January, 2011 -Our 38th Edition
OFT-OVERLOOKED MARINA AREA? Now is the season for the hundreds of orchid trees that line Ken Wright Drive from the marina’s west gate to the helicopter landing area. As the west gate is only opened for special events, the area rarely gets viewed, but we recommend a leisurely stroll along the nearly half-kilometre display of these beautiful trees. And…don’t forget the camera! The West Drive also abuts one of the most protected areas of the marina park; the mangrove swamp which serves as a type of nursery for numerous varieties of marine life.
YOGA FOR WOMEN STARTS JAN.11 – Yoga Classes will begin on the pool patio every Tuesday from 4 to 5:15 p.m. with Mangal Jot as instructor. An introductory session will be held on Tuesdsay, Jan 4 at the same time. Classes are sponsored by Marybelle’s Pub on the Pier. Described as for “every woman wanting to de-stress, relax, and renew,” the classes are intended to bring into harmony body, mind and breath, thus building strength and increasing flexibility; as well as encouraging balance, awareness, clarity, good health and serenity, according to the instructor. Participants are encouraged to wear loose comfortable clothing and to bring a towel and water and avoid eating for one hour before class. For details call 876-585-7994.
MARINA RATE INCREASES EFFECTIVE JAN.1 – After a near moratorium on marina rate increases for the past eight years, we now find ourselves in a position to require some price adjustments. Moorage rates will remain at $US 10.00 per day plus a $2.00 garbage removal fee. An additional US$2.00 will be charged for each person in excess of two aboard moored (anchored) yachts. Dockage rates will be as follows: Under 50 feet seasonal is US 70 cents per foot while transients will pay US 95 cents per foot. Yachts in excess of 50 feet and less than 100 feet will be charged US $1.15 seasonally and transients will pay $1.75. Vessels exceeding 100 feet will be charged $2.25 per foot transient and $2.10 per foot seasonal. Boatyard rates will also reflect some increases; namely haul and launch rates will now be $7.50 USD per foot and chocking will be an additional $30.00 USD. This still remains the lowest rate in the Caribbean for this type of service. Term storage rates in the boat yard will be US 55 cents per foot for 21 days or less. More than 21 days will cost US 45 cents per foot. Personnel living aboard yachts in the boatyard will be charged an additional US$10.00 daily.
MOVIN’ ON UP- Our hat is off to Christine Downer, our efficient marina office manager, for recently receiving her Master of Business Administration Degree in Banking and Finance from the University of the West Indies. This was no easy task over a number of years for a working mother; considering classes are in Kingston; a two-hour (or more) drive each way from Port Antonio.
PEACE CORPS PROJECT ADVANCES- Errol Flynn Marina Boatyard will be cooperating with the United States Peace Corps and the Heart Trust/NTA School to provide training in fiberglass repair and fabrication. Peace Corps Volunteer Jerry Pitts, a veteran of more than 30 years experience in the FRP industry, is class instructor. One class project will include the fabrication of 17th Century British Naval canons reproductions molded from originals recently uncovered by the Errol Flynn Marina maintenance staff on nearby Titchfield Peninsula.
THE OLD CUBA WATCHER- . We keep seeing more and more signs of Cuba’s marinas wanting to prepare for the USA invasion (not literally of course) of their shores once the draconian half-century old travel ban for USA citizens is finally lifted by the American Congress. It is, of course, an expected follow-up to President’s Obama’s recent lifting of travel to and from Cuba for the country’s exiles and anyone who can prove a Cuban ancestral connection, regardless of how remote that might be. While a Cuban exile cannot re-enter Cuba other than by commercial airline, a significant number of Americans born with Cuban ancestry are taking advantage of the new law and arriving by yacht, mostly at the north coast’s Marina Hemingway in Havana and the nicely upgraded Marina Gaviota in Varadero to the east. We were recently pleased to host Placido Vega Sanchez, representing Mega Yacht Services, Inc. which operates at a significant number of the country’s marinas. Discussion centered on how a new Central Caribbean cruising ground would likely emerge once the USA travel ban is lifted
AND A BIG “HAPPY 84” PAT! We have long been amazed at the exceptional durability of Pat Flynn, widow of our marina’s namesake, who celebrated her 84th year on Dec. 17. Pat, known professionally at Patrice Wymore, runs a cattle ranch of several thousand acres just east of the marina and regularly calls by at the marina to greet well-wisher’s and “just check in.” If you enjoyed George Clooney and Julia Roberts in “Oceans Eleven”, you may wish to take in the original version with Frank Sinatra and the legendary “Rat Pack”. In that version, Mrs. Flynn played the Julia Roberts role as Johnny Ocean’s girlfriend.
133 METRE YACHT VISITS JAMAICA- The “M/Y Al Mirqab”, the world’s eighth largest private yacht visited Jamaica Dec. 21-22, reportedly enroute to the Cayman Islands following earlier visits to Cuba. The yacht, carrying a crew of some 70 or more, is the largest private yacht to ever call at Jamaica. The yacht is owned by Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber Al Than and has a unique diesel electric propulsion system producing an impressive 140,000kw of power. The yacht “Dubai” is presently the largest but will soon be exceeded by Abraham Abromovich’s “Eclipse”.
WE’RE MIAMI BOUND IN FEB.- The 2011 edition of the Miami International Boat Show unfolds Feb. 17-21 at the Miami Beach Convention Center and Errol Flynn Marina and Boatyard will be there as usual . We’ll be located in Booth 1950 in the new “Destination Room” which concentrates the various worldwide marina venues and resorts in one central location. For complete details, including schedule of events, ticket pricing, parking info, go to www.miamiboatshow.com. The Miami Show, combined with Strictly Sail and the International Brokerage Show, also on Miami Beach, makes for the largest concentration of boat displays anywhere in the world. Free shuttle buses connect all three shows with each other and remote parking locations.
“365 SHOTS” NEW YEAR PARTY AT RUSALKA- While we are somewhat uncertain of the full meaning of the party title, it’s secondary title, ” Pirate’s New Year’s at the Marina” gets the point across clearly. This gala will be from 10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 31 and wind up at 6 a.m. on New Year’s Day. . Entertainment includes DJ Imbrue, Crimson Heart, Replica, Robot Taxi, Craig “Phlea” Lee and Bobby Cusser. For reservations call 715-5756 or 296-6794.
SOUTHBOUND AND DOWN- It’s that time of the year when those sleek fishing machines head down to Las SueÅ„os and other key fishing grounds on Costa Rica’s Pacific side. With Errol Flynn Marina’s approximate mid-way point between South Florida and the Panama Canal, most take on needed fuel here in Jamaica. In recent years there has been a proliferation of up market fishing resort marinas lining that country’s Pacific coastline.
5K RACE TO INCLUDE MARINA JAN. 23- The National Health Fund, in collaboration with Running Events Ltd., will stage a 5K Run/Walk Sunday, Jan. 23, 2011, starting at 3:30 p.m. Staging area will be at Folly Estate on the east side of Port Antonio adjacent to East Harbour. The race route will be: Start at Folly Estate, proceed west on Allan Avenue onto Harbour Street, turn left on West Street, thence right through the Erol Flynn Marina West Gate, exiting on Fort George Street, turn left onto Gideon Avenue, then right on Foreshore Road and continuing onto Allan Avenue and ending at Folly Estate. For additional details, contact Running Events Ltd. At 876-922-8673.
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES -.Several excellent marina properties are available for lease by the Port Authority of Jamaica. These include the former duty-free shop of Rum, Roast and Royals which is adjacent to the Ken right Cruise Pier and Terminal. This location has plenty of parking, outstanding security and is ideal for a sidewalk café or gourmet shop. Additional facilities include office space formerly occupied by the Tourist Product Development Corporation (TPDCO) prior to their office consolidations. Contact General Manager Dale B. Westin for details at 876-715-6044 or email dwestin@portjam.com
Errol Flynn Marina and Shipyard
Box 188-Ken Wright Drive- Port Antonio, Portland, Jamaica, W. I.
Tel: 876-715-6044 or 876-993-3209 Fax: 876-715-6033
www.errolflynnmarina.com – email: info@errolflynnmarina.com
VHF Channel 16/9—18-11.65’N, 76-26.875W – Use DMA Chart 26129 or Admiralty 458 (Recommended)
