieved cruisers would have faced serious issues, as it was solutions whilst not the most desirable outcomes ensured yachts in Covid Limbo had opportunities for safe haven for the southern cyclone season and could move to suitable ports.
Each of these individuals run businesses (marinas, rallies etc.) and have commitments, yet all put aside their commercial interests and worked tirelessly for outcomes to support the cruising community generally whether clients or not. Each of these folk used their contacts and influence to gain safe outcomes for cruisers during the Covid hiatus. Importantly many worked for outcomes that benefitted competitor businesses (e.g. other marinas, marine services and agents) for the significant benefit of all cruisers. Each of these stakeholders worked collaboratively with the Ocean Cruising Club and openly shared contacts and confidences as situations evolved.
Juan Boschetti - Shelter Bay Marina, Panama (Manager and OCC- POR): Provided support for all yachts during the strict quarantine upon their arrival into Panama. Was instrumental in supporting a re-opening of the canal to yachts and special considerations for pilots and line handlers.
Liz Back - Panama (Australian Honorary Counsel): Immediately the Panama canal closed to yachts she worked with Canal Authorities initially for Australian and New Zealand yachts then all to re-open the canal and ensure suitable conditions for transits. Liz also helped with diplomatic liaisons for various unique crew clearance and quarantine solutions.
Cynthia Rasch - Denarau Marina, Fiji (Manager): Cynthia created an industry lobby group and liaised with the various Fijian Ministries to create the "Blue Lane". This allowed many yachts caught in French Polynesia, safe haven.
John and Lyn Martin- New Zealand: John and Lyn had sold out of their Island Cruising Rally business, but stepped to use their established Kiwi marine industry contacts to lobby for access into New Zealand. An exemption process was created with new, specific quarantine arrangements and approvals aboard.
John Hembrow - Australia (Down Under Rally): John was tireless in finding solutions and suitable ports for quarantine aboard and later other entry requirements. In collaboration with the OCC and with the support of a senior politician, the "safe haven" border exemption process was created in later 2020, which has been used throughout 2021 as well. John facilitated individual yacht arrivals through the Covid restrictions. John also successfully advocated for international cruisers stuck in Australia to have visas extended and temporary import of yachts deferred.
Viki Moore- New Zealand (now an OCC Port Officer): Viki successfully advocated strongly to the government to ensure cruisers stuck in New Zealand had visas extended and temporary imports of yachts extended.
Sue Richards - Noonsite: Sue ensured prompt accurate updates on Noonsite as the various ports closed, opened with restrictions etc. Noonsite's real-time updates became a vital communication tool for the South Pacific Team 2020 to disseminate actual rules/policies/outcomes rather than rumour during the hiatus.
This article has been provided by the courtesy of Ocean Cruising Club.