One down, two to go

It is with regret that the Malta Sailing Federation must bring matters to the attention of the general public in the interest that the sport itself does not continue to be a victim of the inertia that seems to have settled over the islands' authorities.

It seems ironic that as a sport which is already contributing a substantial amount of economic activity in terms of providing revenues for hundreds of skilled workers and also for bringing foreign currency to our island, sailing is simply being treated like a ping pong ball.

Despite countless meetings with the government in order to regularise the title of the Royal Malta Yacht Club premises prior to Midi taking lease of Manoel Island, this never materialised. It therefore comes as no surprise that from a legal point of view the new owners of the island now consider the RMYC as "squatters".

The RMYC has been "squatting" in the fort for 34 years. The sad reality is that the RMYC officials have been knocking on the government's door for 34 years to regularise the situation. Procrastination and buck passing has been the order of the day for 34 years.

To think that the government of the day in 1970/1 (PN) had handed over the keys of Fort Manoel to the RMYC so that the marine leisure industry could develop, providing jobs and a secure future. This was, at the time, crucial for Malta to develop its tourism industry which had only just started. Giving the RMYC use of a dilapidated fort in a spectacular location meant that the government would be creating a "hive of activity" which would attract foreign boat owners to come and play with their toys in our sunny island. Besides, Maltese would also get hooked, thereby bringing to Malta even more boats.

Boats need maintenance. This would subsequently turn into jobs for the Maltese. That was the plan and it started to develop. But it was not to last.

In 1971, the newly elected Labour government saw socialism as the way forward. Luxuries such as yachting, colour television sets or anything looked upon as having a "capitalist tendency" were just cast aside. The workers were going to be given jobs for life by the government. Foreigners, naval bases and other similar cash cows were unceremoniously sent packing.

In 1987, the country's political situation changed into a Christian Democrat-styled government. One would have thought that the RMYC would finally be given title to its premises. And, yet, while ministers and prime ministers inaugurated "new pontoons", set up maritime authorities and basked in the "glory" of what many Maltese saw as providing their country with a secure future, a trivial matter such as putting the RMYC on a sound footing in order to play its part in the marine leisure industry, as explained above, faced buck passing and procrastination.

Then, with the wave of a magic wand, our ministers hand over the fort on a lease to Midi. All previous tenants who were given the keys to various premises by the government, but had no legal title, were now labelled "squatters". Procrastination and buck passing tactics served the government well, with Midi coming out as the real winners and RMYC the losers. And with it, the yachting industry, on which many Maltese bread winners depend to feed their families.

Should Midi care? Why should they? They acquired Fort Manoel on a lease with vacant possession. As far as they are concerned, RMYC are squatters. Period. Midi's CEO Ben Muscat said it himself, I quote, "They (RMYC) have been at the fort for the past 34 years and it was a nice site. The terrace had a grand view of the harbour but they were there on encroachment and had no title", unquote.

Mr Muscat goes on to say that successive governments were good enough to let them occupy it, yet, one fine day, somebody else could have said they wanted it (the site).

Yes, Mr Muscat was absolutely right. Somebody wanted it. The Midi board of directors. And now they have it. All the members of the yacht club (ourselves included) are realising that the government sold out, not to the highest bidder mind you.

There is only one way of looking at all this. Our activity, namely sailing (for racing or just pleasure), is already contributing a lot to the economy. Had our country possessed natural resources like oil or gas I would understand that we do not "need" to pursue this activity. But seeing how this country badly needs restructuring, one would have thought that the ministers who were negotiating with Midi could have put in a clause stating that development of Manoel Island should in no way cause any disruption to an already established yachting industry. After all, what is the point creating a project that in its wake leaves a trail of driftwood that was once providing a secure income to hundreds of skilled workers?

Of course, the ministers could argue that Midi wanted all or nothing. Of course, the ministers could have said "Ok fine, then nothing". The ministers could have then talked to other bidders and laid out a clear plan indicating that the yachting industry and a redevelopment of Manoel Island needed to live side by side, thus generating a much larger economic activity. The ministers could have done much more to extract as much as possible from Manoel Island. After all, Manoel Island is a prime location and a very fine piece of real estate.

The ministers could have provided the RMYC clubhouse with a title in order to protect the yachting industry prior to signing a lease with Midi. After all, RMYC was ahead in the queue by about 34 years. The ministers could have stipulated to the bidders that in order for the RMYC to carry out its functions one of the main requirements would be a large open terrace with a commanding view of the starting line (Couvre Port).

Incidentally Mr Muscat confirms in his interview that the alternative premises do "not" have a terrace. He goes on to say they have large internal spaces, with a view. Thank you for your explanation Mr CEO but the RMYC requires a terrace for the same reasons an airport requires a runway. Please try to understand that your organisation is offering something that is not needed while taking away something that is, namely a terrace. And a view from a window will not do. It will not work. This is not something CEOs can fix. Let's face it, one cannot dictate to a sports discipline what is needed unless, of course, one was involved in that sport. Simply put, this alternative premises is not going to work for the managers or officials who provide a service to members. This may cause the sport to collapse.

Well, if the sport does collapse and the sport of sailing loses its place in Maltese society, the onus will be on those who, with one hand gave it a new lease of life 34 years ago and then, with the other, snatched it away again.

Many readers are probably asking, why now? Why did the Malta Sailing Federation leave so much time go by before publicly assessing the situation? The simple answer is that we do not tell the RMYC council how to run its affairs; neither do we tell the government, Midi or anybody else. But we are seeing how the yacht club is being strangled and the life of the club is just dying away; it would be wrong if we did not bring this matter to the attention of Maltese taxpayers and voters. After all, this has all come about because the government did not finish off what it started 34 years ago.

Six months ago, Midi installed a gate at the approach to the club. This gate stopped guests proceeding to have lunch or dinner. These guests were not members but they kept the caterer in business. This action has ruined the caterer, put him out of business and subsequently the club is now dead. Imagine a band club without its bar/caterer. The place simply dies.

Many a Maltese sailing yacht owner and their families can only stare in disbelief as they think how a once thriving social sailing club has been ruined. The Malta Sailing Federation now predicts the possible collapse of the sailing and yachting industry due to owners losing interest, selling their toys thereby causing loss of business for the industry.

Our role is to see that our affiliated members are given the support they need in order to exist according to their statute. Seeing our clubs being told to move because we are encroaching after having occupied a premises for 34 years simply makes our heart bleed. Knowing that the RMYC tried for many years to regularise its situation with the ministers responsible and seeing Midi come in through the back door makes this all the more painful.

We are simply amazed at how our sports tourism activity is being treated so shoddily by the government of the day. It makes us want to put a stop to such unfair treatment. Or at least bring the matter to light so that common sense will prevail. Despite our extremely limited resources, we have to try. If anything to give hope to thousands of Maltese who sail together with their families and who are now seeing their beloved club snatched away from under their feet. Also, in solidarity with the skilled labourers who stand to lose their income when the boats go.

It is ironic that the government, with all its pomp and authority, simply takes a back seat approach and ignores a serious threat to so many jobs that were supporting the sport. In contrast, our council is made up of volunteers who love their sport and are prepared to put in many hours of dedication for no remuneration whatsoever.

The Malta Sailing Federation's opinion is that the government's job is to "govern". They are the ones to see that the country is managed properly by ensuring its well-being and preventing its citizens from being trampled on by powerful lobbyists.

Where now? Who knows, perhaps as was the case with so many issues that are made public and that are an embarrassment to the government, the Malta Sailing Federation, which represents all the clubs and associations, will be consulted on matters that affects its future. (We are kidding ourselves but it has to be said anyway). Isn't that how water culverts get fixed?

Besides, there are another two sailing clubs occupying government property without proper title. Despite tens of meetings with the ministers and parliamentary secretaries these clubs have not seen any progress. Yes, they are encroaching without title. Simply because the premises were given to them by the government but the machinery to implement a legal title keeps on being delayed. Perhaps these clubs will be evicted in order to make way for some other "Gridi" project?

One would have thought that such an important sports-tourism activity that has a natural race track out at sea would be given what it needs to attract events of international calibre. The spin off effect on the tourism industry would make everybody a bit wealthier. The government would be collecting tax revenues on these activities. So why have not these clubs been given legal title to their premises?

The ball, as the saying goes, is in the government's court. Enough said. They failed on one out of three. Let's see what happens for the remaining two.

Mr Ellul is vice-president of the Malta Sailing Federation.