Potter's Cay Dock Boat Show set for Easter Monday

Wed, Mar 25th 2015, 09:47 AM

Advancing the sloop sailing sport to bring awareness of a Bahamian tradition, the Ministry of Agriculture, Marine Resources and Local Government is sponsoring a one-day boat show in honor of Captain Emmett Munroe, a well-known boat captain, engineer and sloop sailing pioneer, who championed many sailing competitions over the last 40 years.

Minister V. Alfred Gray, on Monday, announced the opening of the Potter's Cay Boat Show in the ministry's conference room at Island Traders Building on East Bay Street, as the start of the summer sailing calendar which will launch Easter Monday, April 6.

Minister Gray explained that Captain Munroe is a native of Ragged Island who built boats in the settlement from the tender age of nine, using the Kamalamae tree. He added that the Ragged Island boys developed the sport by competing with each other to see who could reach the cay first that was two miles away, which eventually inspired the Potter's Cay Boat Show.

"Having made impressive inroads over the past three years in revitalizing this sport, my ministry is pressing forward and presently (putting together) a number of sailing events that will be hosted in the upcoming months. It is my hope, that with the increased efforts of my ministry, Bahamians will have a greater interest in and appreciation for the skill of sloop sailing," said Gray. "It is my wish that sloop sailing will one day be formally recognized as the national sport of The Bahamas."

Minister Gray said this event would undoubtedly assist in educating those who know very little about sailing or sloop sailing, and in strengthening the camaraderie within the sailing community and the advancement of the sport here in The Bahamas.

"I, therefore, invite Bahamians from all walks of life to come out on Easter Monday on April 6, 2015, to Potter's Cay to view first-hand Bahamian craftsmanship at its best, and to honor Mr. Munroe for his contribution over the years to the sport and the total development of sloop sailing here in The Bahamas," said Gray.

The event is expected to draw hundreds to the Potter's Cay Dock.

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian

 Sponsored Ads