Repairs to public docks damaged by last year’s storms are slowing making progress, as this year’s hurricane season is just weeks away.
Repairs on the Lobster Pot dock in George Town are at an advanced stage, with only the deck to lay down at the western tip. It should soon be fully open for public use.
In West Bay, contractors are now working to get Jefferson’s Dock by Henning Beach back up and functioning.
When complete, the contractors will head to the public dock in East End, near the Eastern Star Fish Fry, to commence work on that pier.
The island’s public docks are popular meeting places for families and local fishermen.
Minister for Infrastructure Jay Ebanks acknowledged this when he said earlier in the year, “The completion of the dock at Lobster Pot is about more than just infrastructure – it’s about supporting families and their way of life.”
The public dock in North Side, the Collier’s Beach dock in East End, the Gun Bay dock in East End, the dock in South Sound, the Frank Sound dock, the dock by Garvin’s Park in West Bay and the public dock in Bodden Town are all now in structurally good condition after repairs were made.
However, fishermen Olson Levy said some of the docks are still not fully functional.
“They need to remove some of the silt that has built up by the ramp by the Bodden Town Dock,” said Levy, who added it has been over a year since he had been able to launch his boat there.
Similar issues with sand accumulating in the ramps by the docks have been reported in other areas, including by the Gun Bay and Frank Sound docks.
Meanwhile, a start date for repairs to the dock by Morgan’s Harbour (Batabano) has not yet been announced.
Government previously said the work would be going out for public tender.