Gareth Davis, Gleaner Writer

Angry craft vendors and Jamaica Union of Travellers Association (JUTA) Portland chapter members yesterday lashed out at tourism organisers, and other local interests after cruise vessel Quest failed to dock at the Ken Wright pier in Port Antonio.

It was a day when local tourism interests were prepared to accommodate the American cruise vessel, which was reportedly on a trial run to the picturesque resort town, renowned for its natural beauty and lush vegetation - with an estimated 750 passengers on-board.

The vessel was scheduled to dock at 10 a.m. yesterday and depart at 8 p.m., but was unable to do so due to high winds and rough seas. But that decision did not go down well with craft vendors, JUTA operators and raftsmen, who not only lashed local tourism officials, but claimed it was direct sabotage on the part of the powers that be.

"The ship's arrival represented a glimmer of hope for us," said Max Smith, a JUTA minibus operator. "We were all prepared for this ship, only to realise that it has gone elsewhere. We have bills to pay and this is our only livelihood. I do not believe that the ship was unable to dock due to rough seas. That is a lame excuse. Ships have docked here in far worse weather before."

Spruce up campaign

Last week tourism officials, in preparing for the cruise ship arrivals, launched a spruce-up campaign and gave the town and its environs a much-needed facelift.

That effort was spearheaded by Cynthia Perry, local parish manager of the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), along with representatives from the Tourist Resort Board and the Portland Chamber of Commerce.

"This has affected us all here in Port Antonio," said the local JTB boss. "I actually pleaded with the ship's pilot to try and [get] into port, but he insisted that it was too much of a risk to jeopardise the lives of passengers, along with damaging the vessel."

She added: "I am disappointed, but have accepted that it is only an act of God. None of us are navigators and the experts categorically said it was too dangerous."

But one craft vendor, Cathleen Henry, remained adamant that the Quest, which was making its second trip to Port Antonio after having encountered a similar problem on November 2, was not allowed to dock as some tourism officials were carrying a grudge for the resort town.

"It's the third ship for this year that has failed to dock here without any explanation," she said. "I am going to take this matter to the Minister of Tourism, as this is getting from bad to worse."