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Cruise Lines at war with BVI Ports Authority over safe berthing issues!

- Disney & Norwegian Cruise Lines raise safety issues over lack of mooring dolphins
Disney and Norwegian Cruise Lines have raised serious safety issues because of the lack of mooring dolphins on the Ports Development Project for berthing of their vessels. Photo: VINO
Mooring dolphins are usually installed to provide fixed structure when it would be impractical to extend the shore to provide dry access facility; for example when ships or the numbers of ships expected are greater than the length of the berth/pier. Photo: Internet Source
Mooring dolphins are usually installed to provide fixed structure when it would be impractical to extend the shore to provide dry access facility; for example when ships or the numbers of ships expected are greater than the length of the berth/pier. Photo: Internet Source
It was reported that the BVI Ports Authority believes there are enough mooring dolphins for berthing and mooring of vessels; however, the two cruise lines strongly disagree and the matter remains at a stalemate. Photo: GIS
It was reported that the BVI Ports Authority believes there are enough mooring dolphins for berthing and mooring of vessels; however, the two cruise lines strongly disagree and the matter remains at a stalemate. Photo: GIS
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI- The controversy surrounding the BVI Ports Development Project continues with delays, accidents, and money shortage, along with many safely issues as raised by the cruise lines.

It was last week that Disney Cruise Line representative Russell Daya and Norwegian Andrew Duckworth visited the Virgin Islands and had updated discussions with the BVI Ports Authority, the project managers and others associated with the BVI Ports Development Project.

According to this newsroom’s BVI Ports Authority sources close to the project, both cruise lines have raised serious safety issues because of the lack of mooring dolphins on the project for berthing of their vessels.

Mooring dolphins are usually installed to provide fixed structure when it would be impractical to extend the shore to provide dry access facility; for example when ships or the numbers of ships expected are greater than the length of the berth/pier.

It is believed because of this safety issue raised yet again by the cruise lines, it could also lead to the ships being unwilling to come to the Virgin Islands if the matter is not addressed.

It was reported that the BVI Ports Authority believes there are enough mooring dolphins for berthing and mooring of vessels; however, the two cruise lines strongly disagree and the matter remains at a stalemate.

Safety a big issue for cruise lines

While at the meeting of last week, according to BVI Ports Authority sources close to the project, Disney’s Russell Daya made it clear that there is still the issue with safe berthing of the ships, and that a berthing analysis was done and requirements and specification were recommend, but the issues were still not addressed.

Mr Daya warned the project managers and the BVI Ports Authority that the cruise liners who have agreed to come to the Virgin Islands after the project is completed would not want to face the issues of wind restriction while having to berth at the new port.

The Disney Cruise Line representative also told the local authority that he noticed the “Bollards that are upland are left in as flower pots and need to be clearly mark so that liability can be minimised.”

It remains unclear when the matter will be addressed and who will pay for it or the cost of the extra mooring dolphins for berthing being demanded by the cruise liners.

It is also unknown if the BVI Ports Authority disagreeing to the demand of the cruise liners would put the cruise line berthing agreement in jeopardy.

It’s also important to note that all disputes in the berthing agreement can only be settled in the USA and the Virgin Islands legal system has no standing on the controversial agreement signed a few years ago.

Contacted today January 29, 2015, Public Relations Officer for the BVI Ports Authority April T. Glasgow said that she was not aware of the issue but will be making inquiries about it from the appropriate personnel and get back to us.

37 Responses to “Cruise Lines at war with BVI Ports Authority over safe berthing issues!”

  • DON Q (29/01/2015, 10:37) Like (38) Dislike (17) Reply
    What start wrong will always end wrong
    • the rock (29/01/2015, 13:09) Like (20) Dislike (12) Reply
      no idiot... that's why we need that pier project finished as soon as possible,,,tipical vip supporter always thinking negative!
      • @ the rock (29/01/2015, 16:43) Like (12) Dislike (10) Reply
        scatter your ugly rass the rock VIP is the party of hope NDP the party of nasty divisive poltricks
    • @ Don Q (29/01/2015, 13:15) Like (7) Dislike (2) Reply
      Exacto
  • asura (29/01/2015, 10:47) Like (10) Dislike (9) Reply
    Where is the governor on the coi?
    • @ asura (29/01/2015, 11:58) Like (16) Dislike (5) Reply
      The governor who lost his credibility???? I see he got caught in a lie!!!! Who is he going to blame this time…if he wants a successful governor term in the BVI he better keep very far from the NDP and their ways of doing things
  • ABC (29/01/2015, 10:54) Like (27) Dislike (20) Reply
    No question, the two cruise lines are setting the stage for an early exit from this Agreement as the "hook" is now visible. Who says lightening doesn't strike twice. It bankrupt Detroit and the BVI is next in line. I fear for our children and their children.
  • wize up (29/01/2015, 11:03) Like (4) Dislike (5) Reply
    the project is not finished....that project could have been done years ago(expanding the docks because the ship were getting bigger).......I know the stupid will start( the party loyalist!!!!)
  • wow (29/01/2015, 11:05) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    LIES!
  • weed (29/01/2015, 11:10) Like (30) Dislike (13) Reply
    The Ports project is going from the docks and heading for the rocks with captain Claude and the NDP.
  • delories (29/01/2015, 11:37) Like (27) Dislike (9) Reply
    Now this berthing agreement is truly worse than bates hill and biwater
  • Lets see (29/01/2015, 11:38) Like (25) Dislike (8) Reply
    Let me see the NDP bloggers blame Fraser and the VIP for this.
    • @ Lets see (29/01/2015, 11:53) Like (18) Dislike (2) Reply
      not to worry funny man and potter are out of spin after Fahie and Fraser hit them with the corruption thing and they responded by saying much of nothing…yea civil servants went to jail ha ah ah
  • Jay (29/01/2015, 11:51) Like (8) Dislike (1) Reply
    Mooring Dolphins are usually used when the ship overlaps the length of the dock. They are actually very big steel buoys anchored to the sea bed, they could be quit costly to install as they have to properly secured to the dead with very thick chains attached to the bouy to keep it it place,
  • Kingfish (29/01/2015, 12:04) Like (15) Dislike (1) Reply
    DO NOT WORRY THE PREMIER IS DOING A SITE VISIT LATER HE WILL FIX ALL THINS…NOT!!! SET OF WASTE RUNNING THE PLACE
  • Curious (29/01/2015, 14:03) Like (1) Dislike (13) Reply
    if this project is "new construction", why is there so much jack-hammering to fix faulty foundations? Or are they fixing engineering mistakes? in any case, why jack-hammers?. I have no faith in the oversight of this project-- its function, agreement, design, inclusion, budget or "public" financing. Another blunder to become "world class" with masses of people who give nothing back to the economy and create traffic jams where ever they go.
  • ....... (29/01/2015, 14:05) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    That's the way everything is done here meson, sloppy and half way. This ain't even bout NDP. I am just glad they making them to things to proper standards. I am just so tired of sloppy, comical work in this place.
  • HAHA (29/01/2015, 14:18) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Its funny that with all the posturing, macho attitudes and beliefs of entitlement that people have here, the simple fact of the matter is that Mickey Mouse has got this country by the B*LLS. HAHAHA
  • Jay (29/01/2015, 15:06) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    Don't the planners know what they are doing? That should have been in the plans already.
  • zoe (29/01/2015, 15:12) Like (2) Dislike (3) Reply
    This government must be voted out of office forthwith
  • ccc (29/01/2015, 15:19) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    another ndp success
  • Rat guarding cheese (29/01/2015, 15:34) Like (3) Dislike (2) Reply
    What do you expect when rat guarding cheese
  • virgin gorda (29/01/2015, 16:44) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    well it seems like the NDP meal ticket is in trobule even if they have walk on Desney
  • Music (29/01/2015, 17:53) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    The cruise lines are not saying there are no dolphins. They think that there are not enough ie length from the end of the dock for ships mooring lines if they are longer than the dock. Ports authority or contractor seem to think there are enough. So I guess some agreement will be reached. Storm in a teacup for nothings. Bloggers just need an excuse to go off half cock!
  • Local (29/01/2015, 18:23) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Say whatever youall want . with so much party running NDP will remain in power after all the dust is cleared. They have nothing to worry about because the voters will be too busy splitting up their votes while NDP loyalists stay focus.
  • Global Diplomat (29/01/2015, 22:46) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
    So let me see if I get this straight. Taking all the political non-sense out. When this entire project plan was being devised, did the folks behind this went and consult with the berthing partners before giving out a contract? Was all parties in sync before the project started? Were the cruise lines who this was built for consulted as the project go forward? Now let me see if i get this right, We have a Government and a Justice System with somewhat good legal minds and our Government went out and sign an agreement with a US Company or Companies and the agreement can only be enforced in the United States! Now Now can someone tell me what tonic or special mixture of jackass juice that our elected officials drink when ever they become politicians? its like when ever they get elected they take leave of all sense of humanity and brain function and become an expert on everything and try to play a world super power by trying to support all countries. VIP, NDP, PEP, PAP, CHAP, MEM what ever party created these days, if your parents were alive today, most of you, they would take you behind a tamarind tree and give you the whipping of your life. You sign an agreement that cannot be enforced here! REALLY, I MEAN REALLY. A Spanish company came here to build a hospital building for 64 million and got paid all of it and did not finish and a national was hired and paid 35 million to finish it. They finished it, so the 64 million was a training cost. A water company came here to sell us or own water and don's pay for electricity and their taxes or fees are based in the UK not BVI. GET IT TOGETHER AND STOP TAKING THE HARD WORK OF OUR FORE FATHERS AND MOTHERS IN VEIN.
    • Yes (30/01/2015, 08:42) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      It's easy to lose all common since when they start counting the kick back money. Can anyone say cha ching$
  • apple pie (29/01/2015, 22:53) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    the overwhelmingly support is still not there for this project!!!
  • trrefdrfds (30/01/2015, 02:38) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Let that na a message to the VIP. IF YOU DONT GO ALL THE WAY YOU CAN WIN!
  • Plank (30/01/2015, 06:20) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    The Port project is a good and needed project, but these people in charge have to listen--listen to their customers concern, accept their mistakes and all parties work together and come up with a compromising and an agreeable solution, .good relationship between customers and suppliers is key in the success of business..
  • Plank (30/01/2015, 07:14) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    about two months ago I said in my blog, "that semi circle looks so unique, don't fill it in, use that semi circle as a pedestrian board walk", I thought that would have been wonderful walking in and around the sea---They still went ahead and spent a ton of money trying to fill it in. money they could have used to finish the more needed part of the project.-- when money is short, you finish the needed things first----common-sense--. that filling-in could have done anytime in the future
  • Guest (30/01/2015, 10:18) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    I think that this is part of development and is good because things can still be done while in the process of completion. I don't think anyone has messed up. It is like asking somebody to build a house for you and when you check and see things that needed to improve on, then you communicate it. I do agree that safety is a crucial concern.
  • Hmm (30/01/2015, 10:21) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    Ships longer than the dock should not come , bottom line. Bvi is small and a dock should be an appropriate length to suit. If they want more dolphins than was contracted then let them pay the cost if agreed on by Ports Authority and the contractor.
    • DISAGREE (03/02/2015, 09:12) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      The Longer the ship the more passengers on board, the more passengers on board the greater the possibilty of monies being spent.
  • tourism (03/02/2015, 09:11) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    The main industry is TOURISM. If you have two major cruise liners looking to stop services due to safety reasons, common sense dictates you fix it regardless of political party or whatever, YOU FIX it. They don't have to come here and we'll lose out big time, the economy is going to take a big hit without cruise liners. All it takes is for one of them to say something negative due to safety issues. Instead of arguing you fix it, it's like treating the person serving you food like crap. FIX IT GOVERNMENT STOP ARGUING WITH YOUR CUSTOMERS, THE CUSTOMER IS ALWAYS RIGHT!!!!!
  • babs (03/02/2015, 17:58) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    You know, I was coming to Tortola in Nov on a 7dys cruise, but after reading all these comments, I will take my business else were, shame because I here so much good things about your Country
  • hi (14/03/2017, 10:57) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    people in this country should be more considerate to our authorities and pay more attention to our marine environment \



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