THE DOCK! THE DOCK!

January 1999 Table of Contents - Current Issue of The Abaco Journal - Abaco Bahamas' Home Page

THE DOCK! THE DOCK!

Many people attended the Rotary Club of Abaco's 7th December meeting hoping to hear more about the government's intention with regard to the Marsh Harbour Dock. What they heard from Minister of Works Tommy Turnquest appeared to put an end to all discussion.

"Tonight, I am able to report that the government has decided, once again, to move forward with the Marsh Harbour Dock," said Minister Turnquest during his address. "You might be aware that as a result of representation by the private sector to build docking facilities at Snake Cay, the government deferred progress on the dock plans. However, following my meeting with the three major shipping companies here in Abaco, and a local government town meeting, both held in early October when we heard the need for the dock in Marsh Harbour and the inherent higher costs associated with transportation from Snake Cay, we have decided that the best interests of the community would be served at Marsh Harbour, and plans are now in train to provide the much needed relief. I might also add that Mr Patrick Bethel's strong letter of disgust did not go unnoticed."

Mr Bethel was not alone, apparently. During the question session which followed the Minister's address, Mrs Nadeen Beneby expressed concern about the fire hazard presented by the dock and vessels containing thousands of gallons of cumbustible fuel so close to the residential area of Marsh Harbour. "My mother's house is within one hundred feet of the dock and a maritime conflagration would threaten the whole settlement."

Former MP Frederik Gottlieb said he felt any increase in costs incurred by carrying freight from Snake Cay would be offset within a few years by the avoidance of congestion in Marsh Harbour, which is a tourism venue. "I don't say the dock should necessarily be at Snake Cay, but it should be somewhere other than Marsh Harbour." With reference to those businessmen who want the dock at Marsh Harbour he said: "They're not looking beyond the end of their noses."

Bill Johnson said he had once supported improving the Marsh Harbour port. "Then I had second thoughts." He noted that a dock at Snake Cay would be very inconvenient for those on the Cays. He suggested that an area of Murphy Town would be most appropriate as the site of a new community port. "You can call it Port Murphy. We have the deep water, we have the road, we have three-phase electricity, and it's Crown land."

At this point, Minister Turnquest said: "There are obviously views that have never been articulated in such a forceful fashion as the last three speakers. We will take them into consideration, absolutely."

Joe Sawyer added to the call for the dock to be situated at Murphy Town rather than Marsh Harbour. Even MP Robert Sweeting tipped a nod in that direction. He was against the dock being at Snake Cay not for economic reasons but for ecological reasons. "There are beautiful reefs in the offshore turning area that must be protected." He pointed out that there would be congestion in Marsh Harbour regardless of where the dock was situated. Reg Patterson concluded the question session (which was really an Op-Ed session; no questions were asked) by reminded the government through the Minister that whatever it invested in Abaco "would come back double or treble".

When Minister Turnquest told the over forty people present that the dock would be in Marsh Harbour, there were distinct grumbles among the scattered applause. Every speaker against the proposition was roundly applauded. Another Cabinet minister, Tennyson Wells, had indicated during a November Rotary Club of Abaco meeting that the government was leaning towards situating the dock outside Marsh Harbour. The debate, it appears, continues.

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