The Tribune

By NEIL HARTNELL

Tribune Business Editor

nhartnell@tribunemedia.net

WORK has begun on a $1.5m cargo shipping dock that will pave the way for construction of a resort development in the Exuma cays.

The dock will enable roll-on, roll-off (roro) cargo vessels to deliver and offload goods and supplies for the build-out of the planned Turtlegrass Resort & Island Club.

“We are very pleased to report that every aspect of the roro project is being done by Bahamians,” said Bob Coughlin, the development’s principal. “We have contracted with CMS Marine Construction, which brought in the barge, tow, heavy equipment and a full crew from Spanish Wells and Eleuthera.”

Mr Coughlin said CMS Marine Construction was selected because its owner, Bruce Wilson, understood the importance of protecting the marine environment while engaging in activity that touched it.

“They know, and easily agreed, to the strict guidelines and protocol of the job, objective - careful handling of any displaced materials so as not to disturb existing marine life and careful restoration of any upland impact,” he explained.

Mr Coughlin, who plans to leave 90 percent of Big Sampson Cay’s 121 acres in a natural state or dedicated to sustainability, said preserving the beauty of Exuma, known as the boating capital of The Bahamas, while making it accessible for others to enjoy is his top priority.

“These are the most beautiful waters in the world, and islands like Big Sampson Cay are national treasures that should be treated with great respect,” said Mr Coughlin, who is also founder and president of the non-profit Friends of Exuma.

The Bahamas National Trust (BNT) last week credited Friends of Exuma with helping to underwrite the partnership between Elizabeth Harbour and Moriah Harbour National Park that will restore the health of the harbour. Part of that campaign involves the installation of dozens of mooring buoys, lessening the danger to marine life by the hundreds of vessels who anchor in the harbour while riding out the winter.

Work on the roro docking facility is due to finish by the end of January. The developer, in a statement, said that assuming resolution can be reached with the Government on unspecified matters - which it did not identify - impacting the development, construction of the first phase of the $50m Turtlegrass Resort & Island Club should begin in early 2024.

During its launch event in October, the project was heralded as “the kind of development The Bahamas needs” by Zane Lightbourne, minister of state for the environment. Eric Carey, the BNT’s former executive director, said Turtlegrass Resort & Island Club should be used as a model for Family Island resorts going forward.

Plans call for low-rise, low density, Bahamian-style traditional cottages, a central pavilion overlooking the sea, fine culinary experiences highlighted by fresh food and produce grown or raised on property, and freshly caught and locally-sourced fish. Mr Coughlin added that he would like to see the site become the host for an annual marine environment conference.