The Tribune

Palm Cay Marina & Beach Club has appointed Demaro Demeritte as dockmaster with responsibility for its 194-slip marina on New Providence’s southeast coast.

A veteran of the water sports industry and holder of three classes of captain’s operator licenses, Mr Demeritte had served as deputy dockmaster of the five-star rated, multi-million dollar marina since June.

“We are extremely pleased to announce the appointment of DemaroDemeritte as harbormaster,” said Palm Cay director of sales and marketing, Zack Bonczek. “Despite the boating activity in the Bahamas, there are only a handful of qualified harbormasters like Demeritte and we were fortunate to have identified him and happy that he has selected Palm Cay for his career.

“Demaro has the necessary academic and technical engineering skills, followed by more than a dozen years of experience. He also has marketing strengths and the ability to handle the local and visiting boating market, as well as looking after all the equipment, docks, electrical, fuel supply and other components of the Palm Cay Marina.”

For Mr Demerite, being in, on and around the water is as natural as breathing air. His uncle and his business associates, he recalls, were first to introduce jet skis to the Bahamas, and he cannot remember a time he was not swimming, snorkeling or, even as a child, buckled in a life vest on the back of a jet ski.

Mr Demeritte, 33, attended St. Augustine’s College in Nassau before earning an associate’s degree in computer and electrical information from Tampa Technical, and a second degree in office management, graduating with high honours from what is now Remington College.

The owner of a water sports business on Paradise Island, he also lectures in the Ministry of Tourism’s training programme, Bahamahost, and has continued to participate in several of the series of hospitality-related educational classes.

Fully certified as a first responder with CPR training, Mr Demeritte was appointed by minister of transport and aviation, Glenys Hanna-Martin, to the Bahamas Water Sports Safety Board.

In his new role, Mr Demeritte is responsible for marina business, marketing strategy, guest relations, marina staff, facilities, including the 4,000-gallon gasoline and 10,000-gallon diesel supply, water, showers, laundry, dockmaster office, wi-fiand other amenities, and the day-to-day operations including assisting or ensuring assistance is available as boats tie up or leave the marina.