NEW FISHERMAN'S JETTY FOR BAUGHER'S BAY
Fishermen in the Road Town area will soon have the exclusive
use of a new berthing facility n Baugher's Bay, according to
an official at the Public Works Department. Work began on the
project in November 1999 and by mid March this year, fishermen
will have access to a portion of the dock.
The Public Works Department is overseeing the phased project.
The initial phase of the project involves the creation of a lagoon
in the area between the Fishing Complex and VI Block that would
serve as not only berthing space but also a protected area for
local boats during adverse weather conditions. The master plan
coincides with a broader government initiative to exploit the
fishing industry and therefore put the necessary infrastructure
in place to accommodate this proposed increase in business. Funds
are allocated to the project each year, the PWD official stated.
"Right now, we're working on bulk heading the eastern side
of the proposed lagoon; the original design also encompasses
a berthing area for the Fisheries Department," he told the
Island Sun. Extensive reclamation of the land behind the existing
Fisheries Complex in line with the port dock has already taken
place.
At present, fishermen who previously used the facility now have
their boats on land or are using other shoreline areas while
the new dock is being built. There is also very limited access
still available at the Baugher's Bay facility.
The PWD official said the bulk heading, which started late last
year, is now being completed on the eastern side and the piles
and precast slabs have already been placed. The next phase is
to complete the side along the main road which needs to be further
reclaimed on the eastern side, i.e. the area around existing
fishing complex. In addition, they now have to back fill the
slabs and bring it up to road level, before putting on the finishing
surface.
In the next few weeks, a total length of 345 feet of docking
area will be available on the eastern side. By completion of
the entire project, there will be total docking space of approximately
1,187 feet. This compares to the 500 feet was previously available
which the fishermen did not have total access to.
In fact, only about two or three boats were able to dock there
at any one time. The new facility would come complete with mooring
cleats for tying boats, which provides proper access to solid
ground a more security for the boats. In addition, because of
the facility's close proximity between shore and the road (there
is an offset of about 52 feet away from road), the new jetty
would serve as protection for the highway from erosion, it could
also be used for overflow parking and possibly a small fish market.
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