The Barbados Port Inc. (BPI) has committed $3 million to the construction of three new berths for commercial vessels at the Careenage and a new dedicated dock for party boats in Bridgetown.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO), David Jean-Marie, said the new berthing arrangements ensure business continuity for Barbados Port Inc.’s tenants during the demolition and construction phases of the neighbouring Pierhead Project, which is being executed by the private entity, Miss Daisy Investment Inc., south of the Careenage.
There are 47 tenants at the Careenage, among them boat owners, water sports operators and those involved in island tours, pleasure cruising and fishing.
The new berths, two at 140 feet in length and one at 80 feet long, can accommodate 10 catamarans. Additional changes implemented at the Careenage include the relocation of the monohull commercial vessels offering fishing and other island tours to the Inner Basin, which now accommodates 40 vessels.
The new dock, located in the area of the Bridgetown Fisheries Complex, will serve the MV Dream Chaser and its three ancillary vessels, as well as the MC Buccaneer.
Construction of the facilities, all outfitted with utility stanchions for the provision of water and electricity, was undertaken by Ocean and Land Consultancy Service and is now in service.
To further assist in enabling operations, the BPI has engaged two persons to serve as Bridgemen, raising and lowering the Chamberlain Bridge to facilitate vessel access in and out of the Careenage.
Mr. Jean-Marie extended thanks to the boating community for the patience they exhibited during the extended period of searching for solutions and the completion of construction.
“We recognise the importance of maintaining occupancy and vibrancy at the waterfront, given its critical importance to both land-based and cruise tourism as well as the local cruising industry, and so we sought to ensure that operators would have reasonable and indeed enhanced facilities with attendant services from which to operate over the next few years,” the CEO said.