The Tribune

By YOURI KEMP

Tribune Business Reporter

ykemp@tribunemedia.net

A TOUR and excursion provider says its plans to offer a “different experience” for both Bahamians and tourists after investing more than $200,000 over the past year in its launch.

Demetrius Hepburn, chief executive of Cruising Adventures, told Tribune Business the business plans to hire nine employees initially after being receiving financial support from the Bahamas Entrepreneurial Venture Fund, the Government-sponsored venture capital fund.

“We will hire nine people altogether. Our plan is by Spring Break time we have over 26 boats in the water, so we’re going to be running tours and giving people an opportunity to self-drive the boats themselves. Instead of sitting on the boat, they get the opportunity to drive the boat, so we take them on a guided tour around the port,” Mr Hepburn said.

The vessels are mini 15-foot speed boats able to accommodate a maximum of two persons. Mr Hepburn said he learned how to build the boat from ship builders in Mexico, and brought the patent back to The Bahamas where he employed locals to manufacture the first 10 boats that launched yesterday from beneath the Sir Sidney Poitier Bridge behind the Malcolm Park.

“We ran through unforgettable experiences, trials and tribulations building these boats, purchasing materials, wasting materials. It was all a part of our growing pain,” Mr Hepburn said.

“We went to Mexico, got the training in rebuilding the mold, shipping the mold and getting the team the materials. It was a lot of logistics. I’m excited about it because right now a lot of tourists complain that there is not much on the island to do when they come. We have the same thoughts we’ve been having for the past 15 years, so we’re just excited to give the country a different experience and a different tour for locals and international tourists.”

Typical island excursions are guided-only. The experience Cruising Adventures will offer is set to give patrons a new view of Nassau and downtown Bay Street by allowing them to take charge of the boat.

Mr Hepburn said: “My vision for this company is to branch out to as many families as possible, creating jobs and opportunities for Bahamians in the tourism market with these mini speedboats. Also to develop a workshop and course on boatbuilding, teaching people the craft of building boats. We can do it. In the very near future our brand would be located in countries like Turks and Caicos and Jamaica, where tourism is at a present high.”

Prime Minister Philip Davis KC, who was present for the opening, pledged his support for the company and said he will speak to the cruise lines so that they send passengers to Cruising Adventures. “We have millions of tourists that come on the cruise ship, so one of the things we need to do now that we are aware of this is talk about connecting the cruise ships to this adventure,” Mr Davis added.