APRIL, 2010 ISSUE
TRANSCARAIBES RALLY LANDS APRIL 17– We are pleased to once again be selected to host a segment of the Transcaraibes Rally from Guadeloupe and the French West Indies departments. The annual rally starts in Point-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe, stops in French St, Martin, then the Dominican Republic, Haiti, An estimated 12-15 yachts, mostly catamarans, will be with us for approximately two days before they depart for Cienfuegos, Cuba, April 19, the final segment of the rally. In past years, several of the yachts also have called at Port Antonio for the return leg. A welcoming rum punch will be provided free by Marybelle’s Pub on the Pier, our new tenant at the pool bar. As in past years the rally group is expected to participate in extensive tours of the Port Antonio area.
CONCH REPUBLIC ‘NAVY’ ARRIVES – Our hats are off to the “Conch Republic Navy” who did yeoman service to a number of beleaguered Haitian communities too small to be reached by larger vessels. The small armada brought literally tonnes of supplies, including food, medical needs and clothing. The fleet came to nearby Port Antonio following their Haitian sojurn for a little R&R and to resupply before the return to Key West (Also referred to by many as the Conch Republic). This was another return visit of the Schooner Wolf, flagship of the Conch Republic. “Wolf” is patterned after the blockade runners that plied the waters of the Florida Straits, Caribbean and Atlantic in the 19th Century. Wolf is fondly remembered for when it brought hurricane relief goods to Port Antonio after Hurricane Gilbert in 1988. Gilbert was one of the largest Category Five tropical cyclones ever recorded, causing mass devastation to Jamaica and elsewhere in the Caribbean.
ALL IN A DAY’S WORK – Often we are asked just what we do in our job of managing one of the most spectacular marinas in the Caribbean?….Our reply: “Whatever it takes!” We must admit that sometimes the challenges are a bit strange like recently when a distraught crew person returned from Kingston airport late at night to tell us that the ticket booked for him to return to Singapore was issued for Kingston, Ontario, and not Kingston Jamaica! Further complicating the problem were money matters and the fact that the boat on which he had been crewing was already well on its way to Columbia. Our office managed to contact the yacht on a SSB link, got some credit card info and rebooked the young man from the correct Kingston, to Singapore, two days later. Whatever it takes!
OLD MARINA TO GET FACELIFT SOON– We are pleased to announce that starting in May, the “old marina” officially known as the Port Antonio Marina, will be leased by the Sir Henry Morgan Angling Association, sponsors of the International Marlin Tournament every year. Plans include extensive renovations to the old structure and the inclusion of an Irish Pub Restaurant, specializing in seafood. The venture is expected to be in full operational form in time for the 2010-2011 season. This year will mark the 47th running of the Port Antonio International Marlin Tournament Oct. 9 to 16. For registration details, contact Dr. Ron DuQuesnay, 876/927-0145 or by email at rondq@mail.infochan.com
RUSALKA SWINGS FRIDAYS, SATURDAYS– if you’re up to hearing some of the best live blues and jazz in the area, be sure to swing by the new Rusalka Restaurant and Bar, on the first floor of the Marina Administration Building. “Rusalka” is the Russian word for “mermaid” or “sea nymph”. While the name is Russian, the menu is wide and varied including numerous international and Jamaican entrees. Of course, if you do fancy some first rate tasty traditional Russian borsch (or borscht if you prefer), that’s on the menu too! Love that tangy beet soup! Rusalka is open every day from 11 a.m. through late evening. For reservations call 298-8773.
JAZZ ON THE PIER JUNE 19 – Episode Two of “Jazz on the Pier” will unfold Saturday, June 19 as part of the Ocho Rios Jazz Festival. Following its successful kickoff in 2009, the event will feature a collection of both Jamaican and international artists playing to aid a Jamaican charity. Tickets will be $500.00 Jamaican dollars or only about $5.60 USD. Slated to be back again by popular demand is Trish Chamberlain, the so-called “retired” jazz-blues songstress who captivated the audience at the 2009 edition with her “Lady is a Tramp” and several other well-delivered numbers. She will be backed up by long-time keyboard whiz, Peter Stoddart. Announcement of the full show venue is expected in early May, according to Lennon Crooks, event producer.
SEAN FLYNN REMAINS FOUND? – Sean Flynn, legendary war photographer and son of our marina’s famous actor namesake, went missing in Cambodia some 40 years ago. Just a few weeks ago a jaw and femur bone, plus some clothing fragments believed to belong to the 28 year old Flynn were located and have been sent to the USA’s Hawaii based Accounting Command which identifies missing Americans from past wars. Confirmation of the find is expected to take several months. For some fascinating reading on Flynn’s exploits in Vietnam and Cambodia, check out http://www.salem-news.com/articles/march292010/sean-flynn-tk.php
CUBA INFO APLENTY – Want to get the latest on sailing or travel to and in Cuba? Check out Marybelle at her Pub on the Pier (Pool Bar). Also, our good friend, Commodore Escrich of the Club Nautico International Hemingway in Havana, has a new website worth viewing: www.cubaseas.com It is interesting to note that for the first time, there were two Cuba booths at the recent Miami International Boat Show. Hopefully this is foretelling that there will be a softening of the USA embargo and travel ban sometime in the near future. We all envision a new central Caribbean cruising ground that will encompass the north side of Jamaica, the Cayman Islands and the south coast of Cuba. Presently USA vessels are prohibited from visiting Cuba, but we note numerous USA sailors visit this forbidden island (Cuba) in spite of the sanctions of the rarely enforced USA Trading With The Enemies Act! (TWEA).
HAULOUT SPECIALS! How’s this for size: 40-foot yacht haulout and relaunch for just USD $200.00!. That’s just a paltry $5 a foot! Top that off with our low seasonal rates for dry storage and you have an unbeatable combination. Oh! And be sure to inquire about taking advantage of our generous cash discounts. What’s even better, you’ll have your yacht in one of the best hurricane holes in the Caribbean and will be able to start the next season at the Caribbean’s most attractive yacht harbour. For complete details, contact George Munro, our Travelift specialist and operations manager- 876-715-6044 or email gmunro@portjam.com
PORT ANTONIO DUBBED “OFFICIAL” CONCH NAVY PORT– In a ceremony sprinkled with a generous helping of rum punch and sea shanties, Port Antonio and Errol Flynn Marina were official “dubbed” the Caribbean port of the Conch Republic Navy by the Admiral of the Fleet himself, his Ugliness, Finbar, Admiral and First Sea lord of the Conch Republic. Along with this high honor, Marina Manager Dale Westin was named an honorary Commander of the Conch Republic Navy, George Munro, marina dockmaster, was named Honorary Adjutant and Marybelle of the Pub on the Pier (and purveyor of the rum punch), was declared honorary “morale” officer. Admiral Finbar, complete with appropriate cannon fire, vowed a return visit of the Conch Republic Fleet before year’s end. Appropriate certificates of the honorary appointments plus a official flag of the Conch Republic were presented to the marina representatives. Finbar was presented with an appropriate pirate galleon model crafted from a cow’s jawbone and horns.
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—18⁰11.65’N, 76⁰26.875W – Use DMA Chart 26129 or Admiralty 458 (Recommended)
Opinions Expressed in this Publication are those of the Editor and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Port Authority of Jamaica
