Marina is a “wedding memories” venue

Section of the marina Pier, looking over at Navy island

Similar to Kingston’s Emancipation Park, Hope Gardens  or Devon House, the Ken Wright Pier and the entire Errol Flynn marina property in Portie is a popular  stop for newlyweds seeking their “Kodak” moments (notwithstanding that Kodak is no more). Sometimes as many as three different wedding parties traverse the property each day, and the Marina also hosts wedding receptions on a regular basis.

Ships Ahoy for Portie

The parish of Portland figured prominently in the Saturday edition of the Gleaner, what with the upcoming Boston Jerk Festival and other events (see my upcoming post on "Super Sunday"). this one highlights potential opportunities for the Marina against the backdrop of initial signs of a thaw in strict US snactions against travel to Cuba.

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20120331/news/news1.html

Navy Island CleanUp #3: bonfire by the "8-Mile" marker

Week #3 of the Clean-up series found us (myself and an initially small group that grew with time heading to the  beach at the western point of the island. The shallow water is laid with a dark bed of seagrass which makes it prime habitat for both sea urchins (sea eggs) and conger eels, but the crystalline shore is still nice for relaxing.

Relaxation of course, was not on our minds, and the thick growth of various trees and shrubs (many almond trees, but other varieties as well) meant there was much to occupy our time and energy. The presence of a chainsaw made the going considerably easier, but there was still a considerable amount of  "elbow grease" required, not only in clearing leaves, limbs and other detritus, but in hauling stuff back to the main entry point for  final transport.

Gratitude to local fisherman/caretaker, the industrious Elvis Thomas, his cohorts, and several of the ladies in the group, for putting together a tasty rib-sticking lunch of seasoned rice (with pumpkin and saltfish bits), to the boat pilots and all the Marina hands who have assisted in the process thus far.

Oh yes, the title of this blog. Well, the Clean-up experience has turned up some intriguing and unusual discoveries (including a cannon) but you can imagine my amazement at encountering, about 30 yards from our actual clean up spot, a concrete mile post, deposited from God-knows-where, laying on its side, with the number 8 visible at the top. Wherever that original 8-mile spot is (the photo here is not the actual article), it must be quite a memorable spot for the person to choose to comemorate it on an island.

We retun to "8Mile" and the rest of Navy Island next week.  

Sea Cloud II breezes into Portie

tourist high mast ship the Sea Cloud II breezed into the Errol Flynn Marina in Port Antonio earlier this afternoon, and visitors from the vessel were visible throughout the town, taking in sights and possibly bargain-hunting.

According to Marina Director Dale Westin, the boat was once the property of the billionaire Post family and investment advisory firm EF Hutton (its famous tag line went "When EF Hutton talks....everybody listens"). expect more small to medium-sized vessels to come calling soon.

Grab yu 'lass and head for Navy Island

From the Errol Flynn Marina newsleter - "Docklines":

A community volunteer campaign to clean up Navy Island will
get underway on Saturday, March 10, and continue through each of the following
Saturdays in the month.  Dubbed “Nice Up De Place” by its sponsor, The Ignite Portland
committee,  the event will start at 8:30 a.m. each Saturday boarding boats at Errol Flynn
Marina which are being provided by Lady G Diver and Somerset Falls.  Volunteers are
being asked to wear jeans and shoes (no flip flops) , bring a hat and gloves, plus some
appropriate tools for cleaning and brush removal.  Suggested items include machetes,
shovels, rakes and  brooms. Volunteers will be treated to a lunch at the Great House on
the island prepared by the Errol Flynn Marina Dock Boys. Lunch food is being donated
by both Kamal’s and Ramtulla’s supermarkets and the Coronation Bakery.   Navy Island
has been abandoned for many years since the former resort went into receivership and
the island became the property of the Jamaican Government.  The buildings are all in
great disrepair and all have been stripped of everything of value.  The Great House,
made largely of concrete, remains pretty much intact.  The island has great historical

significance.

Originally known as Lynch’s Island, it became Navy Island when the Royal
Navy turned it into a defensive location to protect the entrance to Port Antonio’s two
harbours.  It further went down on the pages of history when Capt. William Bligh landed
in Port Antonio with breadfruit from Tahiti.  In the 1940’s it became the property of
Actor-Womanizer Errol Flynn who developed it as his personal hangout.   Flynn was
followed by a succession of developers that turned it into a pristine resort location.
Flynn’s plantings of numerous majestic Royal Palms remain as his signature on the
island. There is presently no access to the island so the volunteers will be getting a rare
opportunity to view where a lot of our country’s history occurred and also make a
contribution toward preserving that heritage.  Persons wishing to volunteer for one or
more of the Saturday workdays should call 876-477-6914 to register.