Dominica’s tourist industry suffered a set back on Saturday when a cruise ship scheduled to drop anchor in Roseau failed to do so because of strong winds.
The MV Quest of Adventure, with about 400 passengers aboard, was on its inaugural visit to the island and the call was to be the ship’s only for the 2012/2013 cruise season.
CEO of the Dominica Air & Sea Port Authority (DASPA), Benoit Bardouille, told Dominica News Online that this is the first time a ship has not been able to dock in Dominica because of winds. “We’ve never had cross winds being so strong to prevent ships from docking,” he said.
He said Dominica doesn’t have the services of tugs hence, ships come into port by their own power and the wind simply made it impossible for the Quest for Adventure to dock.
He said Dominica did suffer a blow because the passengers were the types that would enjoy their visit to the island. “They are the kinds of passengers Dominica would love to have because they are persons who love nature, persons who go out on tours and persons who would resonate with the kind of product that we have,” he said., “A number of people had already book tours…it is something that will resonate for a while.”
Bardouille said efforts were made to persuade the ship to return to Dominica but that proved futile because of its schedule.
Now Mr Bardouille you will have to invest in two tug boats because with the change in climate no one knows. If it was available this would not have happpend, think ahead for ahead think for you.
No Jackie you invest in at least one boat and rent out the services, don’t you want to make money??
I wish i had money i would, it seems to be a very good investment by the way you spoke!!!
that is true, my thoughts exactly also the design of the port need to change…instead of having the port shaped like the T design then you can have it so and have that extra L shape so that if they can’t dock side ways then it can come in straight
bardouille garcon,you not easy,did you hear or have you read what you said?Dominica suffer a blow,and you went on how big a blow it is,Yes it is a BIG BLOW by the wind of Dominica.You sounded like this was the ship that was going to bring all the good wishes for the season;how sad.
MAKE new FRIENDS but KEEP the OLD:TOURISM is SILVER;but AGRICULTURE is GOLD:
DOMINICA doesn’have the services of tugs,soo damn embarrasing, cause yall too busy building bridges,atleast one tug would make more economical sense than those bridges, glad i got out when i did, good luck to u all
Why don’t you invest in a tug? That would have been a hire right there for you eh!!
Couldn’t they have docked at Cabrits? This is why I believe Portsmouth needs to be developed and be the location for the ultimate cruise village, with duty free shopping, entertainment, etc.