BASSETERRE St. Kitts – RESTING calmly at the dock of Port Zante is a one of a kind vessel which is building quite a reputation for itself, but before it shall have taken its inaugural voyage SKNVibes had a firsthand tour of the masterpiece.
According to the owner, Elroy Jeffers, the vessel, ‘Prince Devonte J’, was named after his late son Devonte Jeffers who was ran over by a vehicle whilst visiting his sister in the United States of America.
Jeffers added that since the death Devonte, he decided to bring to reality his lifelong dream of building his very own boat and dedicating it in memory of his son; thus the boat was named.
Originally named ‘Kitti Nevi’, at 96 feet long and 32 feet wide with 3 000 square feet under the lower deck, Prince Devonte J was designed to hold a total of 350 passengers within its upper and lower decks.
Based on it colour profile, Jeffers explained that the selection of off-white, red, green, white and blue is to portray the vessel as a “culture boat” while at the same time providing its patrons with an unforgettable view of the twin-island Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis.
His Motivation
“I used to build boats way back in the 70s. That’s where I started out and we had to have a Caribbean colour. I just looked at the trees and the different aspect of the sister nations and I found all of them,” the architect said.
Jeffers revealed to SKNVibes that during his time as an architect in building a number of boats in the Federation, which still sail today, one of the masterpieces as foreman during that period was a vessel called ‘Indigo’ that sailed around the world.
“Our first boat we built was under Phillip Walwyn and David Stanner. It was called ‘Kayona’ and then we lost her during a hurricane. We built another one called ‘Sky Jack’, then ‘Evil’, ‘Falcon’, and the ‘Spirit of St. Christopher’,” Jeffers said.
Jeffers explained that he left his homeland in 1979 to take up residence in the Virgin Islands where he saw a “party boat”, and that is when his idea sparked.
“I said, ‘My goodness…I think I could enhance that boat with the style of boats I used to build in St. Kitts and take that idea back home with me.’ And since 1979 that has been a dream of mine…until now.”
Jeffers also explained that the boat he saw in St. Thomas, ‘Kontiki’, was a unique, but one of kind vessel. And after seeing it on a regular basis he finally decided that he needed one of his own.
“It is something I helped with to enhance tourism in St. Thomas. But then I thought I could use this same idea to enhance tourism in St. Kitts.”, Jeffers noted.
Just two years ago, the construction of the Federation’s very own party boat went into full swing, headed by a man who is considered to be the 10th best boat architect in the world - Dougie Brookes - who is also a Kittitian by birth.
Calypsonian and Cricketer
As humble as he is, Jeffers, popularly known as ‘Lord Ray’, was a well-known calypsonian who recorded a number of albums in his earlier years, but still sings internationally when he gets the opportunity to do so.
But what many people didn’t know is that apart from being an architect and a calypsonian, Jeffers played for the National Cricket Team in St. Kitts before he was granted the opportunity to play for St. Thomas.
And yes, he later competed against his home team and accomplished a century while doing it.
“I’ve been between the singing, the calypsonian, playing cricket and building boats, so that’s my hobby in that field. I have a mission and I am going to complete it by building such a big boat,” Lord Ray said.
Jeffers said that since the boat has been on water, he has been receiving wide reviews from the general populace who complimented him on the initiative.
The former cricketer added that his targets would be the nearby hotels, the locals and even tourists who come with the cruise ships.
The glass bottom
The one thing that stood out about Cinderella the night she arrived at the Prince’s Ball was not that she was attired in a beautiful gown; it was her glass slippers which later lead Prince Charming to her.
With this unique masterpiece, Prince Devonte J has two sections of its base made of glass, which serves as a magnificent view of the majestic Caribbean Sea and its marine life.
From the lower deck, it looks like if one is standing right on top of an aquarium, which is quite a site to see. But, while one may ask questions about the glass, the proprietor will surely let one know that “it is one inch thick and it is very safe”.
Also on board are more than 350 lifejackets for both children and adults.
The first voyage
What better way to begin his first voyage than with a group from a local church which will have firsthand experience into what he explained to be one with a flavour and fauna.
The vessel will set sail for the first time today (Dec. 14) at 1:00 p.m. from the Port Zante dock and will take it patrons around the island’s shore for a five-hour tour, which will include music and unforgettable sightseeing.
Upcoming events Jeffers revealed would be a party held by the National Bank, one of his partners, for its employees and another event which would include members of the media who would be given a guided tour of the vessel.
“People say, ‘Why a party boat?’ Well, it is simple! You have a sailing boat where you can have a small party, but with this boat you can hold over 300 persons. We have the room, we can give people a good time, and I think we need something for people to come out of their homes and normal hangout spots,” Jeffers said.
He also said that the party boat could be chartered for weddings and other special events, and it is there to accommodate the young, old and in-between with various musical genres to suit everyone.
The party boat is also fitted with a well-stocked bar that provides alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, a galley that prepares local and other Caribbean dishes, and a small stage that is large enough for a band to entertain patrons.
Plans are also on the front burner to host karaoke and stand-up comedy shows aboard the boat.
The boat can reach as far as St. Maarten but, for now, the team of organisers will focus on voyages within the Federation’s coastline.
The liner will have approximately 10 crew members including a captain.
“My vision, over the years and thinking about it, I think it will enhance tourism, our local people…and I see that it will be a big entertainment for our people. My job is to sit down by the sidewalk and see it pass by,” Jeffers said.
