MyPE

Community Business Directory, Event Listings, News and Views from Gqeberha, Nelson Mandela Bay

ABYC Evicted

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ABYC Wind
Sponsor flags strain against the high winds at ABYC before racing was postponed for the day at the 60th SAP 5O5 World Championships. Image: Alan Straton

After a long battle between the Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) and the Algoa Bay Yacht Club (ABYC) which culminated in an eviction order application brought by TNPA againsts ABYC it appears that the ABYC have met the end of the road today.

At the Bird Street High Court this morning the application for a stay of eviction by the 60 year old sailing club, ABYC, against the TNPA was dismissed with costs.

Writing on the ABYC Facebook Page Club Commodore Alan Straton said; “Practically that means that the club must vacate the building. As people never involved in that we are still trying to find out time lines and how that will play out day by day. Let’s hope that the process of moving out will not be onerous or beset with more obstacles put in our way. See you all on Wednesday Evening for an awesome sail and chin wag as we close one era and plan for the survival of our sport.”

At the heart of the eviction matter is the looming Port Regulator Complaint still to be heard on 20 March 2018 and outstanding since 2009.

In a reply posted on the Our ABYC Experiences Facebook Page the rental dispute is explained as follows:

The eviction and assessed rental is based on the 61% and now 310% increase in rental demanded by the TNPA in violation of what has been described by Port manager Rajesh Dana as being; “… in line with TNPA’s lease management policy and the port’s compliance with stringent governance processes.” TNPA has continued invoicing the higher disputed rental and ABYC paid a predetermined affordable lower rental whilst both parties wait for their day in front of the Port Regulator on 20 March 2018. At that hearing it could occur that the Port Regulator rules for ABYC on all their concerns and ABYC is reimbursed by the TNPA or the Port Regulator could completely agree with TNPA and ABYC owes the assessed rental and the TNPA will be vindicated of their action. Or the decision will be somewhere in the middle of those two polar opposites.

Despite the sad news ABYC will be hosting what could be there very last Wednesday Evening sailing event on 28 February 2018 from 5:00 pm and is extending an invite to all sailors to take part as they “close an era and plan for the survival of the sport of sailing.”

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.