Obama Administration Approves First Ferry Service to Cuba

[babylonsister]

Let's GO!!!!


Obama Administration Approves First Ferry Service to Cuba
HAVANA — May 5, 2015, 8:26 PM ET
By MICHAEL WEISSENSTEIN Associated Press
Associated Press


The Obama administration approved the first ferry service in decades between the United States and Cuba on Tuesday, potentially opening a new path for the hundreds of thousands of people and hundreds of millions of dollars in goods that travel between Florida and Havana each year.

Baja Ferries, which operates passenger service in Mexico, said it received a license from the U.S. Treasury Department. Robert Muse, a lawyer for Baja Ferries, said he believed other ferry service petitions had also been approved. The Treasury Department said it could not immediately confirm that, but the Sun-Sentinel newspaper in Florida said approvals also were received by Havana Ferry Partners of Fort Lauderdale, United Caribbean Lines Florida in the Orlando area and Airline Brokers Co. of Miami.

Muse said Baja had yet to request approval from Cuba, but added that he was optimistic the service would allow a significant increase in trade and travel between the two countries.

The Cuban government made no immediate comment on the news and it is far from clear that it is willing or able to allow a major new channel for the movement of goods and people between the two countries.

"I think it's a further indication of the seriousness of the Obama administration in normalizing relations with Cuba," said Muse, an expert on U.S. law on Cuba. "We're now going from the theoretical to the very specific."

more...

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/obama-administration-approves-ferry-service-cuba-30827522

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. That is excellent news! I really want to see us get closer to normal relations with Cuba.

It'll be so good for both countries.

K&R

[babylonsister]

2. DU meet-up in Cuba?

It 'could' happen.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

9. YES, it could!

I'd like that!

[dixiegrrrrl]

3. Look how fast the wheels can turn when the WH wants them to.

Seems to me this whole reversal of Cuba policy has happened very very quickly, and I am wondering why.
Is having a new import/export partner that immediate of a need?

[babylonsister]

5. Maybe because it's the right thing to do?

Pretty simple.

[sheshe2]

8. Some people~

Will try to make it ugly to diminish his achievements, bsis. His focus when coming into office was using any means possible to stop our hemorrhaging economy. I guess people forget that happened.

Also, they think he can focus on just one issue, when in fact he has a banquet table in front of him with plates full of problems and issues to deal with.

Peace~

[treestar]

18. Yep. The old not soon enough not fast enough

and now it's too fast!

[sheshe2]

19. Yup~

Good morning treestar!

Off to work~ Some~

[okaawhatever]

12. I'm pretty sure they have been working on this for a while. I wouldn't be surprised to find out

that Beyonce and Jay Z had a couple of government types in their entourage when they visited the island.

My theory is the Beyonce/Jay Z trip gave cover for a couple of people to go down there and negotiate with Raul Castro's gov't. That is what I thought at the time, and I still think that.

[Hekate]

14. (1) It's the right thing to do. (2) It's been over half a century, and you want more time? smh

[Cha]

4. Oh yeah, there's something else to Thank the President for doing. Thank you President OBAMA.

mahalo babsis

[Backwoodsrider]

6. of course whitehouse is out front on cuba

its tourist season and there are dollars to be made!

[trumad]

7. ugg

[babylonsister]

16. Huh? That doesn't make sense,

but I guess there's no stopping you!

[Backwoodsrider]

27. as long as it makes sense to me!

Seriously I think there is an economic benefit to having ferrys bringing folks to Cuba, especially folks like from Florida that may have not been to Cuba in a while. Look forward to seeing the reunions on facebook soon. I believe about EVERY political decision on a national or worldly level has to have an economic benefit nowdays, its just the times we live in.

[SidDithers]

17. ...

Sid

[sufrommich]

24. How are comments like this any less conspiratorial

than any freeper seecrit muslim socialist nonsense? Jesus.

[AtomicKitten]

10. Good! I support continuing to open up relations with Cuba.

The beauty of this endeavor is that entities like the Chamber of Commerce want Cuba opened up in spite of them being almost always being against what the Admin wants and blocking everything. They can't help themselves when it comes to the prospect of opening up new markets, and I welcome them pushing this process along. The end result of a free and open relationship with Cuba is the prize we should keep our eyes on.

[babylonsister]

11. I want them opened up for medical reasons, and because I want to visit. But...

http://latino.foxnews.com/latino/health/2015/04/24/cuba-secretive-lung-cancer-vaccine-is-heading-to-us-for-clinical-trials/


Cuba's lung cancer vaccine is heading to the U.S. for clinical trials

Come on! Who might be against this?

[Hekate]

13. This is exciting news, Babs. What should have been done several administrations ago, HE is doing NOW

[Recursion]

15. Unfortunately Cuba and the US still don't have tourist visas for each other's nationals

But fingers crossed that will get sorted out over the next year or so.

[babylonsister]

21. A friend of

mine who lives in TX recently returned from a vacation to Cuba, and my sister is going next month (she lives in CA). I will have to find out what hoops they have to jump through to get there.

[Hekate]

32. A friend of mine in CA went there; apparently "education"...

....was/is a valid reason, as the whole photography class plus teacher went.

[Jefferson23]

20. Highly recommend. +1.

[davidpdx]

22. Anyone know theoretically how long of a trip it would be from Miami to Cuba?

I guess it depends on how fast the boat moves as well. I'm not sure I'd want to be in those waters during certain times of the year with the hurricanes though.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

23. Hurricanes should not be a problem ...

... it's not like they sneak up on us. We track them for days, enough time to reschedule, etc.

I'd guess the ferries will be sailed to a safe harbor to wait out the storm.

[sufrommich]

25. I'd be curious to know too. How long of a ferry ride is

that,anybody know?

[Basic LA]

26. More than a ferry ride.

From mainland Florida--not the Keys--must be from 120 to 150 miles. At a speed of 20 knots, it could take a good 7 hrs. Just a guesstimate.

[sufrommich]

29. Thanks for the info.Michigan/Wisconsin has a car ferry

that crosses Lake Michigan in 4 hours.

http://www.ssbadger.com/

[KamaAina]

31. Historically, the ferries ran from Key West to Havana.

About 90 miles.

[Backwoodsrider]

28. I know a couple in Canada that go down to Cuba every year

They say because it was so not American but I believe in free access. Cuba might lose some its old worldness but there is so much more to be gained with open relations with that country.

[BeeBee]

30. I want to go!!! n/t