Story by Hank Schmitt, photos by Elaine Lembo
You may ask, where is Mero and why is there a race there? Mero is a small beach community on the west coast of Dominica, 10 miles south of the waterfront town of Portsmouth. The race is a new addition to the annual PAYS (Portsmouth Association of Yacht Security) Dominica Yachting Festival, inviting cruisers to discover this Caribbean jewel of an island the harks back to what cruising was like in the 1970s.
The festival was started in 2016 to promote a mooring field in Portsmouth, donated by members of Offshore Passage Opportunities (OPO) to encourage cruisers to not only visit, but also to feel secure to leave their boats for the day and explore the many natural wonders Dominica offers. Profits from the Sunday BBQs pay for a patrol boat to watch over the anchorage 24/7.
The race to Mero is to encourage the government to expand the mooring field to Mero and install a dinghy dock so cruisers have more than one safe place to anchor and stay longer in Dominica. Think fun race, but also, towing your dinghy. Not only is there a race to Mero, but there is a race back to Portsmouth on the following day after a “jump up” street party.
The race takes up only two of the seven-day event (March 24-25). Here are more reasons to plan to be in Dominica for the whole festival March 21 to March 27:
- Free mooring for the first 30 boats to sign up. There is a $100 sponsorship per boat for the first 30 boats. The deposit (plus $100) goes toward meals, the Indian River Tour, and van excursion. (moorings are only $12 a night all season.)
- Free opening reception dinner on Saturday March 21st.
- Sunday and Wednesday BBQs at the PAYS Beach Pavilion, only $25 including all the rum punch you can drink (don’t overdo it!).
- Discounted tours.
- Participate in the race to Mero and receive a metal commemoration plaque to mount in your Nav station.
- Free closing party at prizegiving Friday night.
See the website for a full itinerary. www.PAYSDominica.com
PAYS makes it easy to visit all season long. When you first arrive, check in at the PAYS office. Staff will take care of customs procedures. In many cases you clear you in and out at the same time, a free service. Customs fees are only about US$30 for one week. The PAYS office also sells $12 park passes that are required to visit all the attractions on the island.
At previous festivals, cruisers have felt as though they must have won the lottery when they arrived in Portsmouth, Dominica, by dumb luck and found themselves participating in a festival program. This year, PAYS wants to make sure there’s a full mooring field by encouraging skippers to sign up in advance.
PAYS can take credit cards to pay for BBQs and tours when you arrive, but cannot take deposits online. That is why Offshore Passage Opportunities is using its website to take deposits to guarantee you a free mooring. OPO is also sponsoring the extra $100, doubling your deposit fee. After the 30-boat limit is reached, you may still be able to get a free mooring, but not the $100 bonus or 100 percent guarantee that there will be a mooring. Of course there is unlimited room to anchor out for free.
Sign up at www.sailopo.com/store. If you have questions, please feel free to email Hank at hank@sailopo.com.
