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Three marina plans for Brac
(CNS): Cabinet is currently considering coastal works licences in relation to three proposed marinas for Cayman Brac. One at Salt Water Pond next to the Alexander Hotel, which will require cutting a channel though the fringing reef and ironshore and building a new road around the pond, has been heavily criticised by the National Trust, which claims it could have a "profoundly negative effect" on the island’s diving industry. There is also a proposal for a marina on the northwest coast of the island, near Cemetery Pier (left), and another within the sound on the south side near Carib Sands condominiums. The Department of Environment (DoE) has said that multiple marinas for the island are not likely to be economically viable and it favoured the proposal on the north coast.
In its recommendations to the Development Control Board (DCB), which is the deciding authority for upland developments on the Sister Islands, the DoE said, “Taking into consideration local knowledge of prevailing weather patterns, sea conditions, reef structures, water depths and access to deep water, siting a marina on the north western section of Cayman Brac appears most appropriate.”
The DoE noted that access to deepwater would likely reduce the requirements for significant offshore channel dredging within the marine park. Thislocation would also take advantage of the existing Scott’s Jetty as a sheltering breakwater and it would not require any road to be re-routed.
The DCB has given this application, made by developers MMCB Ltd, an affiliate of Le Soleil d’Or, conditional approval based on receipt of the coastal works licence, which is decided by Cabinet. Located between Scotts Dock (Cemetery Pier) and the Bucanneer, it includes a swimming lagoon roughly 100 by 65 feet, which the developers say will have recreational facilities, such as slides and trampolines.
According to the application, the marina section will be approximately 400 by 135 feet with a depth of 11 feet – large enough for cruise ship tenders – with removable boat slips and a public boat ramp. All excavation material will be used on the upland portion of the property.
A spokesperson for the developers said, “We want to see Cayman Brac develop in a sustainable way and offering a high end product.” She said the project would take approximately six months to complete once the coastal licence had been approved.
MMCB has also applied for a second coastal works licence for a marina located within the sound between Kidco Dock and Carib Sands, consisting of 17 perpendicular boat slips – about 400 feet across – excavated to a depth of seven or eight feet.
The Salt Water Pond proposal, which has been put forward by Cleveland Dilbert, owner of the Alexander, includes a coastal works licence to remove 167,000 cubic yards of marl, rock and sand from the sea bed; 80,000 cubic yards to be used on site and 87,000 cubic yards to be used for the new road, according to the application. (Left: The Alexander Hotel was built in 2009 next to a pond that smells when the water line is low.)
Large boulders will be placed going offshore to make the base of a jetty (groyne), which will act as a road for the excavators to move offshore, the application states. The proposal is for the inland pond to be excavated simultaneously (a decision that rests with the DCB) and water allowed to settle prior to the opening of the sea. The channel and the pond will then be connected.
In a statement about the Salt Water Pond marina, the Trust said it was “of the opinion that any economic benefit that the developers hope to derive from the proposed marina will be far outweighed by the economic losses for the already declining Brac economy as a result of the imminent damage that will ensue for some of the best dive sites in Cayman Brac.”
Stressing the loss of protection for the land that would result from this proposal, the Trust noted that this area of the Cayman Brac coastline is subjected frequently to strong wave action from prevailing easterly winds.
“The proposed channel would be constructed through two separate protected areas, a Marine Park and a Replenishment Zone. It would breach the fringing reef, negatively impacting these areas by removing 1.25 acres of seagrass, 1 acre of coral, and 17 acres of sandy bottom. These areas will be irrevocably changed leading to a loss of nursery areas for fish and other young marine life. It is important to note that a total of 19.25 acres will be dredged and the proposed groyne would impact an additional area. The amounts of fish, conchs, lobsters, and other animals available to be harvested may decrease precipitously,” the Trust said.
“The associated beach is one of the few on Cayman Brac where sea turtles have nested in recent years. The proposed channel and associated groyne have the potential to increase beach erosion, reducing the areaavailable for nesting turtles. Additionally the increased boat traffic would likely adversely impact turtles breeding, and effluent from the marina would impact the nests, not to mention the human population.”
The Trust further noted, “Salt Water Pond acts as a water catchment holding runoff from the surrounding land through the rainy season with water levels in the pond often higher than mean sea level. Dredging a channel into the pond, and further dredging of the pond, will shunt sediments and nutrients into the marine environment. This will increase negative impacts to the reef, and sediments will threaten many popular dive sites down current with reduced visibility or increased algal overgrowth. This in turn could have a profoundly negative effect on Cayman Brac’s dive industry.”
Cleveland Dilbert, owner of the Alexander Hotel, released a statement Sunday night to say that comments made by Paul Watler of the National Trust regarding his proposed marina were “sensationalized, not based on the facts”, and accused him of “speaking to the public under the perception that he is an authority on constructing safe harbours in the Cayman Islands”.
However, though Dilbert said a more detailed response would be released later this week, he has not yet offered any factual arguments to counter the Trust’s position.
See below for full statements from the National Trust and Cleveland Dilbert, as well as images for locations of the two MMCB marinas.
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Critical habitat threatened (2 May 2012)
LIME outsourcing deal good for consumers, says CEO
(CNS Business): Following news this week that LIME Cayman Islands will be outsourcing its field services to Ericsson from 8 March, the CEO of the local company said this partnership agreement is in line with how telecommunications around the world are evolving and that telecom companies want to focus on their corebusiness, which is delivering products to customers. In a video interview with CNS Business (which will be posted 24-28 February) Bill McCabe noted that Ericsson is a global business which has invested over a billion dollars in its services and employs around 100,000 people and that this move will be good for both customers and LIME. Read more on CNS Business
Go to the full article on CNS Business and comment
In the interview with CNS Business next week, McCabe also discusses improvements in customer service, the local demand for speed and connectivity, trends in consumer product demands, and in Friday’s video clip he looks at where the telecoms business is heading.
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Moses not satisfied with CAL service to Sister Islands
(CNS Business): Deputy Premier Moses Kirkconnell has said he is not satisfied with the service that Cayman Airways now provides to the Sister Islands and has challenged the national airline to improve it. Examining opportunities to diversify the economy of Cayman Brac, Kirkconnell, one of two MLAs for the district, said the first strategy was to look at ways to capitalize on the extremely strong financial services industry in Grand Cayman and how the Brac could complement it, such as with back office jobs. Talking to CNS Business Video, Kirkconnell said the second strategy was to look at how to “work with the stakeholders and partners that are here now in tourism to grow the tourism product and find our niche.” Read more and watch the video on CNS Business
Moses: Brac economy 80% dependent on government
(CNS Business): In today’s video interview with Deputy Premier Moses Kirkconnell, who has responsibility for the Sister Islands, he noted that the economy of Cayman Brac has never been balanced. He said that it has never had two pillars to sit on as Grand Cayman has had (tourism and finance) and has been 80% dependent on government and government projects and infrastructure building. “The other 20% is related to tourism,” he said. “What we need to do is look at how we can develop sustainability through having more diversity in our economy." Kirkconnell said, “Government employs approximately 80% of the people on Cayman Brac so the economy is totally dependent.” Read more and watch the video on CNS Business
Star Flyer makes Valentine’s Day call on the Brac
(CNS Business): A four-masted sailing ship became the first cruise ship to call at Cayman Brac for six years when it arrived a little before 11:00am on Valentine’s Day. Operated by Star Clippers Ltd of Sweden, the luxury vessel, MS Star Flyer, which sails under the Maltese flag, had 114 passengers on board as it anchored off the northwest coast of the island in flat calm waters slightly ahead of schedule Friday morning. Deputy Premier Moses Kirkconnell, whose ministry includes both tourism and the Sister Islands, noted that the Star Flyer was the type of cruise vessel that was identified years ago as a good fit for cruise visits to Cayman Brac, bringing passengers with more disposable income than on larger cruise ships and cruise visitors who are looking for adventure. Read more and watch the video on CNS Business
Last fire crew leaves dump
CNS): After more than one hundred hours of operations at the George Town dump extinguishing the biggest landfill fire on the island ever, the Cayman Islands Fire Service (CIFS) officially stood down and the last crew working at the landfill arrived back on Central Fire Station around 1:30pm Sunday, according to Acting Fire Chief Rosworth McLaughlin. Thanking God that that none of his officers were injured during such an extended and dangerous operation, he noted that such incidents normally result in firefighters suffering smoke inhalation at the very least. "Firefighters' personal protection is paramount and is an integral part of their fire ground training evolutions," he said.
"I believe that the training these officers received paid dividend on this occasion and speaks volume of its effectiveness. This successful operation is also an indication of the high level of command and control procedures that were deployed by the highest ranking officer on the scene from time to time," McLaughlin stated.
The acting fire chief thanked all the fire officers for their hard work and dedication throughout the emergency, in which, from Wednesday morning to Saturday lunchtime, firefighter battled a blaze deep inside the huge mound of garbage, known as 'Mount Trashmore', while smoke and fumes spread over the islands' capital.
While the fire was believed to have been extinguished yesterday around noon, the fire service maintained a presence at the dump for an additional day to be on hand in case any part of the dump re-ignited.
"I am pleased that I was able to lead this great team of dedicated officers during the most difficult time of my career in the Cayman Islands Fire Services," he said. "While there has been many fires at the landfill over the years, this fire was by far the largest and most challenging that the CIFS has had to deal with at the landfill in over three decades.In fact, it’s the largest ever in the history of the CIFS.”
McLaughlin also expressed his gratitude to Department of Environmental Health Director Roydell Carter for his support during the lengthy operation, as well as Home Affairs Ministry Chief Officer Eric Bush, Premier Alden McLaughlin and Health Minister Osbourne Bodden for their visits and moral support during the emergency.
He said the Burger King Restaurant assisted with some meals free of charge. "This is commendable and demonstrates the value of public and private sector partnership in a common cause. Special mention must be made of Mr Ernest Powell, who stayed on site and provided fuel for all equipment during the entire operation, McLaughlin said.
Dump fire extinguished
(CNS) Updated 5:50pm Saturday: The blaze at the George Town landfill that fire officers have been battling since Wednesday morning was extinguished at four minutes past noon on Saturday, according to Acting Chief Fire Officer Rosworth McLaughlin. Earlier today he told CNS that a few firefighters would remain at the site until this evening to make sure that it doesn't start back up, however he has now decided to take extra precaution and keep a crew and reduced number of fire vehicles at the landfill until sometime tomorrow to address any possible reoccurrence of the fire. McLaughlin said that the DEH director was asked and has agreed to provide support to the fire crew throughout the night by maintaining a small team for immediate assistance if necessary.
The fire had been especially difficult to put out as experts estimated it was some 25 feet down inside the rubbish pile and required not just dousing but excavation and turning of the landfill to allow firefighters to direct the water cannons.
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SBA wants lower permit fees for small businesses
(CNS Business): The local Small Business Association is pushing for lower immigration costs for small businesses in the Cayman Islands. In this week’s video interview with CNS Business, SBA President Joel Scott said this was the main issue for the group and they don’t believe that their costs for work permits, for example, should be the same as for a large entity that is well established and can afford to pay the larger fee. They would also like to see the work permit process speeded up, as well as changes to the process “so you don’t have to go back five or six times to get different information and have to re-do things,” Scott said. However, the SBA is optimistic that, with this new government, change is coming. Read more and watch the video on CNS Business
Two small cruise ships heading to Cayman Brac
(CNS Business): A sailing cruise ship is scheduled to call on Cayman Brac this Friday, and if sea conditions enable it to disembark passengers, it will be the first cruise ship for six years to make a call on the Sister Island. The last ship scheduled, the 300-passenger MS Delphin, passed by in March 2013 without stopping due to choppy waters on the north coast of Cayman Brac. Officials said the captain of the ship decided the anchorage site was not safe for getting the passengers off and on the ship. The last ship to actually visit the island was on Easter Monday in 2008. However, not only is the MS Star Flyer scheduled to make regular visits this season but the 114-passenger luxury MV Island Sky is scheduled to call on the Brac 18 March. Read more on CNS Business
Ganja ad in local online classifieds
(CNS): Police have confirmed that they are conducting some enquiries in relation to a free classified ad on a local website that appeared to be advertising ganja. The ad on EcayTrade, which has now been removed, was brought to the attention of CNS by an alert reader on 9 February and we passed it onto the RCIPS. While the police have said they are looking into the matter, it is not yet known if the ad was a real attampt to sell illegal substance over the internet or if it was a joke or a spam ad.