An artist's impression of Royal Caribbean Cruise Line’s planned $200 million overhaul of Coco Cay.
By RICARDO WELLS
Tribune Staff Reporter
rwells@tribunemedia.net
DESPITE recent furore over Royal Caribbean Cruise Line’s planned $200m expansion of Coco Cay, the Bahamas Environmental Science and Technology (BEST) Commission has been aware of the plans for “some time now”.
Philip Weech, director of the BEST Commission, yesterday said his office is aware of all expansions at the cruise cay.
He also cautioned critics, insisting aspects of the development were proposed, reviewed and approved under two separate environmental impact assessments (EIA). The first of which was carried out between 2015 and 2016.
Local environmental activists last week slammed the massive upgrade for its impact of the ecosystem of the Berry Islands, where Coco Cay is located.
Activist Heather Carey, of Raising Awareness about the Bahamas Landfill (RABL), denounced the project in a Facebook post, calling it another example of how the cruise ship industry does very little to benefit the Bahamas.
She wrote: “Royal Caribbean plans Massive Overhaul of Coco Cay. Dredging in order to accommodate the world’s largest cruise ships. A massive marine park. Helium Air Balloon Rides. A fresh water pool.”
“Sad. We cannot give away any more of our beautiful Bahamas to these bottomless pits.”
However, responding to those concerns, Mr Weech insisted the dredging needed to facilitate the new pier expansion was approved and carried out “some time back”.
Mr Weech indicated that operators of Coco Cay first contacted the BEST Commission in late 2015 on planes to expand its docking facility.
He said the operators insisted the existing dock could no longer service the cruise line’s operations, which he said they claimed was expanding at the time.
“The problem of course was providing access to the cay,” he said.
Mr Weech said the operators submitted its first EIA on the proposed expansion between late 2015 and early 2016; and received approval a few months later.
He added officials from his office, including himself on a few occasions, visited the small cay to ensure all terms agreed to were being adhered to.
Further clarifying Coco Cay’s expansion Mr Weech said a second EIA was carried out in May lst year after Royal Caribbean submitted plans to expand the existing operations and facilities.
“This is the proposal we are still working through,” he said.
“There is an existing landscape that they want to make adjustments to. There are facilities on the island that they want to improve on and they’ve approached us,” Mr Weech added.
That expansion, according to Royal Caribbean, includes “Daredevil’s Peak,” which will become North America’s tallest slide at 135 feet; a fully vertical, high-speed slide called the Screeching Serpent; 1600-foot-long zip line ending in a splash water landing; sports amenities and several beach areas.
Royal Caribbean president and CEO Michael Bayley, in the same USA Today article confirmed the project has been in development for three years.
He added once completed, Coco Cay will be unique for a cruise ship private island.
Royal Caribbean is expected to present its full plan for Coco Cay this evening during a town hall forum in Great Harbour Cay, Berry Islands.
Officials from the BEST Commission are expected to attend.
Comments
timchuck 6 years ago
Just yesterday Minnis announced no more islands for sale. No more crown seabed to be dsturbed. Times and attitudes change and you greedheads should get on board,
DDK 6 years ago
So a lot of the initial damage has already been done. That makes it a lot better. Amazing this is just coming to the attention of the public. Greedy hands unconcerned about the future of our environment have already been greased.
Petrafied 6 years ago
That's Funny....Need to be Cautious! The Cruise Ships have been destroying the Stirrup Cays for years. Between the destruction of the inshore coral reefs, scattered debris (cups, chairs, umbrellas etc all over the sea floor) Jet Skis running all over the grass flats, barges grounding themselves on the beaches and flats, the American bridge mess........It's only going to get worse.
The only thing that the islands had going for them was anchoring the ships far off! I remember back in the day when you couldn't get a permit to run a shrimp farm on the Island! What a disgrace for the Bahamian government to destroy such a beautiful place!
sealice 6 years ago
I know right ....you see American Bridge doing the building you know the developers are cheap as all heck and greedier then a PLP crony.....Everything they build needs to get fixed everytime
sheeprunner12 6 years ago
BEST is another sell-out .......... this private cay plan is bad in more ways than just the environment
sealice 6 years ago
did they even pass legislation so that BEST is a legal Bahamian entity?
hrysippus 6 years ago
Coco Cay critics needs must be cautious, . .......... .... Rocking the boat can make you feel nauseous, . . .. ... Mal de Mer is nothing to play with, . . . . ... Misinformation should be done away with, .. . .. . . ... To cook up an omelette you must crack a few eggs, . . . ... .So pay no attention to these society dregs. . . .... .. These foreign developments bring employment and tax, . . . .. So the balance of payments can slightly relax, . . . . .. An empty barrel always makes the most noise, . . . .... ... This new PLP just want jobs for their boys, . . . . ... .. The Environmentalists, I think most of them we can trust, . . . . ... . to say what is right, not subject to money lust, . . .. .. ...... But progress we need to grow our economy, . . . . .. .. And bring The Bahamas to that place where we want to be. ......... . . .. Health, Happiness, and prosperity.
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