Much has taken place since Spanish Admiral Don Sebastián Ruiz de Apadoca sailed through the Grand Boca in 1796 to deliver arms and ammunition to Governor Don José María Chacón in Port-of-Spain. Apadoca then used the sheltered harbour at Chaguaramas Bay and built forts at Gaspar Grande Island. He eventually burned his five ships, which were lined up at Chaguaramas Bay, after bowing to the threat of an English fleet that invaded in 1797 to overthrow the Spanish who had ruled for 300 years. Trinidad passed into British possession.

In the years that followed, development of the Chaguaramas Peninsula centered around agriculture with most of the population being slaves brought from other islands. A notable development took place in 1856 when Daniel Hart cut a narrow channel through the neck of Point Gourde. This allowed small boats to pass from Carenage to Chaguaramas Bay. Hart's Cut existed well into the twentieth century before it was abandoned and filled in.

An 1881 census recorded 775 people in the Ward of Chaguaramas, 73 of whom were boatmen, mariners and fishermen. By 1887, guesthouses were set up on the islands of the Bocas and the whole area was viewed as a popular holiday retreat. As long ago as 1899 a prediction was made that 'the harbour at Chaguaramas…must become one of the entrepots of the world" (source unknown.)

World War II in the 1940s led to drastic changes in the area. The Germans sank 230 ships in the Caribbean, 137 of these off Trinidad. When the United States of America became involved, the British agreed to acquire and lease land to the Americans in its Caribbean colonies in exchange for arms and ammunition.

In March 1941, Chaguaramas and portions of Gaspar Grande, Monos, Huevos and Chacachacare, which together totalled 11,741 acres, were leased to the Government of the United States of America for 99 years. The Americans subsequently built a naval base in Chaguaramas.

The government of Trinidad and Tobago, between 1967 and 1971, secured the release of these areas in order to make the best use of them for the benefit of citizens of Trinidad and Tobago. The Americans withdrew partially in the 1960s, around the time that Trinidad and Tobago gained its independence from Britain.

In 1977, following complete withdrawal of the Americans, the Trinidad and Tobago government started planning for the area.

In the Town and Country Planning Division's "Planning for Development: Chaguaramas Development Plan, 1974" it is stated that "no onshore marina facilities have as yet been developed, but the two areas designated for boat mooring in the marina zone (Carenage Bay - finger piers and Chaguaramas Bay - docks for industries) are already being so utilized". Scotland Bay had also been slated for marina development since 1974.

The Chaguaramas Development Authority's plans for the area included development of the area at what is now Pier One for "Sun Island cruises", a day cruise and ferry service with restaurant, conference and water sport facilities. Access by water was planned for areas like Scotland Bay and Gaspar Grande.

Nowadays the Bocas are navigated for different reasons than those of the war period: recreation, transshipment of goods, communication and passenger travel. The presence of boaters using yachts and powerboats in the Chaguaramas area is not new.

Local annual regattas started taking place in the early 1960s in San Fernando and later in the Port-of-Spain to Bayshore area. The Great Race and Sailing Week are also popular with local and foreign boaters.

Foreign boats appeared on the scene over 20 years ago and anchored at the Port-of-Spain harbour for Carnival, as many as 100 at a time. Chartered yachts also anchored because hotel accommodation was full during that season. Yachts later began anchoring at the Trinidad and Tobago Yacht Club, Bayshore, a private member's club.

In 1975, the Trinidad and Tobago Yachting Association (TTYA) was incorporated by an Act of Parliament to promote sailing and other water sports in the country. Land was designated in Chaguaramas for the TTYA after much lobbying.

In the late 1980s, George B Gliksman and Norma C Hoover published a "Cruiser's Guide to Trinidad and Tobago". By means of the guide and radio, they succeeded in spreading the word, amongst the yachting community, about this till hen undiscovered spot in the southern Caribbean. Trinidad and Tobago was referred to in this publication as "the best kept secret in the Caribbean".

Yachtsmen throughout the Caribbean were encouraged to visit Trinidad. Prior to that the southern destination had been Venezuela. However, faced with a charge of US $50.00 per vessel to anchor in Venezuelan waters, the yachtsmen pulled up anchor or steered their vessels toward Trinidad, the new destination. The influx began.

Only recently has Chaguaramas begun to develop rapidly through a burgeoning yachting sector. Since 1990 the area has been recognized as having significant growth potential. The number of yachts arriving has increased from 65 in 1990 to 2590 in 1997.

Yachtsmen continue to arrive in Trinidad and Tobago for a number of reasons. Our harbours are relatively new and away from the hurricane zone; the cost of docking, spare parts, repairs and other services, such as hauling, are relatively low; insurance rates compare favourably; high quality teak is available; and there is a welcoming environment. Trinidad and Tobago can now boast of six or seven marinas and up to ten ports of entry.

Recreational boating, and yachting in particular, has recently developed as a special or "niche" market. As more and more vessels visit our shores, the way in which this aspect of the tourism sector is managed comes under increasing scrutiny. The challenge of tourism management is to develop this special market in a sustainable way.

TOP