The US Superyacht Association has put together a great schedule for captains and senior crew attending the 2013 Captains’ Briefing in St Maarten, January 16 and 17. Aside from information seminars, the two-day meeting includes time for socializing.

Event sponsors include MegaFend, IGY Marinas, Yacht Chandlers, Crown Bay Marina, National Marine Suppliers, Palm Harbor Marina and Jetlev.

For more information, contact the USSA at 954.792.8666 or [email protected]
The event schedule is as follows:

Wednesday, January 16th:
2:00pm: Welcome to St. Maarten, Prime Minister Address
2:30pm: US Coast Guard Security Initiatives in the Caribbean Basin
Admiral Baumgarten
3:00pm: ISPS overview and requirements for large yachts
Mario Biabiany
3:45pm: Break
4:00pm: Maritime Situational Awareness and Technology
Ron Thomason, MSC
4:30pm: Table Top exercise for large yachts
5:15pm: Questions, Wrap-up

Evening: USSA Welcome cocktail reception

Thursday January 17th:
If possible, have the morning reserved for tours of the Coast Guard Cutter Richard Etheridge

2:00pm: Welcome to USSA SXM program and industry update, John Mann, Chairman USSA
2:15pm: U.S. Entry overview for large yachts
CBP, State Department, USCG panel discussion
3:00pm: Break
3:15pm: STCW and Flag State Audits: Panel Discussion/presentations
4:00pm: “Make the Left” Destination U.S. West Coast and America’s Cup events update
4:45pm: Wrap-up and thank sponsors, next USSA event

Evening: cocktail reception