Caribbean Boatyard Updates: What’s New for 2024
Explore the latest updates and expansions across Caribbean boatyards, including new facilities, services, and improvements tailored for mariners during the peak hurricane season.
The peak month of hurricane season sees many boats throughout the Caribbean on the hard in the yard. To service the private and recreational fleets, which have been larger, broader, and techier in recent years, boatyards throughout the Caribbean have added infrastructure, services, and staff.
Here’s a sampling of what’s new:
| Turks & Caicos |
There’s a new boatyard manager at South Bank Marina Ltd., in Providenciales. Edwin Chavez brings over 20 years of experience managing boatyards and restoration to his position. In addition, the yard has added extra hurricane tie-down strap areas and more dealerships to its group and boat sales, which now include Yamaha, Honda, Seakeeper, Garmin, Invincible, Sailfish, Axopar, and Boston Whaler. It is getting a facelift, too, with a proper mechanic shop and spray tents. “We are still in the development phase for about 22 new slips to fit 160 ft vessels,” says Portia Mogal, operations manager. “We are also dredging to get to 12 feet at high tide and anticipate completing this by the end of 2024.” www.southbank.tc
| Jamaica |
A new spa, bar, and lounge have opened at the Errol Flynn Marina & Boatyard, in Port Antonio, which provides haul-out and storage for vessels up to 90 gross tons and maintains a contact list for local service providers. The spa is located at the east end of the facility. The Zaca Bar & Lounge is a new concessionaire who has renovated the poolside bar, grill, and restaurant above the marina’s administrative office. “This addition promises to be life-transforming, given the cool vibe of life in Port Antonio, and breathtaking views of the harbor,” says Donna Wilson, port manager. www.facebook.com/ErrolFlynnMarinaAndBoatYard/
| Dominican Republic |
Ocean World Marina & Boatyard, the only full-service facility on the island’s north coast, has doubled the size of its yard over the last three years due to demand. Security fencing is all around with keypad access control, perimeter lighting, cameras, and the usual 24/7 security guards. “We will soon put our new catamaran travel lift into operation, which can haul vessels up to 30 ton, 28-foot beam, and 6-foot draft, “ says Donna Simpson, the yard’s new customer and services liaison manager. “I arrange everything for haul-out and then work with the client to arrange our approved on-site contractors to undertake repairs and maintenance.” oceanworldmarina.com
The IBC Shipyard, on the island’s southeast in La Romana, has become an Authorized Marine Dealer for Caterpillar, says Giacomo Moriconi, general manager. “We can now provide service support for all boats with caterpillar engines onboard.” www.ibnauticagroup.com
| Puerto Rico |
In Fajardo, Safe Harbors Puerto del Rey’s yard has five travel lifts. “The most powerful of which is capable of hauling out vessels up to 150 tons,” says Orlando Alvarez, general manager. “There are four ‘deep keel’ holes to store sailboats during the hurricane season, and hurricane tie-down service for sailboats, power vessels, and catamarans up to 32.5 beam. Additionally, increased demand for repairs and maintenance means the yard has added Boat Doctors and Maritime Solutions to its list of over 14 on-site contractors.” shmarinas.com/locations/safe-harbor-puerto-del-rey/
| U.S. Virgin Islands |
C-Dock construction is underway at St. Croix Marine Center, in Gallows Bay, Christiansted, St. Croix. Completion will add 24 slips to the facility. “Store expansion is also in progress for the chandlery,” says the yard and marina manager Christian Herold. “When complete, this will nearly double the size, and we will increase the volume and scope of parts we carry for boat repairs and maintenance.” stcroixmarinecenter.com
| British Virgin Islands |
In Tortola, Nanny Cay Marina & Boatyard “provides a Haul and Launch, paint and polish service,” says maintenance manager Michael Winter. The yard also offers a dry sail program from November 1 to May 31st. nannycay.com/yacht-services/boatyard/
In Spanish Town, Virgin Gorda, the chandlery at the Virgin Gorda Yacht Harbour has moved to a new location at the Town Center Mall, close to the pharmacy. “In addition to the larger newer space at the chandlery, which will have an expanded assortment and new products, our Marina Mall will welcome new stores this season,” says Alejandro Chometowski, general manager. “These include The Lotus Center Spa, That’s The Spirit, and The Allamanda Gallery.” www.vgyh.vg
| St. Maarten |
FKG Marine, in Cole Bay, continues to focus on fabrication, hydraulics, metal fabrication, and Suzuki outboards. “We have some great new staff in our hydraulics department, adding professionalism and technical expertise,” says Norina Edelman, chief executive officer at International Marine Management & Dockside Management. “We also have a strong new head of fabrication with many years of experience in marine.” www.fkgmarine.com
| Antigua & Barbuda |
The new catamaran haul-out facility at Jolly Harbour Marina & Boatyard has seen a hive of activity since it opened at the beginning of May 2024. “Our customized MTL boat transporter is almost ready for the test run,” says Jo Lucas, general manager of the marina and yard owner, Eastern Caribbean Marina & Boatyard Ltd. Yard team leader, Mr. Lindsay Ralph, traveled to Port Napoleon, France, to oversee the test phase of this equipment, which is expected to be delivered to and operational in Antigua by the end of September 2024. jhmarina.com
North Sound Marine & Boatyard, at Crabb’s Peninsula on the island’s northern coast, is a Port of Entry for vessels 24 hours a day, year-round. Notable is the huge refit shed measuring 100 feet by 150 feet (built to Cat 4 specs), which enables specialized work to be completed out of the elements. “A commissary and new location of Budget Marine will be complete by October, and a laundromat by the end of December,” says Nnolika Joseph, business operations manager. northsoundmarine.com
| Guadeloupe |
IMM Guadeloupe continues to grow and increase its areas of specialization, including a specialty in working with super sailing yachts on rigging needs and complex carbon fiber works and repairs. “IMM’s facility in Guadeloupe remains, but IMM is also operational in St. Maarten, where we can complete all works afloat using the same high standards and technical expertise, along with technical resources from sister company FKG Marine,” says Edelman. imm-yachting.com
| Dominica |
The Dominica Marine Center in Roseau repairs powerboats up to 35’ LOA. “We are dealers for Mercury, Yanmar, and ZF, agents for Garmin and ARC Artic, and work closely with Cummins engines,” says Hubert Winston, managing director. www.dominicamarinecenter.com
| Martinique |
Carenantilles Boat & Shipyard at Le Marin is one of the largest refit centers in the Southern Caribbean, with 440-ton and 80-ton haul-out lifts. There is also a float-in/float-out drydock in Fort de France. The facility in Fort de France was under repair but has been open for business since January 2024 under the new management of the Sud Moteurs Group, according to Douglas Rapier, president of Douglas Yacht Services (DYS), in Le Marin, whose project management company works closely with both yards. “DYS has negotiated a simplified VAT-free procedure for yacht repair with customs. It is available to any visiting yacht. While some parts have a VAT-free status, this procedure benefits any significant haul-out and all labor costs during the repair period.” DYS is also the Caribbean agent for DYT/Sevenstar, of which Le Marin is a major drop-off/pick-up point for yacht transport. www.douglasyachtservices.fr
| St. Lucia |
There is a recently built bathroom and shower facility at IGY’s Rodney Bay Marina & Boatyard. www.igymarinas.com/marinas/rodney-bay-marina/
| Grenada |
Safety and security enhancements are new at Clarkes Court Boatyard and Marina, in Woburn, on the island’s southern shore. These include the installation of new channel markers to guide vessels to the marina safely and hiring more security personnel, with all security guards trained in Basic First Aid and Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting. New too, Clarkes Court has partnered with the Grenada Green Group (G3) in a plastic bottle recycling campaign. “We continue to offer and enhance a comprehensive range of services and work collaboratively with nearly a dozen expert subcontractors to ensure top-quality service,” says Raymond Burke, general manager. www.clarkescourtmarina.com
To the west at Spice Island Marine Services in Tru Blu, “We’re thrilled to announce the expansion of our yard, allowing us to accommodate more customers. Additionally, our partnership with Bravo Marine has flourished, bringing our service capabilities to a new level with a full-service marine mechanic shop on-site,” says the client engagement manager and company secretary, Sarah Evans. Spice Island also co-founded RISE Grenada (www.risegrenada.org), which supports recovery across Grenada, Carriacou, and Petite Martinique after Hurricane Beryl in July. www.spiceislandmarine.com
| Trinidad & Tobago |
There are several new updates at Peake Yacht Services, Ltd., in Chaguaramas, Trinidad. First, the boatyard has expanded by opening a 3-acre space dedicated to additional yacht storage. Secondly, enhanced tie-down solutions have come from utilizing heavy prestressed concrete piles, complementing the yard’s existing buried concrete and chain tie-down points. Third, Patches Seafood Bar and Restaurant will re-open in September. Fourth, “our waterfront recreation area has received a significant upgrade with more picnic tables, a stainless-steel BBQ pit, a Bluetooth sound system, and a projector screen for movie nights,” says Christopher Peake, director. “We are also excited to introduce a new workshop area for cruisers, which is coming soon and will allow them to carry out maintenance and repairs easily.” peakeyachts.com
| Bonaire |
Emergencies will still be an option, but as of now, there will be no yacht storage at Boat Yard Bonaire, in Kralendijk, starting in mid-2025, says Mark ten Hoopen, co-owner. This may change! www.boatyardbonaire.com
| Curaçao |
On the Pletterijweg in Willemstad, Curaçao Marine Zone is now a dealer and service center for Suzuki and Navico marine brands. “We have been working with the Port Authority to expand our dockage and dry storage area in the future,” says Gareth Weber, operations manager. curacaomarinezone.com
| Panama |
The 100,000 square feet of stabilized yard space with an enclosed 5,000 square feet sheltered space for refits, long-term secure storage space to accommodate up to 120 vessels, and 200 wet slips makes Shelter Bay Marina at the Panama Canal a great option for hurricane storage. “Our 100-ton travel lift can haul vessels up to 28 feet wide and 11-foot draft, and our 60-ton hydraulic trailer can move the vessel to the service position of your choice,” says Juan Boschetti, general marina operations manager. shelterbaymarina.com
Carol Bareuther has written for ALL AT SEA since 2004.
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