BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – THE Federation now boasts one of the biggest travel lifts in the Caribbean region following the official opening of the St. Kitts Marine Works Ltd. (SKMW) haul-out facility situated in New Guinea.
According to SKMW Director Regiwell Francis, the travel lift is bound to extend the scope of marine services offered on the island as the lift and adjacent dry dock would be able to accommodate a number of vessels in the time of need.
He informed that the cost of the first phase of the overall EC$5.7M project totalled EC$800 000, which covers the first set of breakwaters.
“This one [travel lift] makes St. Kitts the holder of the second biggest travel lift in the Caribbean; ours is bigger than the one in Puerto Rico and only Trinidad has bigger lifts. If storm approaches, local vessels could stay in St. Kitts safely placed and secured on land with our seamen not having to ride out storms at sea,” Francis said during the opening ceremony held over the weekend.
Francis stated that since St. Kitts is “one of the most centralised islands”, boat operators in the region should have easy access to the new facility. He noted that St. Kitts should see an increase in incoming vessels as similar facilities in neighbouring islands have become overcrowded.
“Local boats have been going overseas for annual inspections and repairs, but now revenue could stay in the local economy providing employment and money. Space in St. Martin and Antigua has run out because of the increased number of boats. People are present from Anguilla who would bring their ferries and cargo vessels when hurricanes threaten for storage,” Francis informed.
Francis also added that the internationally known Budget Marine is expecting to open shop in St. Kitts within six months and should complement the work that SKMW has begun. He added that locals and persons from the region would travel to the island to purchase boat parts which would result in promising spinoffs for the nation.
The Director further stated that the new facility could assist the Coast Guard and indicated that he hopes to get the yacht-chartering company, Moorings, to let boats start and end charters in St. Kitts as “this would bring business for hotels and head tax for Government”.
