KINGSTON, Jamaica — Eight boats will sail off at 8:30 am on Thursday for the Superstars of Port Antonio International Marlin Tournament at the Errol Flynn Maria in Portland.

Tournament Director Robert “Bobby” Stewart said this year’s tournament has been impacted by the weather with the formation of hurricanes therefore reducing what would have been a larger fleet, to only eight participating boats.

“This is the smallest one we’ve run. For the last seven or eight days there’s been a lot of weather forecast about the impending hurricane that was developing, a lot of uncertainty so a lot of the boats, especially the boats from overseas were just not sure when they could make the run and when the storm was going to happen. As it happens now the storm has formed…and some of the boats that really wanted to be here just couldn’t make it,” Stewart shared.

He added, however, that with only eight boats, they were “still going to have a great time”.

The defending champions from the Cayman Islands were fortunately able to fly in and will charter a boat in order to participate.

In its eighth year, the annual Superstars of Port Antonio International Marlin Tournament will see top anglers and marlin fishers vie for US$330,000 in cash prizes and trophies across multiple categories.

The tournament ends on Saturday.

— Everard Owen