MH Dock & Airport

February 2000 Table of Contents

MH DOCK AND AIRPORT CONDITIONS UNACCEPTABLE

Speaking in the Senate on 19th January, Senator Michael Bethel deplored the state of Marsh Harbour's dock and international airport. He pointed out that the airport terminal was too small for the volume of traffic and visitors often had to wait outside in rain or in hot sunshine. Even more serious, he said, was the lack of a control tower. "It is just a matter of time... before we have a serious accident. We should not tempt fate."

The conditions at the dock borders on the disgraceful, Senator Bethel said. The facilities have not been improved since the dock was built some 35 years ago. An average of $1.5 million is collected each month in customs revenue and the figure for December 1999 was $2.2 million. Yet, said Senator Bethel, "For the want of a $100,000 dredging job, operators are frequently unable to get to the dock and have to wait outside the harbour for the high tide." The goods stacked at the dock all over the place is an open invitation to stealing.

It was noted that Abaco's hotels had renovated and expanded and hoteliers were anticipating the biggest tourist season Abaco has ever seen. Senator Bethel was speaking on a bill to establish an Airport Authority.

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