NASPA PROMOTES YACHT MOORINGS IN ST. MAARTEN & ANTIGUA

On Sunday December 9th, Nevis Air and Sea Ports Authority (NASPA)’s General Manager Spencer W. Hanley returned to Nevis following a very successful promotional week in St. Maarten and Antigua, where he promoted Nevis as a yacht friendly destination.  Mr. Hanley attended the St. Maarten Charter Yacht Show from December 3-5 and the Antigua Charter Yacht Show from December 6 to 9. 

Mr. Hanley said that “the St. Maarten Yacht Show consisted of 54 mega-yachts ranging in sizes from 72 feet to 231 feet.  Most however, were in the 150 feet range.  Since NASPA’s moorings can only facilitate yachts up to 90 feet, most of these mega yachts would be required to drop anchor when they visit Nevis.  Nonetheless, many of the captains said they would definitely try to add Nevis to their itinerary next season”.  A small percentage of captains said that they have been to Nevis in the past. The mega yachts are very luxurious, and in many instances their bedroom suites are twice the size of an average land based master bedroom.  While in St. Maarten, Mr. Hanley paid a courtesy call on the Managing Director of St. Maarten Port Authority, Mr. Keith Franca, who gave him a guided tour of St. Maarten’s port.

The Antigua Yacht Show was somewhat different in that it took place at three (3) marinas. Namely, the Antigua Charter Club Marina & the Falmouth Harbour Marina located in Falmouth Harbour; and the Nelson Dockyard Marina located in Nelson’s Dockyard.  “Most of the 90 yachts on display in Antigua were sailing yachts ranging in sizes from 53 feet to 271 feet.  The interesting factor is that 55 of those yachts were in the 50 to 90 feet range, which NASPA’s moorings can easily facilitate”.  While in Antigua Mr. Hanley had the privilege of meeting with Antigua & Barbuda’s Minister of Tourism, the Hon. Harold Lovell at the charter yacht welcome party held at the Copper & Lumber Store Hotel.  Mr. Lovell and Mr. Hanley’s relationship dates back to 2002 when Mr. Lovell, then a lawyer in private practice, hired Mr. Hanley as a Receiver of the High Court to assist with the liquidation of assets in a fraud related case.

Mr. Hanley believes that the shows were beneficial to Nevis, and encourages other tourism partners to attend in the future.  Mr. Hanley said, “I was not selling yacht moorings, but rather Nevis as a destination where yacht owners and operators can come and enjoy Nevis’ unique hospitality.  I did a lot of net-working with captains, agents, brokers and press people from all over the world, and I hope to see an increase in yacht arrivals in Nevis next season”, said Mr. Hanley.

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