Cruise & Ferry Review - Spring/Summer 2021

1 7 1 including the restoration of the foot banks and installation of replica guns from the Victoria Battery. Now, guests can take guided tours of the fort and hear stories about renowned characters – such as 17th-century privateer and Lieutenant Governor of Jamaica Sir Henry Morgan – bringing Port Royal’s rich history to life. In future, there are plans to further highlight Port Royal’s environmental and cultural diversity via a museum, ecotours and more. The PAJ also engaged with multiple stakeholders, including government ministries, departments and agencies, academia, various social entities and the local communities, to identify other areas for investments with significant socio-economic opportunities. Some of these investments included the construction of a new promenade linking the cruise terminal to the town, as well as a modern tertiary sewage plant to serve both the town and the terminal to ease long-standing concerns regarding untreated sewage. Design elements were altered to reduce or offset the impact of construction. The cruise terminal footprint was modified to ensure that the mature red mangroves located to the east of the terminal remain untouched. Meanwhile, the terminal’s storm water drainage system was designed to ensure storm water is retained on site in the gravel fill and not released to the marine environment. The PAJ also undertook social projects, such as the restoration of the dilapidated and unsafe Old Port Royal Ferry Pier, which is used by the Port Royal fishing community. The PAJ reconstructed the wooden pier using the existing pier footprint and repurposed the hoarding used on the construction site as perimeter fencing for the town’s primary and infant school. The basketball court and the school’s IT laboratory were also refurbished. In addition, several Port Royal residents received tour guide training as part of the Team Jamaica programme, with areas covered including tourism awareness, history, group control management, customer service, communication skills and personal development. Storytellers were trained by a renowned local orator. Participant feedback underscored their appreciation of the potential for economic growth opportunities in Port Royal, as well as the personal and professional development enabled by the training. Given the importance of the Port Royal area, a multi-stakeholder collaborative effort has been undertaken to ensure the success of Port Royal cruise development project. The legacy of this undertaking will undoubtedly be its endeavour to drive social and economic growth while minimising environmental risk and accounting for stakeholder challenges and needs. The Port Royal Cruise project has surpassed expectations and will undoubtedly further contribute positively to economic growth and sustainable development via greater inclusion, job creation, capacity building and innovation with cultural heritage. CFR Tovia Elliott is environmental programmes coordinator at Port Authority of Jamaica A Disney Cruise Lines ship docked at Port Royal’s Historic Naval Dockyard