Nassau, Bahamas – Executive
Director of the Bahamas National Trust (BNT), Eric Carey, extended his sincere
apologies to all boaters that visit The Bahamas year after year today.
During
the Exuma Business Outlook forum Director Carey answered a question from the
floor that painted annual boaters in a less than flattering light. He and the BNT Executive team acknowledge
that comments such as those should not have been made considering that the
yachting; sailing and small craft boaters who visit the islands have a significant
impact and role in the Bahamian economy, tourism and environmental longevity.
Since
its inception in 1958 the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park has been a premier
anchoring location for boaters who visit The Bahamas. Recently the BNT introduced anchorage fees
due to the increased annual operational cost of
repairs and upkeep of the Bahamas’ oldest National park. In Mr. Carey’s passion to defend his
organization’s need to increase income to support the Park’s operations, he
suggested that the residents of Elizabeth Harbour install moorings to help with
their efforts to clean up and restore their harbor. Some residents made
comments to the effect that some boaters were not willing to pay for moorings.
Carey unfortunately went on record to support the comments and agreed that some
of these boaters do not contribute significantly to the economy.
“The
comments which I made at the Exuma Business Outlook Conference are not the
views of the Trust,” noted Carey. “We
welcome all visitors and most importantly boaters in The Bahamas – not only to
the Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park but throughout The Bahamas.”
Carey continued
“international boaters are significant contributors to our economy and
specifically to the more boutique islands which are not visited my mainstream
tourists. In addition hundreds are
annual supporters of the Trust through membership, valued Support Fleet
members, the payment of mooring fees or by donating much needed personal
resources to the protection of the marine environment. I offer my heartfelt
apologies and hope that all boaters will continue to visit The Bahamas.”