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It's now the Errol Flynn Marina

BY Olivia Leigh Campbell Observer staff reporter
Monday, June 26, 2006

THE marina at Port Antonio will now be known as the Errol Flynn Marina, named for the long-dead movie star, a move its owners hope will help to brand the facility among its intended clientele - high-income luxury yacht owners.

". We needed a brand we could take to the market that had some recognition, some sense of spirit and adventure, that could give some history and story behind it, that would create an interest for someone to want to come to Port Antonio versus any other port," said Port Authority of Jamaica (PAJ) vice-president for cruise shipping, William Tatham.

Patrice Wymore Flynn, widow of Hollywood star Errol Flynn, for whom the marina at Port Antonio was renamed, presents the captain of the Durban Clipper with a locally carved 'cock' for placing first in the Panama to Jamaica leg of the Clipper '05-'06 Round the World Yacht Race. Other crew members of the Durban Clipper celebrate in their Rasta tams.The yachts and crews departed Port Antonio on the weekend. (Photo: Karl McLarty)

The marina, opened by former prime minister P J Patterson in 2002 with great fanfare, includes the Ken Wright Cruise Pier, 32 berths that can accommodate yachts up to 76 metres long, a free zone boat yard, on land storage for 50 boats, a restaurant and several shops.

Since its opening, the marina has been criticised as a 'white elephant', but the Port Authority said it was confident that while the marina was not operating at full capacity, it would eventually, given the right marketing and promotion.
"Once people come here, they fall in love, but when you ask captains, 'Why not go to Port Antonio?', they ask, 'What's that?'," said Tatham.

"Now, not only is Port Antonio beautiful, but that it has some history, some mystique, gives us something to bring the people in. And now, here's this world famous icon, in movies and stuff, who loved the place, and that should help us to sell the marina, Port Antonio, and by extension, Jamaica."

Errol Flynn, whose name and image will now be central to the marina's brand, was one of Portland's most famous residents.
His name has been used in the past to pull tourism business to Jamaica's rustic eastern shores, in particular, rafting on the Rio Grande.

Flynn, a Hollywood actor, gained his fame in the middle of the last century as a movie star with a flamboyant lifestyle, which at times seemed to outshine his achievements on screen.

In the 1940s, ostensibly fleeing the backlash of a statutory rape case in Los Angeles, Flynn, who was rumoured to have uncountable sexual relations with women, and occasionally men, purchased property in Jamaica, and introduced many of his celebrity friends to the island, sometimes taking them for raft cruises and throwing lavish parties at his estate.

At the renaming ceremony on Tuesday night, Flynn's widow, Patrice Wymore Flynn, who still lives on and operates the family's estate and ranch in rural Portland, alluded to her late husband's colourful character and passion for Jamaica, relating anecdotes about the former movie star.

"When Errol first laid eyes on Jamaica, it was an instant love affair. (It was) the beauty that captured us, the warmth of the people and the quiet, tranquil life. In fact, Errol has been quoted as saying that Port Antonio is more beautiful than any woman he had ever met. That was before he met me," said Wymore Flynn to peals of laughter from the audience.

It was Flynn's and her dream to pursue a venture similar to the marina, she said, explaining that their plan never came to fruition because she and her husband were too busy managing their careers, their marriage and their daughter.

"But I can't tell you how thrilled I am to see a dream and a vision come to reality. I think this is one very positive step forward that will help to return Jamaica to its status as jewel of the Caribbean," said Flynn, who still raises cattle on her 1,000-acre estate.

At the same event, prizes were awarded to winners of leg 6, the Panama to Jamaica segment of the Clipper '05-'06 Round the World Yacht Race, boats from which were berthed at the marina since June 17.

The yacht team from Durban, South Africa came away winners and were awarded a large, locally-carved cock to be installed on the ship's bow as a mark of the bragging rights the team earned for its effort.

In third place was the New York Clipper, and second was the team from Western Australia. Ten yachts are participating in the race, and represent major world cities. The other seven teams represent Qingdao, Singapore, Jersey, Victoria, Cardiff, Liverpool and Glasgow.

Hotel Mocking Bird Hill Sustains no Damage During Hurricane Dean and is Open and Ready to Welcome Guests

Port Antonio Jamaica 26 August 2007

The managers and co-owners of Hotel Mocking Bird Hill, Shireen Aga and Barbara Walker report that the massive Hurricane Dean that hit Jamaica on Sunday 22 August 2007 did no damage to the infrastructure of the well-known boutique hotel tucked away in the hills of Port Antonio despite the fact that the eastern end of the island suffered the most damage from the incredibly powerful winds. The winds were so powerful that a large number of the trees on the hotel's grounds have been blown down. Happily nature recovers very quickly in the tropics and already fresh green shoots can be seen appearing amidst the tangle of trunks and branches. The gardens will certainly be even more beautiful after nature's extreme way of pruning.

Prior to the storm the management ensured that everything was safe and secure and that the guests were well informed and prepared. All guests were able to telephone their families before the storm– a complimentary service provided by the hotel- and during the storm they were well cared for inside the hotel's strong and sound building where delicious meals were served throughout the day. Lunch and tea were complimentary.

“We were naturally very worried about the effects of the storm, but we were well prepared so that we could protect and secure life and property,” reported Shireen Aga.

The gardeners at the hotel are now working very hard to clear the grounds so that tree re-planting can begin. The sun is back out again and the Caribbean in once again its usual calm and glistening turquoise self and Hotel Mocking Bird Hill is open, ready and able to welcome visitors to Jamaica's most beautiful corner.

Much of the island has had electricity restored, but due to the extensive damage in Port Antonio it could take as much as another week before all systems are repaired. Hotel Mocking Bird Hill has a 10Kw generator which means that the hotel's operations are assured. Hotel Mocking Bird Hill Sustains no Damage During Hurricane Dean and is Open and Ready to Welcome Guests.

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