MAY, 2010
JAZZ ON THE PIER #2 SET – Jazz on the Pier was introduced to Port Antonio in 2009 in association with the popular Ocho Rios Jazz Festival. The second annual Jazz on the Pier will be held from 7 p.m. Friday, June 18, again under the sponsorship of the Custos of Portland and the Justices of the Peace Association. Again the event proceeds will go entirely to a deserving charity which this year is the Muirton Boys Home, also located in Portland Parish. According to Lennon Crooks, producer of the event, the show will include a cross section of international and Jamaican jazz artists. Tickets are available at the Errol Flynn Marina for $1,000.00 Jamaican Dollars ($12.00 US).
GETTING READY FOR CLIPPER 2010 – The 2009-10 Round the World Clipper Race is scheduled to roll into Port Antonio for the third time on or about Friday, May 21. The ten matched racing yachts will be sailing from Panama to Port Antonio, then on to New York and the final leg to the UK. The ten yacht field includes the “Jamaica Lightning Bolt” which has been holding a comfortable second place as the group crossed the Pacific to California and then to Panama. There will be a significant number of crew changes at Port Antonio and a large gathering of well-wishers always accompanies any port call the fleet makes. The Jamaica Tourist Board, sponsor of the Jamaica entry, will also be hosting a large welcoming-awards party on the Ken Wright Pier at the marina. For those planning on seeing the yachts at the marina, it is recommended that the arrival be confirmed closer to the anticipated date inasmuch as this could change depending on transit time through the Panama Canal. The marina can be contacted at 876-715-6044 or 876-993-3209.
NAVY HIGH SPEED VESSEL TO VISIT – For the third time in several years, the U.S. Navy’s High Speed Vessel “HSV2 Swift” will be berthed at the Boundbrook Wharf in Port Antonio from Saturday, May 8 to Friday May 21. The vessel crew will participate in joint exercises with the Jamaica Defense Force as part of its mission here. The vessel is easily recognized by its unusual catamaran design that makes it look like something out of a science fiction film. Because of the vessel’s origin in the Australian State of Tasmania and its design, it is frequently referred to as the “Taz” or Tasmanian Devil.
GREAT EVENTS HAPPEN AT THE MARINA – Looking for a really elegant venue for your wedding, company meeting or business reception? Several Errol Flynn Marina facilities are available for short term event lease. These include the Ken Wright Pier, Cruise Terminal Building and the Marina Beach. Contact Christine Downer, marina events coordinator, for complete details: 876/715-6044 or cdowner@portjam.com
LIKE A REALLY BIG TV PICTURE? – Check out the 12-foot television picture at Marybelle’s Pub on the Pier, especially if you want to see every detail of the world cup play this next month. The recently installed projection high definition TV is accompanied by a new system that gives theatre quality picture and audio. The pool bar is open every day from noon. When no significant sports event is being broadcast, popular music videos and special films are offered. The bar’s popular Blue Monday parties feature $100 JAD rum punch and music videos of the past. In addition, there are regular keyboard-guitar sessions along with the regular Monday venue.
THANK YOU TO OUR VISITORS! – In spite of the worldwide economic downturn we have all experienced during the past year and more, we are pleased to note a steadily increasing number of yachts calling at Port Antonio. Thanks for your confidence in us!
ON-SITE CATERING SERVICES – Errol Flynn Marina has the distinction of having two professional catering services on site and both offer special party venues at their respective restaurants. These include Norma’s Beach Bar and Grille (Tel: 876-993-9510) and the Rusalka Restaurant and Bar (876-298-8773). Live jazz entertainment is featured every Friday and Saturday nights at Rusalka, on the first floor of the marina administration building (That’s actually the second floor for our Yankee readers!).
PRESCRIPTION FOR THOSE HOT, SULTRY NIGHTS – It.s that time of the year when the days and even nights can get a bit uncomfortable from the heat. There’s no better way to chill out a bit than grabbing one of those creamy ice cream cones from our very own “Scoops” on the marina promenade. Check out the pleasure of just strolling the promenade, ice cream in hand, or just cooling it along the way in one of our many colourful gazebos.
WELCOME NEW TENANT! – We welcome the Sir Henry Morgan Angling Association to our cadre of marina tenants as they assume management of the Port Antonio Marina on the Boundbrook side of the West Harbour. While certainly not newcomers to the area, the association has been running International Marlin Tournaments from Port Antonio for 47 years! According to Dr. Ron duQuesnay, chair of the group, their plans include some serious upgrades to the aging facility which will include a seafood restaurant and Irish Pub. The facility will also be available for special event rentals. This year’s tournament dates are Oct. 9 through Oct. 16. For details on the tournament or the new property, contact Dr. duQuesnay at 876-927-0145 or email to rondq@mail.infochan.com
PRIMO PORTLAND FACILITIES AVAILABLE – Several properties of the Port Authority of Jamaica surrounding the Port Antonio West Harbour offer outstanding business opportunity for entrepreneurial operators. These include the former Rum, Roast and Royals building on the Errol Flynn Marina compound. This facility is ideally suitable as a combination delicatessen-gourmet shoppe. Also available is an office facility formerly occupied by the Tourist Product Development Company (TPDCO). This is ideally situated in the main marina administration building and could be suitable for a travel agency, marine products store, provisioner, etc. In addition, the marina boatyard, located on the Boundbrook side of the harbour is a excellent turnkey operation ready for the right operator-investor to take over. The boatyard has been designated by the Jamaican government as a duty-tax free location. For details and information on the various leasing opportunities, please contact Dale Westin, marina general manager at 876-477-6914 or email to dwestin@portjam.com
ERROL FLYNN WEEK PLANS – The annual Errol Flynn Ball will be held tentatively Oct. 16 this year and a full Errol Flynn Pirate Fest Week is in the process of being developed for Spring, 2011. The ball will again be held on the Ken Wright Pier at the marina and will be presented with much the same format as in 2009. Patron of the event is Mrs. Patrice Wymore Flynn, widow of the famed swashbuckling actor. Flynn is attributed with bringing much notoriety to Jamaica and Port Antonio in particular. Flynn popularized rafting cruises on the Rio Grande River just west of Port Antonio, utilizing the many long bamboo boats that had once carried the giant banana bunches from the hills to awaiting banana boats berthed in Port Antonio’s twin harbours.
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)
