PM Skerrit highlights transformative impact of Cabrits Marina development on Portsmouth

Dominica: Cabrits Marina’s groundbreaking ceremony was held at Bell Hall, Portsmouth on the evening of May 25. Prime Minister of Dominica Dr Roosevelt Skerrit, referred to the beginning as a significant step for the Portsmouth community and country’s economy.

During the parliament session last month, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit had announced the groundbreaking ceremony Marina for Portsmouth will take place on May 25 and the administration kept the word and organised the ceremony for the much-talked-about Marina on the same day.

PM Skerrit, at the groundbreaking ceremony, sharing his vision about Cabrits Marina, stated that this marina project is more than just a construction effort. It is a representation of a transformative step for the Portsmouth community and Dominica as a whole.

Highlighting the administration’s goals, he stated that the government’s goal is to create a world-class marina that will be an example the nearby regions will look up to and will also have a significant economic and social impact on Dominica.

The minister further shared the developmental plan of Cabrits Marina and outlined that it will progress in three phases.

The first phase, Marina Basin Development will cover the construction of the super yacht Marina Basin which will be spread over 50,000 square meters.

The Marina will include slips for 100 yachts with spaces for vessels up to 150 feet. There will be three slips for yachts up to 115 feet and three slips for yachts up to 150 feet. This also indicates that these slips will be able to dock the world’s largest yachts in Dominica.

PM Skerrit, outlining the completion date states that the dredging of the basin, installation of the yachting infrastructure will take eighteen to twenty-four months to complete and Dominica will be able to welcome yachts and guests after exact two years from today.

After the dredging of the Basin, the attention will turn towards Phase 2 development that will focus on the Marina Village. Village’s construction will start after stabilizing the soil around the basin and will include 50,000 square meters of land featuring a customs house for completion of formalities of vessels arrived will be done. The village will have an administration building that will have offices and will include commercial space.

PM Skerrit highlighted the administration’s aim of attracting world-class facilities, world-class restaurants, and world-class retail in the Marina Village and it will also feature 15 food and beverage outlets, retail shops, and other amenities. He shared that the village is expected to be completed within 12 months following the stabilization process.

“Our aim is to make this marina as a must stop for all vessels in the Caribbean Sea” PM Skerrit said. He further said the administration is focused in making Dominica as the first choice of every traveller.

Moving ahead sharing about the Phase 3, PM Skerrit unveiled that it will include construction of the Residential Units. These units are will serve the Dominican Diaspora, digital nomads, and regional neighbours from Guadalupe and Martinique, Prime Minister shared.

PM Skerrit explained the aim behind this project is to create a vibrant community that attracts high-net-worth individuals and offers world-class living facilities. Further, PM Skerrit outlined the cost of the project, sharing that Cabrits Marina will cost about US $75 million, that will be financed by the Citizenship by Investment programme.

According to the data shared by the government, Dominica currently receives 2000 yacht per year, bringing along 7000 to 9000 passengers. However, the development of Cabrits Marina is likely to increase the number of visitors.

Cabrits Marina, is planned to be sustainable and environmentally friendly development and will become “hub of activity”. This project will also boost the local businesses and create jobs for the locals. The marina will offer exceptional services and entertainment options to the visitors and will attract people from around the world.

PM Skerrit further shared the upcoming projects that the government is working on new modern cargo port, that will be constructed in Canefield, and construction of cruise village at Woodbridge Bay.

The ceremony was attended by several other dignitaries and locals of Portsmouth.