Minister Jay Ebanks Continues Proactive Measures for Public Dock Refurbishment and Maintenance in Grand Cayman

The Ministry of Planning, Agriculture, Housing, Infrastructure, Transport and Development (PAHIT&D) under the leadership of Minister Jay Ebanks, is continues with proactive measures to enhance and maintain public docks across Grand Cayman. These efforts are part of the Ministry’s ongoing commitment to improve infrastructure and support the island’s seafaring culture and history.

Since early 2022, 15 of the 17 public docks in Grand Cayman have been listed for perpetual Coastal Works License (CWL) approval. This ensures continuous maintenance and necessary repairs can be carried out without requiring approval from multiple departments each time. This streamlined process is crucial for addressing wear and tear, aging, and damage from natural events such as the recent brush with Hurricane Beryl. At present, the two docks pending approval are at Spotts Beach and Colliers.

Minister Jay Ebanks commented, “Our seafaring culture is a vital part of our heritage, and maintaining our docks is essential for the safety and livelihood of our local fishermen and boaters. These enhancements reflect our dedication to preserving this heritage while ensuring modern, safe facilities for everyone.”

Morgan’s Harbour: A Historic and Vital Boating Hub

Morgan’s Harbour in West Bay, historically known as Batabano Barcadere, has been a cornerstone of the local boating community since the late 1950s. Recognized by the Cayman Islands National Museum (CINM) on its Historic Crawls list of the Maritime Heritage Trail, Morgan’s Harbour showcases the deep connection between the Cayman Islands’ seafaring culture and history.

Local boaters have utilized Morgan’s Harbour as a launching ramp since its inception, with photographic evidence of a dock dating back to the late 1960s. Over the years, the area has transformed into a renowned dining destination, hosting world-famous restaurants like Catch, Calypso Grill, Osetra Bay, and Tukka West. Despite increased commercial activity, Morgan’s Harbour remains a crucial facility for local fishermen.

Old Man Bay: Recent Enhancements

The Old Man Bay dock, a crucial facility for the North Side community, has recently undergone significant upgrades. The project, which included dredging works and the construction of a new dock and repairs to the existing fish hut, was completed earlier this year. Minister Jay Ebanks stated, “The people of North Side have been engaged, and the fishermen have given their support. The Government has been committed to moving this project forward, and I am pleased that the changes will allow for small boats to safely launch and utilize the dock area for fishing and other watersport activities”

Heritage Beach: Enhancements for Safety and Accessibility

At Heritage Beach in East End, a new dock is being constructed in a new location to address safety concerns caused by the proximity of the old dock to the public launching ramp. This relocation, further necessitated by damage from Hurricane Beryl, aims to prevent ‘tailing’ collisions during prevailing winds.

The Ministry urges the public to refrain from using the old dock for safety reasons as proper permitting required for its removal is presently underway. Significant progress has been made in the development process, including obtaining the required HWM and bathymetric surveys, finalizing drawings with the Public Works

Department (PWD) for the CWL application, conducting preliminary meetings with Planning, the Department of Environment (DoE), and the Maritime Authority of the Cayman Islands (MSCR), and submitting the business case, which is now awaiting Public Procurement Committee (PPC) approval. A Cabinet Paper has also been submitted and is pending approval.

Next steps include obtaining a Registry Map Extract and Land Register from the Lands and Survey Department, and a Buffer Map and Owner Listing from the same department for Registered Mail Notices. Notices will be sent to all property owners within 500 linear feet along the coast from the subject parcel boundaries. Upon submitting the CWL application to the Ministry of Sustainability, a public notification will be placed in a daily local newspaper for two consecutive weeks. The application will be considered 21 days after the final notice is published. PWD has shared preliminary drawings, and coordination is underway to expedite the application process. The MSCR review, typically taking about four months, is being closely monitored to reduce processing time.

Photos of both Morgan’s Harbour and Heritage Beach, along with historical photos and the preliminary site plan for Heritage Beach, are available for reference.