Jerry Brisbane calls for immediate repair work on Woodbridge Bay Port

Falling apart: section of the Woodbridge Bay Port showing areas which need immediate attention

Local activist and businessman Jerry Brisbane has pointed out the noticeable decay and wear at the Woodbridge Bay Port jetty and has made a plea for immediate remedial or comprehensive repair works to be undertaken, particularly in the northern sections of the facility.

Brisbane cited a 1999 report by Lee Young and Caribbean Consulting Engineering which indicated that barring immediate remedial work on the port, the expected lifespan of the facility was 15 years. “That was 12 years ago,” Brisbane said.

He continued, “One key recommendation of the report was to do concrete casings around the steel piles and that has, so far, not been done.”

Brisbane also expressed fear that it may be too late for these repairs to be done today.

Port Manager, Benoit Bardouille declined to comment on the issue today but last week on Q95’s “The Hot Seat” he indicated that he was well aware of the current state of the port and said that tonnage restrictions have been imposed on certain sections of the establishment.

Decaying beams

He stated, “There have been two areas pointed out in various studies undertaken, that was of some concern and what we have is restrictions in relation to weight within those particular areas. One of the areas is not an area of much concern because it is not an area where load transfers take place. However, in terms of the movement we will restrict heavy equipment moving over that area if it’s over a certain tonnage.”

Bardouille also indicated that a phased approach to modernize the port structure is currently underway and should be completed by the end of September. He also said that there are no other areas of the port that needed attention and based on more recent studies and reviews of Woodbridge Bay there are need for repairs.

“We are cognizant of the fact that there are needs for refurbishment and we are undertaking that in a phased manner. We are putting in place methods to remedy the situation. We are trying to ensure that we can continue to have the major port of Dominica open throughout,” Bardouille remarked.

The Woodbridge Bay Port was built in 1976 and extended by 300ft in 1989.

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28 Comments

  1. YoWYOw
    June 28, 2011

    Stupse Jerry that have to say repair the port then? where the opposition…stuff like that they should be doing. looking at what the government not doing an suggesting ways of solving the issues…Then the people of the country could give all u time of Day…Sakway Gassss

  2. Anonymous
    June 28, 2011

    Gason let’s get the chinese to build a free port… to bring their cheap goods for the rest of the region to come shop in Da and improve our economy.

  3. DE CARIBBEAN CHANGE,
    June 28, 2011

    Again, we are talking about bringing businesses to Roseau, bringing jobs to Roseau, improving the economic climate in Roseau and Dominica on a whole, commercializing Roseau; therefore, I totally agree with Jerry that the main commercial seaport in Dominica in the Capital should be brought up to international standards. Take note, Mr PM.

  4. Potential Solutions
    June 28, 2011

    Base on the information provided here and what I heard on Matt’s program I have a few questions. First, We need to perform Structural Analysis(Tensile test) on ALL existing Steel Pipe piles to check how these steel pipes can withstand current/reducing loading conditions per Mr Beniot conversation with Matt/Jerry as the condition deteriorates. What this test does is that it allows the Engineer to know how to phase his/her work. Does the report from the firm have any information on remediation/repairs? If yes, is there any mention of filling the tubes with High Strength (500psi) concrete? Can some of the piles exterior sureface be welded prior to pouring of the HS Concrete. If yes then a phased approach can be used to rehabilitate the pier. Should more invasive work need to be done of areas that need complete repair, then some of these areas as mentioned above will buy the Engineers time especially with financing being difficult to come by to have continous work. I believe we have capable Engineers in the Caribbean and so we need to really work together because everyone will be affected i.e food shortage etc if we don’t work together.

    • Potential Solutions
      June 28, 2011

      I meant High Strength Concrete (5000psi)

  5. Island Pappy SHow
    June 28, 2011

    Well Papa Bon Dieu remove those pictures from this website because is now taxi drivers and vendor will cry… this is terrible. well it have to take somebody to talk about it and if is breeze bane then so be it. thanks for the information. NOVA PORT say Woodbridge Bay outlive its useful life. It’s now time for a replacement. Ask Charles Savarin for the report. Soon not even a pic up will be able to drive on the port… here goes our cruise tourism again…well so it is… NEXT LEVEL. :wink:

  6. Anonymous
    June 28, 2011

    seems like Mr. Brisbane paving the way for him to run next election. All of a sudden, too many things seems to be of concern to him. is so they does start, play like they care and when they get elected, they changing fast like milk

    • Fix it
      June 28, 2011

      Our main port falling apart and in a terrible state, until that section can no longer accommodate big ships and needing urgent attention for repairs is not a concern to you? Bon Dieu what kind of human being are you? What are you really concerned about? You vex that a Dominican talks about the issue of quickly repairing that port before more damage is done? Whatever the person’s name is who comes out with that important observation, isn’t it necessary, and in your interest and Dominica’s as well, to make the repairs quickly before the cost for repairs quadruples? What is in your cabessa, trash or brains?

  7. Observer
    June 28, 2011

    The problem we have in Dominica, and a number of other countries, is that we do not maintain our infrastructure- We wait until it starts falling apart so we can build a new one at a much higher cost. The old saying still holds- “a stitch in time, saves nine”. That beam looks like a steel tube- it is severely corroded with 100% section loss – that is not good at all. The rebars in the bears appears to be also severely corroded and causing spalling of the concrete. Here in America, we perform inspection of bridges bi-annually, and annually, depending on their importance. Dominica needs to adapt this inspection schedule. Look at the Golden Gate Bridge – if it that was in D/ca,it would not be standing. Inspect and perform repairs when necessary- it will save the country money.

  8. Observer
    June 28, 2011

    The problem we have in Dominica, and a number of other countries, is that we do not maintain our infrastructure- We wait until it starts falling apart so we can build a new one at a much higher cost. The old saying still holds- “a stitch in time, saves nine”. That beam looks like a steel tube- it is severely corroded with 100% section loss – that is not good at all. The rebars in the bears appears to be also severely corroded and causing spalling of the concrete. Here in America, we perform inspection of bridges every bi-annually, and annually, depending on their importance. Dominica needs to adapt this inspection schedule. Look at the Golden Gate Bridge – it that was in D/ca, it would not be standing. Inspect and perform repairs when necessary- it will save the country money.

  9. True dat
    June 28, 2011

    It is no wonder the cruise ship will continue to pull out!!!

  10. Zuma
    June 28, 2011

    Lets talk about REHAB FASCILITIES AS WELL

    TOO MAN MENTALLY ILL PEOPLE ALL OVER THE ISALND WHO ARE A DANGER TO THEMSELVES AND SOCIETY. I AM ASKING THE GOVERNMENT OF THE DAY TO SO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND DO SOMETHING QUICKLY. MENTALLY ILL PERSONS NEEDS TO BE CATERED FOR AS WELL. SOCIETY HAS A RESPONSIBILITY IN SEEING THAT THESE PEOPLE ARE WELL PROTECTED, AND NOT HARRASSED OR IMPRISSONED. MENTAL ILLNESS IS NOT A CRIME IT IS A CRIME WHEN THOSE WHO ARE MENTALLY ILL ARE NOT CARED FOR AND LEFT TO THIER OWN DEVICES DOING AS THEY WILL WITHOUT ANY SELF CONTROL. I AM ASKING SUPPORT AS WELL FROM FELLOW DOMINICANS TO STAND WITH ME AS WE DEMAND FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE MENTALLY ILL. WE NEED PROPER CARE AND MEDICAL ATTENTION FOR PERSONS IN SUCH A SITUATION

  11. Pastor Bon Jovi
    June 28, 2011

    A prayer from Pastor Bon Jovi (B J)

    Let us pray for the carnival committee to produce more carnival queens for the flock- Amen
    Pray for the longevity of PM Corrupt so I can be in business – Amen
    Pray for more stately and honorable people like Tony Astaphan, Charles Saverin and Ambrose- Amen
    Pray for the port facility so that we can continue to evade custom duties- Amen
    Pray for the more importation of Chinese to work the jobs that Dominicans must pay for- Amen
    Pray that more girls in the flock keep their mouths shut- Big Amen

  12. ask a Fan
    June 28, 2011

    A prime minister wit 7 advisors and something so important is overlooked. While some of those advisors busy humping the young girls looking for jobs and those in their churches our Port facility is in structural demise, the economy is in shambles -uncle Chavez is sick and Gadaffi and son going to jail. But who cares the advisors build their big houses on Gadaffi, some get thei, money , duty free goods and still the young gyals in the church- lavir doux.

  13. And
    June 28, 2011

    Woodbridge bay and Roseau fisheries will continue to need repairs for as long as they exists. They are located in an area subjected to rough seas. The decision to construct the port and fisheries in these locations was political; they should have been constructed in Canfield. Continue to through good money after bad.

  14. Tea
    June 28, 2011

    Although Mr. Brisbane is correct…. but we all know the ending to that… THEY ARE ALL LOOKING FOR THEIR OWN PERSONAL INTEREST…. SAD CASE!!!

  15. Jespen
    June 28, 2011

    I will agree with you on this one. Urgent attention is needed.

  16. Pastor Abortion X3
    June 28, 2011

    Sad sad sad. Our only port is in such deplorable condition yet we find it fit to spend 27 million on a state house, 40 million on housing from various government ministries. Mr Benoit Bardouille is obviously in an embarrassing position. The restricting of live loads in certain areas of the structure is no guarantee that a catastrophic failure will be averted.
    I’ve always held on to the belief that putting administrative responsibilities in the care of people who are incapable of managing is like giving a monkey a gun. The ministers of government is a prime example of giving monkeys pistols. One would think that the port facilities would be of tremendous importance as the core of the Dominican revenue generation and the backbone of our economy (sad but true) is based on import duties. How can the government pay a blind eye to such an issue. We have just spent 120 million dollars to “upgrade” an airport which by any standard is below par even after the so called upgrade. Millions of dollars spent on a red clinic program( Although the money spent in the red clinic according laborites is Skerrit personal money). If according to Skerrit the red clinic money is state money why waste money on a red clinic when our port facility is rapidly approaching structural failure.
    Now these are the issues that people like Tony Astaphan must talk about since his family business is very much dependent on the Port facility. Again people will lash out at Brisbain for bringing the issue to public awareness. Some people may not like the messenger but how can we ignore

    • Piper
      June 28, 2011

      It is quite plain to see. We are a reactive people. We don’t have foresight. When a chunk of concrete falls into the sea, taking a forklift and a driver with it, we will do something about it.

      All you need to do is take a look at the condition of the roads. We allow pothots to grow to the size of sink holes befor we even think of making repairs. These repairs are far cheaper than repairing a port.

      Is so we stay.

  17. CHAVEZ Jr.
    June 28, 2011

    Yes we definitely need to pay attention to our port facilities and structure. Under ISPS and STCW which are part of the International Maritime Organization, we have to meet certain standards and comply with certain standards.

  18. BB
    June 28, 2011

    So Jerry goin all under the port to remove pics just to stir up some bullsh** forum?

    • FED UP DOMINICAN
      June 28, 2011

      Why is it ‘bullsh**’

      I might not be a fan of Mr Brisbane, but I have to be unbias here and back him on this one. What if the damaged/rusty pillars came crashing down, and the foreign freight companies decides that Woodbridge is to dangerous? Do we have another port they could use?

      No port no imports/exports only people like you complaining the shops are empty.

  19. guest
    June 28, 2011

    i wonder if he is willing to give a contribution towards those repairs…

    • Truth Seeker
      June 28, 2011

      I wonder if he would support a raising of port duties on “non-essentials” in this tax season to go toward rectifying the problem?

      Easy to point out the problem. The real test lay in: What are you going to do about it? Or what/how much are you willing to sacrifice in setting things right?

      • Car rette
        June 28, 2011

        One Word “Utter Rubish” ooops that was two words. Monkey see monkey do

    • Scare Rit
      June 28, 2011

      Why dont you bring back the red clinic money and make that your contribution

    • Fix the PORT
      June 28, 2011

      What are you paying taxes for. Well do you care at all what your tax money is used to do? BB, guest et. al. do you pay taxes? what imbeciles you all are. Even showing the world your stupidity. Skerritt and his inefficient, incompetent Govt. just cannot manage. All they worry about is how much weat\lth they could accumulate in quick time while in public office. To hell with the sustainable development of Dominica.

      So BB, guest, and others trying to blame Jerry for Govt. failure to make timely repairs to our main port? Just now you all will say is jerry that did something to cause the port to be in that shameful state. Why Should you all hate another Dominican like that for doing the right thing? As a patriot he is alerting Skerritt and his Govt. to pay urgent attention to our Main Port otherwise the cost will be astronomical, too heavy if left in that dismal state for too long.

      • guest
        June 28, 2011

        oh really! that what you calling it now? alerting the govt…wonder what’s next

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