Emerald Sakara To Call At Speightstown
Guests aboard the luxury super yacht, Emerald Sakara, will be coming ashore at Speightstown, St. Peter, on Sunday, December 15, 2024.
Emerald Sakara will be the first small cruise vessel to utilise moorings installed off Speightstown by Barbados Port Inc. (BPI) earlier this year, in collaboration with the Coastal Zone Management Unit. Guests will be brought ashore via smaller tender boats, utilising the Speightstown Jetty for inland connection.
The 100-passenger capacity Emerald Sakara makes its inaugural call at the Port of Bridgetown on Saturday, December 14. The vessel will leave the Port and cruise along the west coast to the north of the island on Sunday.
BPI Chairman, The Most Honourable Peter Odle, said: “The occasion marks a significant milestone in the creation of satellite facilities for the luxury vessel niche who prefer to sail into smaller ports and harbours for a more intimate guest experience. Extensive collaboration with the Coastal Zone Management Unit meant we were able to identify the ideal coastal leisure spots for moorings, while safeguarding against ecological disruption.”
He added: “The Speightstown Jetty, which officially re-opened in April 2022 after extensive refurbishment, will prove a valuable infrastructure support at St. Peter for cruise guests.”
The Chairman extended appreciation to regulatory agencies of government, including the Customs and Excise Department, the Immigration Department, and Port Health authorities under the Ministry of Health and Wellness, all of whom play a critical role in facilitating the cruise passenger experience at Speightstown.
“The Fisheries Division, one of our longstanding partners, is also to be commended for providing office accommodation to the agency officials at the Speightstown Fish Market,” he said.
Speightstown has always held a special appeal for cruise ships. It is almost 25 years ago that the SV Legacy, operated by the now defunct Windjammer Barefoot Cruises, first brought guests ashore via tender boats at Speightstown. She made 10 calls between June and August 2000.
The revitalisation of this activity augments Barbados’ tourism product diversity.
Author: Public Relations