CGB tourist hotspot fights re-install popular sea swing after ‘removal order’
By Esther Durand, BVI News Staff
When the Paradise Club in Cane Garden Bay installed a wooden swing in the shallow water adjacent to its location, it quickly became a popular attraction to locals and tourists.
However, the establishment has been ordered to remove the attraction and operators of the business are now fighting to have it re-installed.
The establishment was instructed to remove the swing because the requisite approval wasn’t sought before it was erected, BVI News was told.
“I didn’t know you needed approval because I didn’t see it as a ‘sea bed’. It was just a great idea I came up with,” owner of Paradise Club, Ron Cline told BVI News.
He continued: “I was resisting, and so they threatened me and told me they were going to break it down so I said: if I’m in the wrong here, I will take it out. So I took it out of the water but I am going to fight it to the end. If it doesn’t get approved, I will go to higher heights.”
Stonewalled
In the meantime, Cline said no substantial information on the proper way to apply for permission has been forthcoming from the Ministry of Natural Resources, despite his attempts.
Cline said he was instructed to write to the ministry. But, when he spoke to BVI News late last week, he said: “I got a back and forth with three different answers on the procedure.”
“The last few weeks they told me that it had to come out of the water in order for anything to get done. So I said ‘it is already in place and if it is going to be approved, why should I remove it?’ So all I am saying to them was if it is going to be approved, at least give me a timeline but they are just stonewalling me.”
An allure
Cline said the new swing had lured many to take photos and enjoy the latest attraction at the tourist hub.
“They love it! So many people that come out and takes pictures of that swing both BVIslanders and tourists alike,” Cline told BVI News.
Meanwhile, our news centre sought a comment from the Minister for Natural Resources Vincent Wheatley. However, he referred us to Senior Administrative Officer in the Sea Bed Unit, Austin Maduro.
When contacted, Maduro said he had no comment and abruptly ended the call.
And when BVI News sought comment from Junior Tourism Minister Shereen Flax-Charles, she referred us back to the Ministry of Natural Resources.
“This is not a tourism issue so all comments should be sought from the Ministry of Natural Resources,” she said via WhatsApp on Friday.
Copyright 2024 BVI News, Media Expressions Limited. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or distributed.
That was creative. Looked nice.
This thing is a cheesy, tacky, eyesore. It wouldn’t be half as bad if it was on the cruise ship port or somewhere already blighted… but this is in Cane Garden Bay, what used to be one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
Why people can’t enjoy their surroundings without taking a photo of themselves is beyond me.
In addition this business does not own the beach or the sea bed. It sets a dangerous precedent. Before long there will be all kinds of docks and shelters and junk littering all our beaches. If you want this stupid selfie swing then build it in your own land. Not on the public beach.
NO! NO! NO!
Ok thats y cruse ships will go elsewhere cause of people of people like u
Good. The cruise ships are just as bad ruining the environment and all for a few dollars ending up in a few people’s pockets.
Come on! This was a brilliant idea!
There used to be this great palm tree with a swing at Cane Garden bay. I have 20 photos of it over the years in old photo albums.
Now that we are in the world of Smart Phones this is perfect. Tourist are going to take photos and send them all over the world telling people how great the BVI’s are. How can that be BAD!?
We need to get more tolerant of new people with new ideas are we are going to be behind the 8 ball (the storm was 2 years ago – we need to help lift ourselves up – not shut down creative ideas)
Throw the hot potato!
Andrew, any comments?
Claiming ignorance is no excuse.
“I didn’t know you needed approval because I didn’t see it as a ‘sea bed’.
Merriam -Webster’s definition of “seabed” is – “Noun” the ground under the sea; the ocean floor.
Being a beach/bar owner you are well aware of the rules in regard to the “seabed” Claiming you didn’t know is just foolish lol. I like the idea, the attraction and the attention it gets. Lets try to do things the correct way vs doing what we want and crying foul when we are corrected. This is the problem here in the BVI, we do what we want and claim we didn’t know or run to a politician when the respected agencies do their job.
Where do they come from to want to display their GUTTER BEHAVIOR in the BVI – Let them take it back they come from. NOT IN THE BVI – WHY ALL OF A SUDDEN YOU WANT TO INSTILL YOUR FILTH IN THESE SHORES. TAKE YOUR DIRT BACK TO YOUR HOME LAND.
WHO OWNS THAT BUSINESS AND HOW THEY GOT THEIR LICIENCE.
NEW GHOVERNMENT – NEW ADMINISTRATION – AND COURTS DO YOUR JOB. PLEASE DON’T LET HAVING THE HURRICANE MAKE YOU OPEN YOUR DOORS TO ANY AND EVERYTHING FOR MONEY – DON’T SELL YOUR SOUL – PLEASE DON’T SELL YOUR SOUL.
FIRST IT WAS THE HORSE AND OTHER ANIMALS NOW WHAT ELSE DO THEY WANT TO GET AWAY WITH. YOU SHOULD HOLD ON TO THE AS YOU SAY “EXPATS” I DON’T BELIEVE THEY WOULD COULD BACK AND PUT SUCH STAINS ON THE BVI. TEACH THOSE PEOPLE WHO WANT TO SHOW THEIR BODYS AND RIDE HORSE THAT THE BVI IS NOT THAT KIND OF TERRITORY. WE HAVE OPEN HANDS BUT NOT FOR TRASH OR TO COME AND TRASH UP THE BVI.
YOU WANT TO MAKE FAST MONEY ON THE BACKS OF THE BVI NATIVE PEOPLE. REMOVE THAT AND HAVE A FEW SUBDAYS IN THE PRAISING GOD – PLEASE – PLEASE NOT IN THE BAKCYARD OF TRHE BVI PEOPLE – ALL WE NEED HELP WITH IS DURING HURRICANE TIME AND PRAY THAT ANOTHER YEAR LIKE 2017 DON’T COME BACK TOO SOON. JUST PRAY TO GOD BUT NOT TO TRY ANYTHING FOR FAST MONEY.
HELP HELP – HELP – HELP THE BVI LOOKJS LIKE IT IS ACCEPTING ANYTHING, THAT IS NOT WHAT MY GREAT – GREAT – FORTHPARENTS – THEY WOULD HAVE NEVER PUT SUCH A THOUGHT IN THEIR MINDS. THEY ARE PEOPLE OF THE SOIL.
PLANT – PLANT – USE THE GOOD EARTH GOD GAVE US OR GO IN THE OCEAN AND FISH – FISH AND FISH.
I WANT TO KNOWWHO WAS THE ONE THAT OPENED UP THE DOOR FOR THAT KIND OF BEHAVIOR – ATTRACTIONING THE WRONG KIND – LEAVE THE BVI THE WAY YOU FOUND IT – THANK YOU – PLEASE
Ok. No need to shout.
Take your meds…your shouting you wacko
As a beach bar owner you are well aware of what is required when erecting anything on the beach or in the water. Your claim about..“I didn’t know you needed approval because I didn’t see it as a ‘sea bed’ is quite funny to me. Research the meaning of seabed, better yet ill provide it for those who would argue about the meaning. Merriam-Webster’s definition of “Seabed” is “the ground under the sea; the ocean floor”. The issue here is that we come up with ideas “nice ones at that” but fail to follow the proper procedure of executing them. We do what we want and then cry foul when the respected agencies do their job. We run to ministers for intervention etc… sadly when someone who is not originally from here does the same or even gets the necessary permission we want to……… never mind ill leave that alone. Point of the matter is lets do the proper thing first and stop crying foul. This goes for that constant reclaiming of land going on at Pariquita Bay as well. We are gonna continue to push dirt into the bay slowly killing the mangroves leaving no safe haven when the storms come. Ignorance and greed at its best there again.
OK…So, the requisite papers were not in hand prior to construction…
Now that it has been constructed, why not work with the owners to enhance the structure.
Why can’t the government give the fines neccessary and allow the structure to remain?
You say you want a vibrant tourist economy. Welll,encourage the mechanisms that are now in place to do just that!
Let the business owner pay the requisite fines,and let the structure remain!
This build what you want, pay the fine,and get away with it: is nonsense and carries over in to town and country where people build what the h**l they like, pretty much where the h**l they like,and beg permission afterwards. The result is crappy buildings in beautiful places and an ever uglier island…What next a rash of tacky billboards and hoardings all over cgb?
Get rid of that tacky stunt and keep your business out of gods ocean
then everyone would do the same thing and there would be no need to apply. Just construct, pay a fine and you good. Same for houses. Same for bars. Same for docks. Same for everything that requires Government’s permission or authorization. Real foolish.
We can’t get the island cleaned up and enforce proper traffic laws but yet we getting bent out of shape about a swing that actually makes locals and tourist happy .. and it is a tourism matter because this simple swing creates BVI memories.
I am a local and it doesn’t make me see that piece of crap spoiling the natural scenery of the beach. TAKE IT DOWN!
Stuff that we have a problem with:
* Pretty little paintings randomly pinned on trees to brighten up the days of other, but that somebody decided were evil.
* A swing that tourists seem to like and brings business to the cane garden bay
Things we are good with:
* People parking however blocking and inconveniencing anyone else
* Garbage dumped where ever and when ever
* burning plastic and pumping it into the air to release cancer causing poisons
* kids roaring around on bikes with no plates and no helmets
* politicians buying our votes for cash or gifts
* no controls or vetting of taxi/bus drivers or safety requirements on buses responsible for transporting our children to and from school.
Interesting priorities.
More things we are good at in BVIs
1. Cronyism
2. Avoiding accountability any sort
3. Rude and discriminatory behavior towards outsiders
4. Going to church on Sunday only to forget anything we may have learned there the minute we leave
5. Failing to complete any project in time and on budget.
6. Failing to invest in our children’s futures. Better to spend a million + on a wall than to spend it qualified teachers
7. Failing to have much or a vision as to what we want for the Territory.
8. Ignoring completely public health issues, and capping medical salaries so that few qualified people want to come and remain in the Territory
9. Starting things and never finishing them
I can come up with more but will leave it at that for now.
I absolutely agree that anything being constructed on a beach or in the water should be approved by the proper authorities. There should be some rule of law that would prohibit this or what would prevent others from wantonly building objects such as this or worse on the beach. What is someone gets hurt? Who is responsible for maintaining it etc… etc. nothing is wrong with have ingenuity but if you’re doing something, it should be done right
And when something goes wrong or someone gets hurt from this who’s to blame. Come on people, iwe cant even get lifeguards on the beach and we encouraging persons to get on a swing in the water with a rope, really.What happens when ground sea comes.
Well, if we’re really worried about who to blame when something happens on a beach, let’s stop people from going in the wate in the first place. Let’s stop them from going on boats. Every year people die from these activities but you don’t hear too much about kids falling off swings in playgrounds, now do you. SMH
It was easier to ask for forgiveness than permission.
strupes why they don’t remove the speaker of the house… nonsense the thing look awesome i love it
I’m no fan of the speaker of the house but I’m mystified as to what he could possibly have to do with any of this.
We bvislanders does go all over the word and see things and when we come back home we always brag about what we saw. When ever we try to do something similar here our own are always denied
cause y’all damn fool
BUILD FIRST APPLY AFTER…THIS IS THE BVI WAY OF GETTING THINGS DONE
Come on mitch give the creative man a break because he is “one ah we”
We’re always talking about doing different things to attract tourists and here it is ayo giving the man h**l. Ayo had tried the same thing with the fire balls at trellis bay now it is copied as far as china
The willy t had similar drama and now heading back to its former home norman island
you kno what the sad part about this will be. they will heckle Ron, make him permanently break it down…and shortly after, someone else will get the Okay to erect the same structure without issue. Two-faced Tola!
So when Irma and she family coming this time, who responsible to move it? When some late night drunk have an accident on it, who responsible or are we waiting to be written up like Santo Domingo and tourist mishaps. We don’t need bad publicity now. Move it and CLEAN CANE! IT LOOKS LIKE COXHEATH!!!
The same noone that took down the scaffolding next door before Irma
Reading the blogs-
Quiz?
What is the function of the eyelids?
Can we even have control of our imagination anymore?
Help the brother…and stop hating!!!
Are our people really/truly serious about tourism as an economic pillar?
My children has travelled extensively and it will be very difficult at this time to come back home with our mentality as a people- although I am dying to do so. We as melanated people need to change how we treat each other.
One of my daughters’ links abroad:
https://youtu.be/1RGLYBGy9_0
The world is watching.
Plug. ZBVI Radio online. The Chairman, I am still listening. School Dayz…
My daughter, Sapphire, said to also plug PULSE VI – young people thing that.
That is it, I am out for good.Why do you guys always destroy everything that attracts the tourist. If it is a liability thing, have everyone sign a contract. I went zip lining in Costa Rica,I had to sign a liability contract.I want bungee jumping in Africa I had to sign a liability contract. The contract is to assure that if anything happens, the owner is not responsible.
LORD THOSE 4 GIRLS LOOK HEALTHY…IF IT THOSE TYPE OF LOOKING GIRLS IT IS ATTRACTING I SAY HELL YEAH !!!!
cause y’all damn fool
Let us stop being ignorant here for a minute! If someone becomes entangled in that swing or some freak accident were to occur as a result of it, then where does the liability fall when nothing formal is put in place? It’s a swing in the sea water and while it looks nice, fun and simple, things can and will happen, especially adding the fact that it’s located at a bar location. I like the swing but I think common sense should prevail. I’m sure it will be allowed back once the proper protocol is followed especially regarding liability for any issues occurring as a result of it being there. The beach is public so the responsibility of government so if a tourist is hurt as a result of the swing and take legal action, who is responsible? Let’s think pass our noses.
Wrong is wrong. Do the right thing Mr. Cline. Ignorance is no excuse. The law is the law.
Mitch the world was and is listening to all your comments about outsiders words that r coming out of some of high and mitty bvi born here will soon come back and bite u all inthe
A$$$.
A drunk cracker, rope and water just seems like a very very very bad combination to me….. remove it and lets keep things original. Cgb seems to be all about booze, food and dog s**t everywhere.
Where does it stop? A few years ago one establishment added a beach bar in front of thir building encroaching on the sand beach so the next one does the same. Now that same place sticks a swing and a big sign out in the water. Will Myetts/Pussers do it next? Can the Elm add one? When Stanleys gets rebuilt do they get to put one up too?
Pretty soon beach goers will have no clear view of the water for all the arches, signs and swings.
You locals are always bad talking we expatriates but don’t worry y’all will soon be eating each other locals flesh and blood time will tell.
@ God’s creation
Stop it!!! What does this have to do with anything? Its a wrong or right situation nothing to do with local or expatriates. Get a life please.
just discontinue employment, pack and leave. Maybe the rest of the non-haters would finally unite and develop a better thinking society.
Ok so where is the 2nd district representative on this one, oh i forgot it’s his uncle who owns Paradise club.
Busy riling up citizens to protest the house of Assembly
A swing for you today, bar in the water for somebody else tomorrow. Where will it end? The policy is nothing built on the beach so we can actually have a beach and not a commercial ghetto. This is the policy, follow the rules get over it. We BVIsalnders are our own worst enemy.
You sound like a drip. Do you think people is going to spend thousands of dollars to come here to just walk around with nothing to do huh. What the hey is wrong with you tight A££ people.
Actually yes. If you had any understanding about quality tourism you would know that.
Someone building a few hotel rooms in the same spot over the water like the ones in Figi and Tahiti.
So i guess if quitos had done it it was ok?
I Love This idea…..its different….My opinion is that the local ppl jus afraid of change…..like gosh, do new stuff, approve unique ideas….whenever u travel , u see all sorts ah things u never thought of, but its what makes those places what they are and the BVI remain plain,outdated n dry looking but yall expect tourists to come back year after year to see exactly what they saw the last yr……accept change Geez man Government goin to all lengths with tourism but what are u welcoming them to ? strupes
It’s anything but different love. Have a looksee on the internet and see all of the other lovely little treasures of the world turned into just another photo-op. Gross.
quick action for a Brilliant Idea for Tourist Attraction to remove it BUT Sewage running everyday in Canegarden Bay for years and no action taken up to now to the No.1 Beach in the BVI. Obviously your priorities are mixed up as usual.
Ok just one swing is sort of ok but if one person is allowed to break the rules then .in time these swings will be everywhere
ALL ayo who defending this BS is fools. What Kinda sick lawless heck promoting. Just cause you like it or “it look nice”??? It is ah straight up violation and was asked to be removed. WE HAVE RULES AND PROCEDURES! Some one of the comments above pointed it out beautifully. Man out here doing what them want, then asking for forgiveness cause it’s wayyy easier than getting permission. Man trying play smart around the law and IT IS WRONG.
but trellis bay have one in the water.
Cline just needed to apply for a seabed license pay his $1000 one approved then put it in, he has no right to the seabed unless given his property ends at the vegetation which is far from where this swing is.
Well Paradise must be nice once in have ladies in bathing suits I love to see the model in the Green Bathsuit someone please give me her name and number I have a contract in the swimsuits Edition
Go ahead BVI,run the tourist off. We have things for the tourist to see and do down here and more revenue for the USVI. It is not about us,every tourist is welcomed and treated as such when they come on the ship or plane. You all are driving the tourist industry away from the BVI. People is reading and saying OK, they have no intrest in visiting a place where everything gear to attract the tourist is a problem or is destroy.IE..the pretty signs, is deemed evil,the blue ball, deemed evil, rude taxi drivers, tour busses usafe and the list goes on and on.
To LMAO, USVI
What is even more disappointing reading from abroad, is that, there are rarely any alternatives or substantive suggestions/solutions offered.
All one read about is the bashing, hating, and tearing-down of any and everything, including each other. Why can’t we become more solution minded and offer more positives than negatives.
Is there a committee for the communal areas in each district that looks over public areas to make sure they are cleaned, beautified, and up to an shared/agreed standard by all business stakeholders and residents alike? A shared responsibility and funding?
Said committee can be responsible for making sure the proper legal regulations and liability coverages are in placed, or offer other shared and agreed suggestions.
The link above offered some suggestions in a number of areas, if anyone was diligent enough to view it with an opened mind.
The tourist sector is getting more and more fierce, and we must become more creative to attract quality tourists. As in the video, why not a designated area for fun things and photos that fit in with the shared vision of the location, “a picture is worth a thousand advertising words,” transmits instantly around the world.
Suggestions, Solutions, Actions.
IF A TOURIST GETS INJURED WHILE USING THIS THING THEY WILL SUE THE TOURIST BOARD. IT HAPPENED BEFORE WHEN A TOURIST WAS INJURED WHILE JUMPING OFF THE WILLY T
I don’t know if the people that is in charge at the Tourist Board knows how to really run a Tourist Board or are they Just there based on friendship or what. No one seems to know how to promote the Island. Other Caribbean Islands is way ahead in the game.Jamacia,Bahamas,Usvi, Aruba,Bermuda and Trinidad is excellent when promoting there Island.I was in New York City not to long ago and the above named Islands there were Adds promoting there Island on the Subway walls,in the trains, on the side of busses and on yellow cabs. Not one Add promoting the BVI.I agree, anything that the paying tourist likes is taken away, becomes a problem or deemed evil.Someone said the Cruise passangers only spend on drinks and a few cheap T shirts. Well, what else is there to do or spend money on.
Do the people of CGB (those on the beach) want attractions that are appealing and/or informative or trashy? A lovely new hotel and trashy just don’t make a good marriage. Why not do things that would truly complement the new hotel, Bobby’s, Myettes etc. In other words – do something with class! Oh, and while you all are at it – clean the place!
Ppl who cannot swim should not pose in swim wear..true?
De c*t dem kinda fat…
? yuh know the owner from here right? ???
I was sat on a seat opposite this swing the other day and legit watched mesmerized for an hour as I watched countless girl after countless girl pushing their booty out, flinging their hair and legs seductively in the air, all for the perfect Insta pic. Please remove the swing, it represents everything bad in the world by attracting these vacuous, identical, non-originals. The beach is slowly turning into a cr*phole, losing all of its’ charm. Don’t even get me started on P*****s at M****s. Soul destroying. Utterly soul destroying. #Natureslittlesecretnomore