Luxury Yacht First to Utilise New Speightstown Moorings
The luxurious super yacht, Emerald Sakara, elevated its inaugural port-of-call with a second docking in Speightstown yesterday at approximately 6:00 a.m.
This represents the maiden use of the newly installed moorings off the historic town of Speightstown – a groundbreaking initiative led by Barbados Port Inc. (BPI) in partnership with the Coastal Zone Management Unit (CZMU).
“The arrival of the Emerald Sakara at Speightstown signals the start of a new chapter for us here in Barbados. It aligns perfectly with our vision to diversify and enrich our tourism product, offering visitors authentic experiences that continue to connect them with our rich heritage,” said Minister of Tourism and International Transport, Ian Gooding-Edghill.
“The inaugural visit of this luxurious super yacht to Speightstown is also a defining moment in enhancing Barbados’ luxury tourism offerings. This partnership signifies the island’s commitment to attracting high-net-worth travellers, by curating exclusive experiences that showcase our island’s unique charm, culture, and natural beauty.”
Some of the 96 Passengers onboard the Emerald Sakara, which is scheduled to leave Barbados at approximately 6 p.m. today, took the opportunity to explore the historic town.
Minister of Labour, Social Security and the Third Sector, Colin Jordan was on hand to welcome the visitors to Speightstown. “This is the first passenger ship docking in Speightstown for almost a quarter century. We are a heritage town, and it is important to ensure that those who have businesses in the town, and those who are resident in the town, have the opportunity to monetise the value of our tourism product.”
Mr. Jordan added, “We need to diversify our tourism offering to both locals and visitors. We have long been of the view that having cruise vessels dock at Speightstown, would be a good boost to moving us toward that point of creating a product in the town. A lot is wrapped up in this small town. The Town has suffered over the years from declining activity, but it has never died, the town is still relatively vibrant. We have always intended as a government for Speightstown to be a centre for heritage, cuisine and the arts.”
Transforming Speightstown into a Luxury Gateway
Speightstown, affectionately known as Little Bristol, is set to become a thriving hub for high-end tourism. The revitalized Speightstown Jetty, which reopened in 2022 after significant refurbishment, serves as a beacon of progress, enabling the town to accommodate exclusive vessels like Emerald Sakara. This initiative is part of Barbados’ broader commitment to diversifying its tourism offerings, while preserving its pristine marine environment.
Blair Richards the assistant onboard De Wizard, the pilot vessel used to safely guide the luxury yacht into the marina, spoke to the process of protecting the reef. “The pilot came down on the boat from the Bridgetown Port and the pilot vessel was down here to meet the ship. I went out to guide the rope from the ship around the cans, whereby they wouldn’t anchor and destroy the coral reef, they would be anchoring in a safe area.” The Emerald Sakara has a tender garage on the port side, where a tender was released to bring passengers ashore via the jetty.
A Commitment to Sustainability & Excellence
This milestone reflects Barbados’ dedication to sustainable tourism development. The collaboration between BPI, the CZMU, and other regulatory partners underscores the nation’s commitment to balancing tourism growth with environmental stewardship. The newly installed moorings and upgraded infrastructure ensure that luxury travellers can enjoy their visit, while Barbados preserves its natural and cultural treasures.
Tour operator, Martin Ince, the Chief Executive Officer of Foster and Ince Cruise Services Inc. who provided a scenic tour for some of the guests shared, “The BTMI, the Barbados Port Inc. and all the support teams who made this possible is very heartwarming to see. Speightstown is special! Speightstown has a magic to it and what I think is important is for the people of Speightstown and the surrounding areas to actually benefit from the ship coming in here.”
Mr. Ince added, “As a tour company, Speightstown is always on our tour offerings and we do our best to bring guests not only through Speightstown, but to stop in Speightstown. There is Arlington house, there is the lovely old church, there are lots of bars, lots of restaurants, the shops. Speightstown has the magic, and I think for the future as a destination plan, is to see how we can take this up to another level. And again, I think what is critically important is for the people of Speightstown town to benefit from it.”