Bahamas marinas ‘closing ranks’ following Hurricane Dorian

Following the destruction of five marinas in the path of Hurricane Dorian that devastated the Bahamas last August, the Association of Bahamas Marinas (ABM) is ‘closing ranks’ in an effort to speed recovery, according to ABM executive director Basil Smith.

The efforts also included directing yachting and other leisure business to neighbouring islands with operating marinas and other infrastructure.  

Smith told Eyewitness News Online, “The Grand Bahama Yacht Club sustained some damage but has been able to get up and running relatively quickly.

“Similarly, Old Bahama Bay Resort & Yacht Harbour expects to resume full operation very shortly. While the Abacos and the Grand Bahama must be withheld from the product offering while they recover, they are accessible—and usefully so—for boaters who need to access marina-based services.”

ABM immediately mounted relief efforts after the storm to get essential supplies to the affected areas, and has also run a campaign welcoming boaters to the country’s other 14 islands that were unaffected by Hurricane Dorian.

Smith continued, “This was done with the assistance of Bahamas Ferries and a network of well-wishers in the US. 

“The association is closing ranks and doing whatever possible to support those members that were badly damaged, several of which are determined to be represented at the boar shows, if only to reassure their loyal customers that they will back in the game sooner rather than later.”

Smith underscored ABM’s plans to partner with the Bahamas Tourist Office and the Out Island Promotion Board for the upcoming boat show season.

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