DLNR steps in to protect boats in Outer Marina Cove

Department of Lands and Natural Resources Secretary Jack Tenorio yesterday assured boat owners that the CNMI government will find a way to raise money for the construction of the breakwater that will protect vessels in the Outer Marina Cove.

Tenorio said the fenders which have been ordered by DLNR will be arriving soon and will be immediately installed to ensure the safety of boats in the marina. “Once the breakwater is installed, the marina will look more like a lake. We will just have to find funding for it,” he said.

In the meantime, the DLNR chief said the department will study with its lawyer the steps it plans to take once the emergency rules and regulations for the Outer Cove Marina expire at the end of this month.

Boat owners have criticized the regulations, claiming the facilities in the marina are inadequate to protect their vessels.

The controversial marina, which was built by the non-profit Marine Revitalization Corp. for $3.7 million, began operation late last year amid criticisms from boat owners on the safety issues as well as expensive berthing and passenger fees. The marina project covers the construction of berthing area, water and sewerline facility and a Mobil convenience store.

During a recent public hearing, the Marianas Visitors Authority wanted to make sure that the fix dock is safe enough for tourists when they board the vessels and that the facilities will not endanger visitors.

At the same time, MVA wants to ensure that the fees imposed to boat owners in the Outer Cove Marina are reasonable since this will eventually be passed on to the consumers.

In a survey conducted by MVA last year, 64 percent of the visitors interviewed have expressed disappointment on what they considered as high cost of optional tours.

House Speaker Diego T. Benavente, who attended the public hearing, questioned why the marina is still ill-equipped with safety features when its construction cost has ballooned to $3.7 million from the original construction cost of $2 million.

Benavente said the CNMI government must take the position that the marina is not safe so that the National Parks and Wildlife, which operates the American Memorial Park, can allow again the boats to drop off passengers in the Smiling Cove area, where facilities are safer for tourists.

While the people are awaiting the results of the audit on the expenses of MRC in constructing the marina, Senate Vice President Thomas P. Villagomez said boat owners must not be charged any fees since the status quo must prevail. The audit is being conducted to find out how much of the alleged $3.7 million was spent for the benefit of the public.