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, HERB
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WAKE UP, HERB
Herb McCormick writes really well about sailing, but
his analysis of current-day Cuba is naive (“Sí Se Puede,”
September 2016). Between us, we have made more than
100 trips to Cuba since 1976 (as physicians, academics,
researchers and tourists), and wanted to suggest some con-
textualization for your readers.
Havana is indeed a confusing place, with stately man-
sions and older houses collapsing because of inadequate
building supplies. Having lived in England after World
War II, we can assure you that in no way does it resemble
“London after the blitzkrieg.”
Yes, Cuba has poverty, but there are many positives.
Compared with the U.S., there are no food banks, far
less homelessness (80 percent of Cubans own their
own homes) and a higher level of literacy. Education
(including college) is free, as is comprehensive health-
care. Life expectancy is the same as in the U.S., with
lower rates of HIV and infant mortality, and with less
racial tension and violence.
Herb refers ironically to the “propaganda about ‘lackey’
Americans,” but he should recall that the U.S. military
invaded Cuba three times in the 20th century to support
corrupt governments; 3,400 Cubans have been killed in
acts of terrorism initiated by militant exile groups and
the CIA, with many assassination attempts against the
Cuban leadership.
Herb’s article would also gain by remembering that
the Cuban embargo (continuous since 1960) forbids
Cubans from exporting anything to the U.S. Recent
modifi cations insist that Cuba pay for any American
food products with cash — no credit is available.
Multinational companies all over the world are not
allowed to sell goods in Cuba without running the risk
of losing the right to sell in the U.S. Ordinary Cubans
are caught in this squeeze. Imagine trying to purchase
necessities of daily life or, for that matter, boat parts
that are not made by multinationals.
We are sorry to point out that the good guys are not all
American and the bad guys are not all Cuban.
Peter Camfi eld, Carol Camfi eld, John Kirk
Via email
Herb McCormick replies: Many thanks
for the close read of my Cuba story and
for taking the time to write. I actually
think your letter confi rms my reporting
rather than dispels it. Older houses
are indeed collapsing. The poverty is
startling. There was nothing “ironic”
about my “lackey Americans” reference:
That was a direct quote taken fr om my visit to the Museum of the Revolution.
Lastly, I have no idea what you mean regarding who the good guys or bad guys
are; I do not pass judgment on anyone in the piece. In fact, I found the Cuban
people, despite their challenges, to be wonderful. They were certainly the high-
light of my travels there.
UNDERWAY
brand-new airport and weekly
fl ight service from South Africa,
St. Helena and all its wonders
will be accessible to visitors
from around the world.
For sailors, the new airport
makes St. Helena a viable mid-
Atlantic port for dropping off
guests, changing crew or having
spare parts fl own in. The increase
in tourism will also mean improved
provisioning options and easier
access to the island’s highlights,
which include fantastic hiking,
historic stone fortifi cations,
Napoleon’s estate and tomb, whale
sharks, and spectacular diving.
Along with the new airport,
other changes are coming to the
formerly isolated outpost. RMS
St. Helena is slated for decommis-
sioning, and thanks to the new
breakwater and pier in nearby
Rupert’s Valley, freighter opera-
tions, cruise ship landings and fi sh
processing will all be moved off
the historic Jamestown Wharf.
With the commercial and
industrial center moved away
from Jamestown, the Jamestown
Wharf will be reconfi gured as
a public space. The St. Helena
Yacht Club is looking forward
to an increased presence on the
wharf and providing a warmer
welcome to cruisers. There’s also
a plan for a short-term haulout
facility on either the Jamestown
Wharf or Rupert’s Pier.
While some cruisers have
expressed concern that the air-
port will change the nature of the
friendly island, early indications
are that it’s making life better for
the locals — off ering jobs and
opportunities they used to need
to travel abroad to fi nd.
— Diane Selkirk
New Learn-to-
Sail Section
Online
CruisingWorld.com
has a new section just
for beginner sailors!
Find articles on
sailing basics as well
as information on
where to fi nd sailing
schools or charter
companies that can
get you out on the
water. Review the
essentials or share
the sport of sailing
with a friend at
cruisingworld .com/
learn-to-sail.
Rolex World
Sailors of the
Year Announced
For their accom-
plishments at the
2016 Olympic Games
in Rio as well as
throughout the past
year, 470 sailors
Hannah Mills and
Saskia Clark, of
Great Britain, and
Nacra 17 skipper
Santiago Lange, of
Argentina, have
been named Rolex
World Sailors of the
Year. Read more
at cruisingworld
.com/1701awards.
january/february 2017
cruisingworld.com
COURTESY OF LTD SAILING GRENADA (TOP LEFT); COURTESY OF ROLEX / NICK HARVEY (BOTTOM LEFT); DIANE SELKIRK (CENTER)
The climb up Jacob’s Ladder
above Jamestown is exhaust-
ing, but the view is worth it.
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MAILMAILMA
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