Boat operators hit DLNR • New rules aimed to save MRC from banktruptcy, claim boat owners

Five boat operators yesterday hit the Department of Lands and Natural Resources for adopting regulations that will force them to leave the Smiling Cove and relocate to the Outer Cove Marina.

In a statement faxed to various media offices, the boat operators, namely, Saipan Sunset Cruise, BSEA Inc., Island Cruise Line Saipan, Abracadabra Aquaventures and Allied Marine, claimed that the proposed rules and regulations for the Outer Cove Marina were specifically adopted to save the Marine Revitalization Corp. from bankruptcy. MRC, which built the OUter Marina Cove, is a non-profit organization formed by businessman Anthony Pellegrino.

To justify the issuance of the emergency rules and regulations, DLNR claimed that the Smiling Cove Marina is overcrowded, its navigational channel congested and the outer shores are dangerously eroded.

However, boat operators maintained that the rules were intended to harmonize and coordinate the powers of MRC with all applicable laws as well as govern the operation of vessels and activities of persons in the marina.

According to operators, MRC wants to sacrifice the safety of the general public, tourists and workers who sail on the commercial boats that are being forced to operate from the Outer Cove Marina.

They cited instances where at least three people have already been injured and four boats have been damaged in a few months time to prove that the marina is unsafe even during fair weather.

Amid these accidents, the DLNR, MRC and the National Park Service still ignored the warnings about safety and still continued to force boat owners in the Outer Cove Marina even before resolving the safety issues.

“What is also alarming is that DLNR and NPS are prepared to sacrifice the financial viability of the entire commercial boating industry, and arguably the marine sports tourist industry, in order to assist one private entity, MRC,” the operators said.

According to the operators, MRC will now control its competitors in the marina by setting adequate moorings, reassigning berths at its convenience, preventing safe access to their boats and mandating the performance of necessary maintenance.

The government agencies are now intervening in a private company’s finances by forcing its competitors into a dangerous situation by exposing their finances and operations under scrutiny of MRC, the operators added.

Originally estimated to cost $1.2 million with 76 berths, power and water to the floating docks, the Outer Cove Marina was built instead between $3.8 million to $4.3 million with only about 28-45 berthing space.

“MRC did not produce what it promised, and the commonwealth has been ripped off. It has been ripped off because the marina cannot possibly earn as much as what was expected and promised, and it is unsafe,” the operators said.