New updates for the Annapolis Spring Sail Boat Show April 25-27.

Hope Fleet is partnering with the Seven Seas Cruising Association (SSCA) and their Clean Wake Projects. Work is being donated. Local builders will construct a Community Restroom Facility overseeing the build, ensuring a high-quality and sustainable solution for the community. The facility will connect to existing water and sewer lines for safe and sustainable sanitation.

What We Are Doing

Many boaters travel between the US and The Bahamas frequently throughout the year. Hopefleet is facilitating the gathering and transportation of building materials and receiving funds for the project. To donate go to
www.hopefleet.org/ssca-blackpoint.

Please help us fund this effort with lumber, electrical wiring and concrete is needed for a volunteer project to add to a cleaner environment for the community of Black Point. We also hope to encourage similar efforts in other communities in the Exumas or Out Islands where there are similar needs, thanks to Hopefleet.

Lorraine Rolle with daughter Laurie, and SSCA Lead Joni Thomas did it ;again. The Fourth Bahamas Gathering at Black Point, with close to 100 vessels in the harbor--Bahama Gathering VHF Net, music, Emerald Mermaid, BBQ, dingy raft up, fellowship and more! For three days of partied at a Black Point Exuma Gathering! March 13,14, and 15 , 2025. Cruises had raffle, BBQ, A Class C Schooer Race, music and more music with DJ, Dr Joshua brought music and Junkanoo, along with a wonderful Gospel Choir to sing. What a St Patrick's Day Weekend at Black Point! Photos and write ups to follow, but a BIG THANK YOU to all the volunteers and the members of the Black Point community! To give back see www.hopefleet.org/ssca-blackpoint as we try to build a public restroom at the beach. For 2025, again Lorraine's Cafe hit a home run with this event. Watch for the photos and descriptions as they are sent to HomeBase!

Sadly, On March 10, 2025 Ocean Navigator announced that the March-April edition would be the last edition of Ocean Navigator and Ocean Voyager. SSCA has long supported Ocean Navigator and will continue to support them in their future endeavors.

2025 Chesapeake Bay SSCA GAM at the Maryland Yacht Club, Pasadena MD
September 26 to 28, 2025

Come by car or boat to hear from cruising services leaders and wide-ranging cruisers.
There will be ‘hands-on’ sessions, plus social and happy hour events! New this year will
be an option for Safety for Cruising Couples. The Gam is open to SSCA members and
non-members. Save the dates!

Annapolis Cruisers' Monthly Lunch
SSCA is proud to announce continuation of our monthly luncheons at Leeward market in Eastport, MD.

Starting April 18, 2025, the processing of French visa applications in the USA will transition from VFS Global to a new service provider, TLSContact. The application process remains the same, but applicants will need to book appointments at the new TLSContact centers in ten US cities.

https://washington.consulfrance.org/change-of-service-provider-for-visa-applications

Find contacts for USA Visa applications described here:
https://france-visas.gouv.fr/en/united-states-of-america

Fees are also projected to change, TLSContact will charge 45 euro for a short stay visa and significant increase to 220 euro for a long stay one.
(image https://france-visas.gouv.fr)

Dave and Sherry McCampbell discuss the advantages of using satellite imagery with OpenCPN for close-in navigation in remote areas.

All Cruisers' Workshop articles can be found on the SSCA website in the Document Library and accessed from the Publication Menu's Cruisers' Workshop page as well. The McCampbell article may be found in the workshop's Navigation and Underway section.