Plans announced by marine industry veteran Bobby Velasquez in Wednesday’s paper were interesting. A new mega-yacht pier and hurricane boat storage facility will no doubt add to what the island’ already has to offer in this field.
The sector has seen significant growth in the past three decades, attracting investments, providing business opportunities and creating jobs, particularly around the Simpson Bay Lagoon area but also in Great Bay. The area of Bobby’s Marina and Dock St. Maarten too is witnessing considerable development.
It was encouraging to read about an improved walkway via these properties from the harbour. After all, the existing situation with thousands of cruise passengers walking along Juancho Yrausquin Boulevard while shipping containers are transported back and forth to the cargo terminal at Pointe Blanche entails potential risks, despite the presence of a guardrail.
Anything that can be done to remedy this “accident waiting to happen” with all possible consequences for the tourism economy is certainly welcome.
