Port releases Safehaven marina plans

(CNS):  Following the success of the legal action taken by a group of local boat captains to put a stop to work at the Safehaven Marina before their issues have been sorted out, the Port Authority has finally released a document containing the plans for the re-development of the public marina by the former owner of the Ritz Carlton. Michal Ryan is undertaking a refurbishment as a result of a land swap and fill deal with government relating to the proposed Dragon Bay site. Port officials said Friday that it hoped the delays to the new marina because of the injunction would be kept to a minimum and reminded the public that the site is private property and access was not allowed.

However, the captains still have access following the stay and the actual ownership of the area remains in question. It is still not clear if the land now belongs to Dragon Bay Limited, the current company owned by Ryan or other companies owned by the developer that have been seized by the hotel’s creditor or if the land is still crown land and public property.

The problem for the boat captains, however, is that the temporary site that was designated for the tour operators while the work is underway does not fit their needs. They say that it is too small for some of the vessels used by the captains -- which they say is a problem with the planned new marina as well.

While some operators in Safehaven have moved to the temporary site, others won an injunction last week to remain at the Safehaven dock, a place where some of them have been working from for 25 years.

In a statement released Friday evening, the Port Authority stated that the new public marina was being constructed for the authority by Dragon Bay.

“The marina will provide enhanced launching and docking facilities, and ancillary amenities such as public toilets, parking and seating areas, in addition to providing a more attractive access point to the North Sound,” it said. “During the construction process, temporary berthing sites have been designated for the commercial tour operators in the area who will have access to the new marina when it is completed."

In addition to the problems with the temporary and the new site being insufficient for some of the operators' needs, there are concerns that they have no guarantees of continued access to the new marina. They have said that if and when the marina is completed, they feel they could be pushed out, which means they will have nowhere to operate from in future, putting an end to their livelihoods.

Related article:

Captains get stay over Safehaven marina

Release and report from Port Authority below.