Friday’s report that the sewage pump-out boat Slurpy is again available was obviously no big news, but does signal the start of a new yachting season. It’s a laudable initiative by Environmental Protection in the Caribbean (EPIC) to try to prevent too much human waste from ending up in the island’s inlets, bays, etc.
It’s often been said that most of the pollutants found in local waters actually come from land and that’s probably true. However, two wrongs don’t make a right and every little bit helps.
Announced efforts to bring back the former charter boat show absent for several years now don’t appear to have been successful. This means vessels tend to begin arriving in December rather than November, but many will no doubt be here once more during the months ahead.
While things could probably be better and, for example, the fee structure of Simpson Bay Lagoon Corporation (SLAC) remains a concern, “The Friendly Island” still attracts many yachts, as witnessed by the continued development of marinas in various locations. Over the last few decades the maritime industry has greatly increased in significance to become, along with stay-over and cruise tourism, one of the major economic pillars.
So, it’s obviously crucial that the visiting owners and/or crews get the kind of service that has led to this spectacular growth in the first place. In fact, priority should be given to further improving the product in the coming days and weeks, because – ready or not – “the boats are coming.”
