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Division surrounds alternative docks concept for VI

- Julio Sam Henry says development being stifled
Though the concept has been floated before, residents are once again discussing the idea of having more than one cruise ship dock built in the Virgin Islands (VI). (Above, the Road Town cruise ship dock) Photo: VINO
When the environmental study was presented for the cruise pier development by Dr Cassander Titley-O’Neal on August 22, 2013, she said the idea had already been floated to have an alternative dock built but this was not considered by authorities. Photo: VINO/File
When the environmental study was presented for the cruise pier development by Dr Cassander Titley-O’Neal on August 22, 2013, she said the idea had already been floated to have an alternative dock built but this was not considered by authorities. Photo: VINO/File
Julio Sam Henry argued that with proper planning, if there were two cruise ship docks, the kind of energy that can be put towards developing new tours and ideas would be great because the other islands would also benefit. Photo: VINO
Julio Sam Henry argued that with proper planning, if there were two cruise ship docks, the kind of energy that can be put towards developing new tours and ideas would be great because the other islands would also benefit. Photo: VINO
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Though the concept has been floated before, residents are once again discussing the idea of having more than one cruise ship dock built in the Virgin Islands (VI).

Advocates though, seem divided on the details of where this should be built and one resident even called for a cap on the number of cruise passengers at a time in the territory.

The resident, a caller on the Open Mic radio programme aired last evening, October 23, 2013 openly questioned how many persons could be accommodated on "small Tortola".

“…nobody seems to be looking at the whole idea of what kind of number we can accommodate. Can this country, small Tortola, I mean how much can we accommodate in one day? It’s like we’re saying bring any amount of tourists in one given time. We must have a cut of point. What is the maximum of persons we can accommodate per day? What can we deal with?”

Host Julio Sam Henry in response said he didn’t want to see the country ‘just sink’, “I don’t want to see ten thousand people on the island.”

He argued that with proper planning, if there were two cruise ship docks, the kind of energy that can be put towards developing new tours and ideas would be great because the other islands would also benefit.

When the environmental study was presented for the cruise pier development by Dr Cassander Titley-O’Neal on August 22, 2013, she said the idea had already been floated to have an alternative dock built but this was not considered by authorities.

Meanwhile, Henry stated that there could also be suggestions to place docks at Anegada, Virgin Gorda and Jost Van Dyke as smaller ships already go there and dock in the harbour.

The talk show host said he would like to see a non-slow season in the territory because there should never be one with the perfect atmosphere of sun, sand and sea available in the VI.

“Anybody that comes to these islands that doesn’t experience sun, sand and sea, they had a terrible day, they’re not happy campers. They aren’t coming here to sit on a beach with clouds over their head…” he reasoned.

There was also an argument that growth and development on other islands were being stifled with the focus being placed on Tortola.

Henry said there were a lot of things here that we want to protect for certain people and this stifles others. “We have people that want to learn the art of diving but they want to go spear [fishing] but that’s being pulled off for whatever reason. Maybe it’s a good idea, maybe not.”

“I think if we get smart enough, we could do a lot more with the little bit that we have,” Mr Henry said.

18 Responses to “Division surrounds alternative docks concept for VI”

  • ooooo (24/10/2013, 14:43) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    Lets build a cruise ship outside prospect reef and turn down there into a shopping mall with couple hotel rooms upstairs the buildings.
    • shaw (24/10/2013, 15:43) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
      Interesting idea pending EIA on that south shore. I think prospect should be a mall of some type. The bones are already there and there is space. But will the big polluting ships have an effect on the swim with the dolphins?
    • Ooooo hater (24/10/2013, 17:47) Like (3) Dislike (0) Reply
      Ooooooo it's one of the best ideas I ever saw u wrote instead bashing I'm proud of u loooool
  • east (24/10/2013, 15:03) Like (3) Dislike (1) Reply
    Sam getting his two mins of spotlight may bouy just hope he aint getting carried away and thinking about running!!!!!
    • Never (24/10/2013, 18:44) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Sam riding high hope he goes to the states to visit and do research
  • dog (24/10/2013, 15:41) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
    please, not another cruise ship dock. One was already trying to be pushed on white beach JVD years ago.
    there are no other places for these size ships. Filling in the big ships with small ships arriving on the same day, how much is too much? people will wait in line if they think a place is special enough. But will take for granted those destinations that they can go any time they want because there is no intrigue. I SOOO agree with the caller and "small Tortola". We can't accommodate what we have, can't handle what is wanted and can't protect what we have.
    It is wrong wrong to have super crowds and can't handle them.
  • confused (24/10/2013, 16:21) Like (5) Dislike (0) Reply
    So we read the above article and I still wonder why we think hundreds of tourists want to come to Cane Garden Bay and see 9,000 white plastic chairs lining the beach...let's try to make this place more safe, peaceful and beautiful.....
  • Virign Gorda Resident (24/10/2013, 17:24) Like (6) Dislike (2) Reply
    We don't need and don't want a cruise ship dock on Virgin Gorda. Leave us alone!
    • VG local (24/10/2013, 18:17) Like (1) Dislike (3) Reply
      So you don't want what feed my family leave because don't song local or BB
  • virgin gorda (24/10/2013, 17:44) Like (1) Dislike (1) Reply
    If you observe the territory when two of the biggest ships a in harbour it's still not over crowded because a lot of those guess does organize ttours that goes to Virgin Gorda ,Norman island,jost van dyke,and don't forget the smaller operators that sell they business online and we never accommodate ten thousand @ once were trying to support the entire territory not just the taxi drivers. The idea is to make sure every one experience is a life lasting one when visiting our shores and to become land base tourist in the near future
    • No! (24/10/2013, 19:09) Like (4) Dislike (0) Reply
      Are u for real the baths is a zoo on ship days. There is such a thing as a saturation point.
      • @no! (24/10/2013, 19:23) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
        Don't you work,people like you helps to congest it what you doing @the Baths during the week, you all behave like only you all live VG,hush and enjoy with y'all under the table over stay pass hush
  • Smile (24/10/2013, 19:26) Like (0) Dislike (3) Reply
    @no! Would you able to feed us all,hush your a$$
  • Only in the BVI (24/10/2013, 20:42) Like (2) Dislike (0) Reply
    "Can this country, small Tortola" you people Mad??? Tortola is NOT THE ENTIRE COUNTRY. Stop it!!!!! We don't need a pier on VG JUST FOR CRUISE SHIPS. THOSE SMALL SHIPS DONT SPEND A CENT. When carnival come we make much more than them small ships
  • no love (25/10/2013, 00:25) Like (2) Dislike (1) Reply
    Economy bad, people need jobs even though if it's seasonal. We talk about 2 cruise ship dock and a pier project can't be started lmao. Ayo not serious. We need as much people to come to the islands, we need to develop our tourists attractions. We are the only islands with a bunch of beaches and hardly got any water sports huh, that make sense? I want leave America and return home so bad but gosh mon as young people we just want see a lil development at least try a thing and I don't blame the politicians I blame the residents because whenever somebody try do something we try to pull them down and bash them. I am tired of hearing people say this land for my grand kids just shut if you want live in the 19 century. Lets develop our country before we get further behind in the race


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