The Caribbean welcomes first solar powered ferry

Discovery at Marigot Bay on St Lucia’s scenic west coast celebrated another milestone this week with the official launch of what is believed to be the Caribbean’s first solar powered ferry, The Sunshine Express.

Designed and built right in Marigot Bay by naval architect Bob Hathaway, Alvin Jean Paul and Zarious Rene, the clean, quiet, energy efficient ferry is the latest in a long list of environmentally friendly initiatives adopted by the hotel.

St Lucia’s Governor General, Her Excellency Dame Pearlette Louisy, officially christened the innovative vessel which will now ferry guests of the Discovery at Marigot Bay resort and spa across the bay to the La Bas Beach and to the numerous local bars and restaurants which dot the shoreline.

The Sunshine Express was the brainchild of Discovery owner Judith Verity, a lifetime member of Friends of the Earth and a keen environmentalist, who learned of similar solar powered craft operating in Germany and decided to launch the initiative here.

Speaking at Wednesday’s launch, Mrs Verity said: “At Discovery we have always tried to do our best to protect this bay, described by James Michener as the most beautiful bay in the Caribbean. People come here to admire and marvel at this lovely but fragile environment and we are aware that we have a responsibility to look after it.

“Innovative developments such as this solar powered, emission-free boat are a great example of the way in which tourism can be a very positive force for the protection of the natural environment.”

She continued: “One resource the Caribbean has in abundance is solar power and solar power technology is becoming rapidly more efficient. We hope that the Discovery Sunshine Express will be the first of many solar powered boats not just in St Lucia but throughout the Caribbean.”

While the local boat-building team imported components such as the photovoltaic cells, all the necessary skill and expertise was available in Marigot itself and the team is now ready to start producing these ferries on a larger scale to supply solar powered boats to the entire region—news that was welcomed by the Member of Parliament for Castries South, Robert Lewis who was also present at the launch and praised Discovery’s initiative.

Also sharing in the celebrations were children from the Marigot Village daycare centre and the La Croix Maingot Combined School who sang Powered by Sunshine specially written for the occasion by Aagee Simpson, one of this year’s contenders for the title of St Lucia’s Soca Monarch.

“These children are already learning to love and value their beautiful birthplace and are ready to take the responsibility as they grow older to protect it and care for it. As responsible corporate citizens we owe it to them to do our utmost to protect this island treasure and to protect their heritage and their future by adopting practices that are environmentally sound,” Mrs Verity said.

In addition to launching the Sunshine Express, Discovery at Marigot Bay has also taken the following steps to ensure that its tourism product is a sustainable one and does not destroy the environment on which it depends:

- Silt traps during the building phase to control run-off.

- State of the art sewage system. All grey water is cleaned and filtered and used for irrigation, nothing goes into the bay.

- Bio Vector Rational Control of biting insects. No malathion or other toxic chemicals are used. BVRC is a labour intensive and expensive method of control using land management, plant extracts and limited hormone applications specific to certain species only.

- Beach Regeneration – Discovery has spent a lot of time and money in protecting the famous La Bas beach which is fast being eroded by excess boat speed and beaching. The resort is working together with the rest of the community on building protective reefs, gabion baskets and controlling use of the channel and beach by boat traffic.

- Support for the setting up of a local environmental committee, involving all other residents, businesses and educational establishments in the bay. This is also supported by a grant from NOAA and input from the Caribbean Students Environmental Alliance.

- Use of locally made paper and other products to minimize transportation costs and pollution.

- Sensitive building style which minimizes visual impact on the environment, making maximum use of local materials and tropical wood from sustainable sources.

- Collection and recycling of used cooking oil. This is collected by the organic farmer who supplies vegetables and herbs to the resort. He then converts the oil into fuel to power the machinery on his farm.

Opened September 15, 2006, the luxury Discovery resort provides guests with every possible modern facility. The 57 suites (half with private plunge pools) and 67 rooms feature spacious verandahs affording stunning views of the bay below. The interiors are a stylish combination of contemporary chic, state of the art fittings and Caribbean pizzazz.

The world class Lapli Spa, fitness centre, mind and body programmes, watersports, marina, shopping, bars and restaurants make Discovery at Marigot Bay the ultimate holiday experience.

The resort was named on the 2007 Conde Nast Traveler Hot List in the US, is an AAA/CAA Four Diamond property, and member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World.

Find out more at Discoverystlucia.com.