BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – ONCE again the Federation’s first and only party boat, Prince Devonte J, had taken to the Caribbean Sea. This time, however, was its maiden voyage to sister isle Nevis with over 150 patrons aboard partying to the music of steel pan and local sound systems.
The voyage, which began late due to mopping up activities because of overnight rains that left the vessel damp, was twofold in nature.
On Saturday (Dec. 28), the vessel left Port Zante’s Harbour with 159 patrons, including Tourism Minister Hon. Richard ‘Ricky’ Skerritt, but did not journey immediately across the narrows. Instead, the patrons were taken on a one-hour sight-seeing tour of St. Kitts’ coastline with classical steel pan music provided by the All Star Steel Band.
On its return to Port Zante, Minister Skerritt was among some 50 patrons who disembarked.
The vessel then left for Nevis with the DJs blasting the popular tune ‘Wuk It’ by this year’s National Power Soca Monarch Mr. Hype and those of other local Soca artistes, as well as songs by Trinidad and Tobago’s Machel Montano which included his popular ‘Bottle of Rum’.
Arriving at the Charlestown Ferry Terminal, the Prince Jevonte J was expertly maneuvered by its captain and owner Elroy Jeffers through some smaller vessels and tourists who were enjoying the warm blue water of the Caribbean Sea.
After docking, a large number of people who were eagerly waiting at the Charlestown Pier boarded the vessel, which has a capacity for 350.
As they slowly made their way onto the Prince Devonte J, the music silenced and the Kittitians who partied all the way to Nevis took the time to recover as they were waiting for round three of the party to begin.
After a brief ceremony where praise and thanks to God and congratulations were showered on Jeffers, whose initiative it was to build the boat, it was time for the party to continue.
The day’s proceeding was capped off with classical Reggae music from some of the top names in the entertainment industry within the Caribbean, such as Ruddy Grant and Morgan Heritage.
After partying and viewing Nevis’ coastline for approximately one hour, the vessel returned to the Charlestown Pier where the Nevisians disembarked. The captain then journeyed back to Port Zante, where Jffers stood at the exit point on the dock and with a bright smile thanked all for their time spent onboard the Prince Devonte J.
