The new US$15 million Port Antonio Marina which was opened last Thursday by Prime Minister P J Patterson has apparently impressed Portlanders, many of whom described it as an exciting and positive development for the town.

“This is the best thing that has ever happened to Portland and Port Antonio,” said Judith Orr, who attended a street concert in Port Antonio square shortly after the official opening.

Orr said the marina provided beautiful scenery and a relaxing atmosphere and was an ideal place to “hang out and ease the stress”.

Patterson, who boasted that the marina was completed on time and within budget, said it was “designed, planned, evaluated and implemented in accordance with the conditions, guidelines and approvals specified by the local and national regulatory agencies”.

He said it was his administration’s policy that any development in Portland must harmonise with the region’s fragile ecosystem, physical characteristic, culture, history and the approval of Portland’s citizens.

Patterson also said that he was satisfied that the project was ideally suited for Portland and would enhance and expand the tourism product. He said special initiatives were underway by the Ministry of Tourism and the Port Authority to attract boutique cruise ships which, he said, were appropriate for the town.

“Our promotion is now focussed on introducing Port Antonio to the European market as there are indications that the exclusivity of the Port and the surroundings are very appealing to the European visitor.

“So far, there have been some moderate success, for example, you will recall that the Sea Cloud cruise vessel made a visit in March of this year. That visit provided a model of market needs which we consider appropriate for Port Antonio and which is being pursued,” said Patterson.

He said that the M/V Braemar of the Fred Olsen Cruise Line out of the United Kingdom has already scheduled three calls to Port Antonio next year and the island’s tourism authorities were optimistic that the schedule would be increased.

To Portlander Keneisha Taylor, this was good news. “The whole development of the marina has done something good for Port Antonio and Jamaica on a whole,” she told the Observer. “It will help to bring back tourism here in Port Antonio and also develop the employment sector in Port Antonio.”

Taylor’s concern now, was for Port Antonio to be properly marketed and promoted abroad. “If this is not done,” she warned, “cruise ships will not come.”

The marina consists of:

. a reconstructed Ken Wright Cruise Pier and terminal

building;

. a two-storey multi-functional building;

. 32 berths that can take yachts up to 76 metres in

length;

. a promenade and access road with multiple shops and

several restaurants;

. a freezone boat yard;

. on-land storage for 50 boats;

. a multi-skilled repair facility; and

. facilities for the marine police.

Nordia Gordon, who was obviously excited by the project, told the Observer: “I think this is a great change and a good thing for Port Antonio. The first time I came to Port Antonio I thought it was a dump. Now the people have this, it will attract more people to come here and I will go out and tell people about it.”

Another Portland resident, Heather Gordon, described the marina as a good development which offered job possibilities for people in the parish.

“It will impact on the tourist industry, and with Mr (Butch) Stewart buying Dragon Bay it will bring more tourists here. It’s beautiful, the view is lovely.”

Neville Green, a Jamaica Union of Travellers Association (JUTA) tour operator, welcomed the development. “It is the first from I am in JUTA I have seen something positive that we can look forward to say something will be done,” he said.

“To me, it is very good. One of the best things in Portland for now.”

Green also expressed the hope that Jamaicans would visit the marina, but warned that they should “not litter the place and ruin it”.

A craft artist, who gave her name only as Marcia, said “Port Antonio deserves it, Jamaica deserves it. It is one of the most beautiful pieces of architecture sitting on the bay. This is great for the craft industry in Port Antonio”.

One man who did not give his name said the facility was good “but we are waiting to see what happens next”.