CSA pays tribute to Noel Hylton

Members of the Caribbean Shipping Association have been paying tribute to the organization’s first secretary and first executive vice president, the Hon. Noel Hylton, OJ, who died on 24 February after a period of illness.

Mr Hylton was instrumental in the formation of the CSA. In 1970 he was among representatives from five national shipping associations in the region who met in Barbados and decided to form a Caribbean-wide association.

As the Shipping Association of Jamaica’s then general manager, Mr Hylton served as secretary to the steering committee and undertook much of the work of establishing and registering the CSA and its secretariat in Kingston, Jamaica. The aim of the steering committee was to bring together shipping interests across the region to integrate interests and exchange advice, experiences and information.

Later, as the CSA’s first executive vice president, Mr Hylton oversaw the development of documentation and the establishment of procedures for the new organization. In addition, he oversaw the task of organizing the content and logistics of the association’s first general meetings.

“Mr Hylton was instrumental in the formation of the Caribbean Shipping Association,” said current CSA president David Jean-Marie. “He visited and lobbied the shipping leaders of the region and subsequently participated in the organization and legitimization of the association. What we know today as one of the most influential shipping organizations in the region, which impacts the direction of thought of leaders among its represented countries and beyond, is in large part due to the industry and vision of Mr Hylton, especially in those important formative years. I am grateful that the maritime industry has had someone of his stature to guide it through its developmental years. I wish to express deepest condolences to his family on behalf of the CSA General Council and, indeed, on behalf of Barbados Port Inc. He was a great man and we continue to carry on his legacy with pride, conviction and purpose.”

Dedication

Mr Jean-Marie added that, as a consequence of his hard work and dedication, Mr Hylton was also very fondly remembered by members of the CSA.

Alvin Henry, who succeeded Noel Hylton as secretary and then executive vice president of the CSA, described him as one of the founding fathers of the Caribbean Shipping Association. “Noel was pivotal to the formation and development of the CSA,” said Mr Henry. “He was instrumental in getting other shipping managers from the other countries in the Caribbean involved in the CSA.” And he added: “The CSA today owes a debt of gratitude to Noel for his sterling contribution in its formation and development in the early years.”

CSA past president Luis Ayala-Parsi was equally moved by the news. “The port of Jamaica lost its main believer and supporter,” he shared. “I lost a very good friend with whom I shared many fond moments. My condolences to the family and all of you [Jamaicans].”

Past president Frank R. Wellnitz said: “The Caribbean shipping community has lost a visionary and Jamaica has lost a most dedicated all-weather, all-party servant.” He went on: “I met the Honourable Noel Hylton back in 1975 during the early stages of the Caribbean Shipping Association and he proved himself to be a strong proponent and contributor to the industry. Tony, as he liked to be called by his friends, understood the hub and transshipment concept and appreciated the role of feeder services in the region. One of his favorite mantras, as he sought to promote Jamaica as a major shipping point, was: ‘Where there are no feeders, there cannot be any mainliners’. A part of his commitment to the industry was reflected in his deep regard for the welfare of the men and women working in the port facilities. We will miss him. May he rest in peace.”

Knowledge

CSA past president Ainsley Morris remembers Noel Hylton as “a very balanced manager who sought to make sure that every member of the association was dealt with fairly. His encyclopaedic knowledge of shipping, gained through his years of service to the industry, is going to be difficult to replicate.”

Another CSA past president, David Harding, recalled: “I met Noel (Tony) Hylton in the mid 1970s, a period of great movement for the regional shipping industry driven by the fledgling Caribbean Shipping Association. Even then, Tony’s energy and dedication were the hallmarks of what was to be a long and rewarding career in the maritime business. He bestrode the industry both in Jamaica and the Caribbean as the colossus he was destined to become. Our friendship over the many years never waned. Rest in peace, Tony, my friend.”

Sounding-board

Corah Ann Robertson-Sylvester, who holds the distinction of being the only female among the past presidents of the CSA, said: “On a personal level, Mr Hylton was one of my super-heroes, always willing to give sound, calm advice when approached on industry matters and a great sounding-board for matters relating to the development of the CSA and how we got there. He was a great organiser and was instrumental in rallying the Caribbean shipping people together in the early days. He and the CSA’s first president, Peter Evelyn, were close colleagues and friends and came together in a meeting in The Bahamas [which later gave birth to the CSA] to share Jamaica’s experience in managing labor on the advent of containerization. I remember fondly his last visit with the CSA in 2011 and how excited he was to be there to meet old friends. He marveled at how the organisation had grown and the strength and power of the voices from the floor. Noel Hylton will be missed.”

Grantley Stephenson, immediate past president of the CSA, remembers Mr Hylton as “a visionary who served the Caribbean shipping fraternity unhesitatingly and selflessly. He was a proactive stalwart who grasped the budding potential to help mold the bedrock of the shipping industry that we have come to know today.” Mr Stephenson added: “It is we who are proud to have shared in the history of this great man. Our hearts are filled with great gratitude as we acknowledge the significant contribution made by Mr Hylton in service to the Caribbean and in particular the shipping industry. Our deepest condolences to his family. His legacy lives on.”

Tributes to the life and work of Mr Hylton have been coming in from all over the world.

Noel Hylton spoke to Caribbean Maritime in 2013 after his retirement from the Port Authority of Jamaica, where he had served as chairman for more than 40 years. The article featured in Issue 21 of Caribbean Maritime, which was published in January 2014, and can be accessed in the ‘Archives’ section on www.caribbean-maritime.com 

CSA’s drive to help storm-hit communities

The 2017 hurricane season was a very active one with six major hurricanes measuring Category 3 and above in a year when there were 17 named storms. In light of this devastation, members of the Caribbean Shipping Association embarked on pledges to help their neighbors to rebuild.

On 9 October, at the 47th Annual General Meeting in Barbados, the President of the CSA, David Jean-Marie, initiated a drive for members to contribute a pledge of US$ 10,000. At registration, each delegate received an envelope and was asked to participate in the CSA’s commitment to assist countries devastated by the hurricanes.

Antigua & Barbuda

The Ministry of Education was presented with a cheque for US$ 10,000 to rebuild the Sir McChesney George Secondary School, the only high school on the island of Barbuda. The school reopened with facilities so damaged that classes were kept to a minimum. The Director of Education, Clare Browne, thanked the CSA for this gesture and for recognizing that education was a strength in people’s development – a sentiment echoed by school principal John Mussington.

British Virgin Islands

The British Virgin Islands Port Authority received generators, flashlights and batteries as a part of the CSA pledges. The management team said the donation had been well received by port authority staff.

Dominica

The island of Dominica was badly hit by the hurricanes, with lives lost and families left to mourn the loss not only of loved ones but also of things acquired through hard work. The CSA donated items worth a total of US$ 10,000. Its donation to the islanders was not limited to material things but included an invitation to share their experience at an upcoming workshop in Fort Lauderdale on 16 May.

Sint Maarten

Sint Maarten received US$ 10,000 to cover various repair projects in the aftermath of the hurricanes. The Sint Maarten Development Fund embarked on assisting the children of Sint Maarten.

St Croix

The CSA donated US$ 7,500 to the St Croix Community Development Foundation to buy food and other essential items for the islanders.

US Virgin Islands

The CSA donated US$ 7,500 to the Virgin Islands Children’s Museum in Charlotte Amalie, where children were being housed in tented accommodation because the museum’s roof had been badly damaged by the hurricane. Following extensive work, the museum was due to reopen on 15 March this year to continue its mission to provide a congenial learning environment for children.

Social responsibility

The CSA collected US$ 75,000 of the pledged US$ 95,000 and has spent US$75,895 so far. This project is ongoing as there are still several ways in which the CSA hopes to assist. The 2018 hurricane season in the Caribbean region is due to commence on 1 June and is expected to end on 30 November. Until then the CSA, a non-profit organization, has deemed it prudent to be more active on behalf of its members in generously assisting those affected. It also hopes to have more members on board.

The CSA would like to thank the following companies and individuals whose pledges have been used to rebuild and repair broken facilities and spirits:

Barbados Port Inc.
Roland and Loretta Mains-Smith
Seaboard Marine Ltd
Silver Club
Windward Agencies
Port of Belize
Curaçao Port Authority
PLIPDECO
SAAM SMIT Towage
Shipping Association of Barbados
Guadeloupe Group
Jamaica Freight & Shipping
Gordon, Grant & Co
Fernando Rivera
Manzanillo International Terminal
Shipping Association of Trinidad & Tobago
Höegh Autoliners
Shipping Association of Guyana
Stevedoring Services
NV Havenbeheer
Haina International Terminals
Maritime Transport
Bryson Shipping
Spliethoff
Freight Handlers Ltd
Soreidom & Caribbean Line
Pooled contributions from the 47th AGM.