PORTLAND, Jamaica – The Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ) has sought to allay concerns arising from what appeared to be an unusual docking of the Silver Cloud cruise ship in Port Antonio, Portland on Wednesday.

Kimberley Stiff, assistant vice president for marketing communications at PAJ, advised that a request was made by the captain of the Silver Cloud for the ship to anchor outside the harbour and tender approximately 200 passengers.

This particular vessel specialises in expedition-type cruises and is therefore retrofitted to operate without berthing support, the PAJ said, adding that “normal cruise operations were undertaken and there were no disruptions to activities to report arising from the captain’s decision to go to anchorage.”

Observer Online obtained more details about the incident from Stiff.

“I have consulted with the terminal manager. The speculations are incorrect. The vessel wrote to the terminal manager seeking permission to anchor in the East Harbour. The captain reported challenges with the bow thrusters.

“Nonetheless, the vessel is an expedition cruise vessel and was fully equipped to handle tenders. The passengers were tendered to the floating dock at the Marina, where the terminal operations team moved to facilitate the operations for the day. All tours went out and returned as planned, and the vessel departed at 1730 hors,” said Stiff.

The visitors went rafting on the Rio Grande, and visited Blue Lagoon, Great Huts and Frenchman’s Cove.

– Everard Owen