September is peak hurricane month in the Caribbean and it’s the ideal time for boats to be on the hard and in the yard. Here’s a roundup of what’s new from a sampling of boatyards throughout the region:
Turks & Caicos Islands. New at the Southbank Marina and Boatyard, in Providenciales, is a small boat concierge program that offers full vessel management, monthly maintenance, daily concierge plus food and beverage packages. “We have now started up boat sails for new and brokerage vessels and have launched a boat syndication program where you own a share of a brand-new boat and we carry out all the maintenance, cleaning, insurance, and repairs,” says Nicky Souter, technical yacht and sales manager. Southbank is the Sailfish and Invincible boat dealer for TCI. www.southbank.tc
Dominican Republic. The IBC Shipyard in La Romana, adjacent to Marina Casa de Campo, has added two lifts: a rafter lift, with a loading capacity from 2800 to 8300 pounds, and an articulating boom lift SJ45, that enables the yard to carry out exterior work at higher heights more effectively. “We’ve upgraded our electrical system to provide electricity for yachts up to 100’, and expanded our brand representation with Seakeeper Ride, Simrad by Navico, Humphree AB, and Starlink,” says Leonor Castro, business development manager. www.facebook.com/ibcshipyard
Puerto Rico. Safe Harbor Puerto Del Rey is undergoing a $6 million investment into property expansion and renovation, which includes a range of new amenities and accommodation upgrades. “Speaking more to these renovations, our elevated amenities will include a state-of-the-art pool with a kids’ area, outdoor bar and grill, a gym equipped with high-speed Wi-Fi, and refreshed hotel accommodations, enabling members to work efficiently while also having the opportunity to relax and unwind during their time ashore,” says Emily Burchwell, senior marketing manager for Safe Harbor Marinas. The property is also investing in additional contractor space for boatyard needs and upgrading its existing facilities to further enhance the overall experience for members and guests.” shmarinas.com/locations/safe-harbor-puerto-del-rey
U.S. Virgin Islands. The St. Croix Marine Center, in Christiansted, St. Croix, is expanding. The company is now an authorized reseller for Garmin Electronics. The chandlery is expanding to nearly twice its existing size with more stock. A rebuild of C-Dock is underway, which will increase slips from 24 to 44, and two additional moorings are being added bringing the total to 7. “We remain the only full-service marina and haul-out facility on St Croix, the only authorized Mercury dealer on the island, and have a full-time professional boat detailer with 15 years of experience and an in-house yacht broker,” says Christian Herold, yard and marina manager. stcroixmarinecenter.com
Beyond Nassau & Freeport: Unveiling the Bahamas’ Top 10 Cruising Gems
British Virgin Islands. There are now two hydraulic trailers – 40T and 60T, which can move vessels up to 60’ and 75’ respectively, at Nanny Cay Marina & Boatyard, according to Michael Winter Jr., inventory and sales association and social media manager. The full-service boatyard offers storage for 300 monohulls and 100 catamarans, has two boat lifts: a 70T Wide-body Marine Travelift capable of lifting catamarans with a beam up to 32’, as well as a 50T Marine Travelift capable of lifting monohulls to 55’ in length.
nannycay.com/boatyard
St. Martin, FWI & St. Maarten, NA. After a pandemic pause, the Time Out Boat Yard, adjacent to the Sandy Ground Bridge in Marigot, has resumed its December to May Flea Market on the first Saturday of the month. Beyond this, “we do our best to have a friendly yard with proper conditions for our customers to feel at home when storing or repairing their boats,” says Keith Ellison, operator. Last December, Island Water World, with Dutch-side locations in Cole Bay and Phillipsburg and French-side in Marigot, added the Achilles brand to the inventory of Highfield and Caribe Ribs up to 20’ they sell and rig, according to Gaby Eman, managing director. The company can haul ribs up to 20’ with its Taylor Forklift, store them short-term or long, and provide services like pressure washing, applying antifouling, and applying protecting coating on Hypalon tubes. www.facebook.com/tobysarl, www.islandwaterworld.com
The Moorings BVI: Exciting Upgrades and Fleet Expansion in the British Virgin Islands
Antigua & Barbuda. Plans are underway to expand hauling and storage to include Catamarans at Jolly Harbour Boatyard & Marina, owned by Eastern Caribbean Marina & Boatyard Ltd., in Jolly Harbour. “We are adding a boatyard designated to Catamaran storage, an additional 85T Travelift, 70’ twin piers, and a customized self-propelled boat mover,” says Jo Lucas, general manager. “We continue to improve the customer experience, keeping up with the latest trends, by offering a complete range of marina and boatyard services, to all our customers.” Recycling of aluminum cans and clear plastic bottles is also now being promoted at Jolly Harbour. Antigua Slipway, in English Harbour, recently completed the rebuild of its cradle for its marine railway and is taking bookings. The marine railway can haul monohulls and catamarans with beams up to 40’, length overall of 200’ with a maximum weight of 150T “We have already hauled two vessels on the marine railway: MV Island Escape, a fiberglass catamaran ferry servicing Antigua & Barbuda and MV Mr Ray, an impressive a steel cargo vessel weighing 120T servicing Anguilla and St Marteen,” says Roberto Falangola, managing director. Devon Norris is the new yard manager, coming home to Antigua after working at the Nanaimo Boatyard in British Columbia, Canada. Lastly, the company is completing a storage area with three 20’ air-conditioned containers and one 40’ container, which will be available for rent starting next month. North Sound Marina, in Parham, is now a Port of Entry and Exit for vessels visiting Antigua, according to Nnolika Joseph, business operations manager. Offices of the Port Authority, Customs and Excise, and Immigration operate here 7 days a week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Additionally, an Indoor Refit Shed sized 160’ by 100’ with a height clearance of 75’ is now available for refits each year from January 1 to March 31 for short-term indoor repair projects. There’s year-round outdoor space available for long-term refits. www.jhmarina.com, www.antiguaslipway.com, northsoundmarine.com
Grenada. The one-two punch of COVID with vessels left in the yard and volcanic ash dusting boats in 2020, led the trained team at Grenada Marine, in St. David’s Harbor, to introduce a guardianage service last year. This includes monthly checks of the vessel’s overall interior and exterior condition with a report that includes pictures and videos. “This is designed to help customers stay connected to their vessels and prevent problems,” says Pamela Lendzion. The company has also become the warranty and aftermarket base for Balance performance catamarans. Clarkes Court Boatyard & Marina, in Woburn, has constructed a new mast storage rack. Clients can now safely remove and store their mast for the season should this be required based on the work needed to be done to their vessels. In April, the company hosted its inaugural Expo for local vocational school and community college students. “The expo aimed to broaden their perspectives and showcase the various career paths and possibilities within the yachting and marine industry, while providing prospective employers a sneak peek into creative and talented minds available locally,” says Raymond Burke, general manager. Spice Island Marine Services, in True Blue, has recently completed a yard expansion that offers increased storage capacity, as well as new docks with 14 Med-Moor style marina slips with 50/60hz power available. “The yard is increasing its sustainability efforts with newly installed solar panels to offset electrical usage and a 100% electric vehicle for our in-house broker and driver, Solomon Jeremiah, who is a helpful resource for customers needing items shipped and cleared through customs. Customers will also enjoy an expanded Budget Marine chandlery,” says Sarah Evans, client engagement manager, and company secretary. www.grenadamarine.com, www.clarkescourtmarina.com, www.spiceislandmarine.com
Trinidad & Tobago. Opened in August at Peake Yacht Services, in Chaguaramas, is the new Patches Seafood & Grill restaurant. “We also have a new electronics shop which is a licensed dealer for all Victron systems and other electrical accessories. Our dinghy dock has been renewed and we continue to renovate our hotel rooms. We have built a new sea wall and expanded our gardens to continue beautifying our waterfront,” says Christopher Peake, store manager at Peake Trading Ltd. peakeyachts.com
Aruba. There’s a new on-site fuel dock at Varadero Aruba Marina & Boatyard, with hours 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays. “We also have 4 Varadero guest rooms available for short-term stays and we’ve added space for approximately 50 more boats on dry storage,” says Malayka Rasmijn, marketing manager. www.varaderoaruba.com
Bonaire. Boat Yard Bonaire is now the Honda and Sole dealers on the island, says owner, Mark Ten Hoopen. www.boatyardbonaire.com
Panama. There is new management at the Shelter Bay Marina Boat Yard, situated at the entrance to the Panama Canal. “Hernan Hernandez has joined the team, reinforcing the supervisory staff and bringing additional ABYC Course Training into the employees and operations,” says Juan Boschetti, general manager. There are new mechanical services too with Blue Jack Marine, certified in Yanmar, Yamaha, and Volvo Penta, on-site 24/7. Located some 30 miles southeast of the Panama Canal entrance, the Linton Bay Marina’s yard’s east wing has been expanded to nearly double the number of yachts stored to 70. “We have the biggest Travel Lift out of the marinas in Panama. It can lift up to 160T with beams as wide as thirty-nine’,” says Michael Olinde, assistant general manager. “We’ve also just opened an ATM, the only one in a 10-mile radius. shelter baymarina.com, www.lintonbaymarina.com
