ERROL FLYNN GALA SET NOV. 14 – The Errol Flynn Centennial Ball for the benefit of the Port Antonio Marching Band will unfold on the Ken Wright Pier and Terminal Building Saturday night, Nov. 14 at 7 p.m. The event marks the 100th year since the legendary actor’s birth and also the 50th year since his passing. Ball goers will be welcomed in the parking lot with a performance by the Marching Band followed by a cocktail hour from 7 p.m. Cocktail music will be the keyboard styling of Peter Stoddart and the Blues/Jazz voice of Trish Chamberlain. From approximately 8 p.m. to midnight, there will be dancing to the sounds of the late Sonny Bradshaw’s Big Band featuring many of the great band sounds of the 50’s-60’s era. The décor of the pier will be highlighted by an actual lighted dance floor of that era. During the course of the evening there will be a presentation by Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett to Mrs. Patrice Wymore Flynn (Errol’s widow) who resides in Port Antonio. The presentation will posthumously honor the contributions of Errol Flynn to popularize the Port Antonio as a tourism destination. Flynn was largely responsible for revitalizing the bamboo rafting on the Rio Grande River and also operated the Titchfield Hotel in Port Antonio. Numerous sponsors are on board for the event, providing food and drink throughout the evening. Various eating establishments will be providing special hors d’oeuvres at designated intervals. Tickets, priced at $5,000.00 Jamaican Dollars (About $57.00 USD) will be limited to only 500 for the evening and are predicted to sell out in advance of the Ball. Tickets can be obtained at Stewart Auto Sales, 6 Orchard Road, Kingston, Tel 876/968-0930 or through the Errol Flynn Marina in Port Antonio, 876-715-6044. The Ball is being presented by the Ocho Rios Jazz Festival, an outreach programme, in association with the Portland Chamber of Commerce.
MARINA IS BLUE FLAG ONE MORE TIME- For the third time, we have been awarded the coveted “Blue Flag Marina” designation. The Blue Flag moniker is often considered to be a “Clean Marina Plus” considering the intensive scrutiny the facility must undergo to qualify. The Blue Flag programme is monitored by Errol Flynn Marina’s Administrative Manager Christine Downer. The award was presented in a special reception at the Couples Resort in Negril, Jamaica. The Blue Flag Campaign is an international voluntary certification scheme for beaches and marinas. The Blue Flag is an exclusive eco-label that was awarded to 3200 beaches and marinas in 35 countries across Europe, South Africa, New Zealand, Canada and the Caribbean. It has proven to be an effective environmental tool to enhance the health & safety and environmental quality of beaches and marinas. Under the Blue Flag award system, beaches that fulfill the required criteria i.e. bathing water quality, accessible beach facilities and services, environmental education, among others, are awarded the Blue Flag. The Blue Flag has become a world wide symbol for beach and marina environmental quality and is sought by countries for the recognition received from visitors.
CHECK OUR OUR NEW ‘WITHIN REACH’ FALLS- Okay, so that’s a bad play on words, but this is a falls that really is “within reach”! Actually it’s the result of a volunteer effort by our landscaping team and the result of a lot of trips to the river which laces through the Junction. Our “falls” is actually located at the south end of the pool patio. It makes a very relaxing falling water sound. We will soon be adding some fish to the pond and coloured lights.
SEE US AT FORT LAUDERDALE SHOW- Come visit us at the 50th edition of the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show Oct. 29 to Nov. 2 at the Broward Convention Center, Booth 3078.
HONORARY PORT OFFICE APPOINTED- Errol Flynn Marina General Manager, Dale B. Westin, has been appointed Honorary Port Officer by the Ocean Cruising Club. The international cruising organization, based in England, designates the port officers at key marinas worldwide in an effort to insure their membership is afforded first-class assistance wherever they may cruise. To qualify for membership in the OCC, a prospective applicant must document they have made an ocean passage of at least 1,000 miles point-to-point. The club’s distinctive blue and yellow burgee is defaced with a flying fish device in yellow.
‘USA-CUBA RELATIONS WARMING OR? – With the Sarasota Yacht Club planning a spring 100 vessel plus benefit regatta in Havana for May 2010, there seems to be a pretty good possibility that travel restrictions on Yanks going there may at long last be lifted. The yacht crews are presently going through the rigors of getting official licensed permission from the U.S. Treasury’s Bureau of Assets Control, enforcers of the travel ban and embargo. Various USA and international investors are already clamoring to get control of key Cuban marinas; including the plum of the Caribbean…Marina Hemingway, plus others in Varadero, Cayo Largo del Sur, Santiago de Cuba and Cienfuegos; all of which are in dire need of massive cash input to upgrade infrastructures. USA vessels also require permission from the US Coast Guard to enter the Cuban Exclusion Zone. A relaxing of the travel ban is expected to have a positive impact on Jamaica by increasing yacht traffic to both the south side of Cuba and the north side of Jamaica. Plans are already afoot to upgrade marina facilities in Ocho Rios, among other locations. The Castillo del Morro Regatta is set for May 2010 and revives a long-anticipated renewal of the race which originated in the 1930’s.
RED CROSS CONCERT ON THE PIER OCT. 31 – The Portland Chapter of the Red Cross will be presenting a benefit event entitled “Powerful and Talented People in Concert” Saturday, Oct. 31 from 6:30 p.m. on the Ken Wright Pier at the marina. The concert is open to the public and tickets are $500.00 Jamaican Dollars at the door ($5.60 USD). Refreshments will be available.
CHECK OUR LOW BOATYARD HAULOUT RATES – Have we got a deal for you? You bet! Our haulout rates are just $5.00 USD per foot. That means you can have a 50-foot yacht hauled for a mere $250.00. There is also a small charge of $25,00 for chocking the vessel on the hard. Additional yard services are available or clients may chose to do the work themselves. The boat yard is a free zone which permits the import of marine spares and equipment duty and tax free for foreign vessels. For additional information, complete rates, etc., contact Dockmaster George Munro at 876/715-6044
NEED A POSH PARTY SITE? Errol Flynn Marina has several locations suitable for holding large events, including the scenic Ken Wright Pier, Terminal Building and the Marina Beach and Picnic Area. Applications for events must be submitted a minimum of 30 days in advance. Applications and rental rates are available at the marina offices . Forms can be requested on line at info@errolflynnmarina.com
FREE WI-FI?, BUT OF COURSE – We are always somewhat surprised by what some marinas charge clients for wi-fi services. Wi-fi is always free at Errol Flynn Marina and we are continually striving to improve our internet services. We also offer three free internet stations during normal office hours. Both the pool bar and the combination deli-gourmet shoppe which will be opening in December or earlier will also offer free wi-fi to their clients.
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
