THE PORT Authority of Jamaica (PAJ) has recovered a piece of Portland's treasure and heritage - an anchor - believed to be centuries old at its marina facility in Port Antonio.
It was Elliott Skyers, captain of a scuba-diving boat and lifeguard, who made the discovery while diving in the blue waters of the Errol Flynn mega-yacht marina recently.
"I spotted the anchor more than a month ago," he said. "I quickly reported the discovery to Dale Westin, who is the general manager at the Errol Flynn marina. But it wasn't until last Thursday that we got the chance to bring it to the surface through assistance from a vessel in Kingston, which lifted the anchor from below the surface. It was done rather quickly, and since I was the one who spotted the anchor initially, the privilege was mine to attach the ropes for it to be lifted by crane," he added.
The anchor, which was recovered approximately 50 feet below the surface, was covered with sea-life parasitic creatures, and is just one of the most recent findings made by the PAJ, which has already recovered cannons, propellers, and other ship parts, which were submerged during either shipwrecks or battles.
Westin hailed the recent finding as a bright spark for Portland, a parish which still possesses a rich history and heritage.
"This recent finding is far older than I am," commented Westin. "As a matter of fact, it is older than everyone in Portland, and from the design of the anchor, it is quite clear that it was once used by a large vessel. We cherish these artefacts, and we are about to commence with the cleaning up of the anchor, which will be put on display at this marina for all to see," he said.
Author: Gareth Davis | Source: The Gleaner/Jamaica [October 12, 2011]
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| From left: Elliot Skyers, Wilfred Dixon and Lloyd Barrows hold the anchor which was found in Portland recently [Credit: Gareth Davis] |
"I spotted the anchor more than a month ago," he said. "I quickly reported the discovery to Dale Westin, who is the general manager at the Errol Flynn marina. But it wasn't until last Thursday that we got the chance to bring it to the surface through assistance from a vessel in Kingston, which lifted the anchor from below the surface. It was done rather quickly, and since I was the one who spotted the anchor initially, the privilege was mine to attach the ropes for it to be lifted by crane," he added.
The anchor, which was recovered approximately 50 feet below the surface, was covered with sea-life parasitic creatures, and is just one of the most recent findings made by the PAJ, which has already recovered cannons, propellers, and other ship parts, which were submerged during either shipwrecks or battles.
Westin hailed the recent finding as a bright spark for Portland, a parish which still possesses a rich history and heritage.
"This recent finding is far older than I am," commented Westin. "As a matter of fact, it is older than everyone in Portland, and from the design of the anchor, it is quite clear that it was once used by a large vessel. We cherish these artefacts, and we are about to commence with the cleaning up of the anchor, which will be put on display at this marina for all to see," he said.
Author: Gareth Davis | Source: The Gleaner/Jamaica [October 12, 2011]