SCB Harbour being dredged, to be used as marine shelter
As the peak of the 2019 Atlantic Hurricane Season draws nearer, work is now underway to ensure the Sea Cows Bay Harbour is safe for the many vessels that dock there.
“Over the years, a large amount of material has been deposited into the harbour by ghuts, thereby compromising its use as a marine hurricane shelter. As such, the Ministry of Natural Resources, Labour and Immigration have embarked on the dredging of the Sea Cows Bay Harbour,” Natural Resources Minister Vincent Wheatley said.
Wheatley, who was delivering remarks at a recent sitting of the House of Assembly, said the Sea Cows Bay Harbour was developed for use as a marine hurricane shelter in 1997 following the devastation caused by the1989 hurricanes.
The Natural Resources Minister said it was the aforementioned hurricane that highlighted the “pressing need to develop proper marine hurricane shelters as most, if not all of the boats, contributed directly to the territory’s economy,” he explained.
In the meantime, Wheatley said plans are also afoot to install a hurricane mooring system. The installation of this system and the removal of the existing derelict vessels at the location are expected to be done before the beginning of the fourth quarter of the year.
Paraquita Bay Lagoon ready
Meanwhile, Wheatley further said the Paraquita Bay Lagoon’s marine shelter mooring system was successfully completed.
He said it was a collaboration between his ministry and the Marine Association of the BVI.
Wheatley also mentioned that his ministry in conjunction with the National Parks Trust is currently finalizing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Marine Association relative to the use and management of the Paraquita Bay Lagoon Marine Shelter.
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In my opinion Sea Cow’s Bay is not really a harbour. SCB is just a shallow bay where the southeast corner was reclaimed by a prominent member of the Vanterpool family to construct the Manuel Reef Marina from 2005 to 2010. This marina provides limited shelter for yachts during the passage of tropical weather systems. The eastern shoreline of SCB provides limited shelter for vessels up to 100 ft. of length. The only reason to dredge SCB is too provide a deep enough channel for these larger vessels to transit to the eastern mangrove shoreline.
It’s about time a minister recognises the importance of the Marine industry. Albeit 25 years late.