Further dredging to take place in St. John’s Harbour, though Blue Ocean work still incomplete

Questions are being raised about the proposed dredging of the
coastline around Rat Island, with some residents asking whether it
will be another creative-enrichment scheme.
 
Reports say the Cabinet, at its meeting on Wednesday, March 20,
agreed to develop the north side of Rat Island – in the vicinity of the
Deep Water Harbour – as an extension of the cruise port.
 
Yachts and small cruise ships are expected to make use of the
facility, as well, the Notes say.
 
The dredging will take place to facilitate the docking of vessels that
require shallower draughts, freeing up the Heritage Quay docks, the
Notes explain.
 
However, observers complain that dredging of the St. John’s
Harbour to accommodate larger vessels – including the Oasis-class

ships – has been going on for nearly 10 years now, with no apparent
end in sight.
 
This work is being undertaken by Blue Ocean, a company in which
the National Asset Management Company (NAMCO) has shares.
 
Although the depth being contemplated is less, experts are asking
whether exploratory work will be done to ensure the area is safe for
dredging.

This is to prevent the project from running into the alleged
difficulties with hard rocks that were encountered by Blue Ocean,
reportedly damaging its equipment.

Persons also want to know which company will undertake this
exercise and whether it will be put out to tender.
 
Apparently, a cost has not yet been attached to the project; but the
Executive is predicting that the expected return on the investment
will justify the expenditure.
 
This is the same thing Prime Minister Gaston Browne has said about
the Government’s rental of two buildings from his son – although he
has failed to provide the financial details of the agreement.
 
Accordingly, some persons are asking how the Cabinet can predict
that the returns will justify the expenditure on the project without
first knowing what that cost is.
 
“Is this another voodoo mathematics calculation?” a resident asks.
 
Meanwhile, dredging is also taking place at Crabbes and in the
northern corridor, with the objective of deepening the draught, so

that the larger channel can accommodate the vessels that bring
cement to Antigua. 
 
According to the Cabinet Notes, “The cement vessel in use is not
sufficiently large to provide cement that will last more than one day,
at the rate at which cement is consumed.”
 
A larger vessel will bring more cement than is now available each
week, the Notes say.

The dredging is expected to be completed in 120 days.