fp Turks and Caicos

Residents of Salt Cay can finally sleep soundly knowing their boats are being protected from breaking waves.

After waiting years for someone in government to hear their cry, in August they were finally given word much needed repairs to their dilapidated Breakwater would finally happen.

Work began in October and last week the Ministry of Housing, Works and Utilities and the Department of Engineering and Maintenance Services (EMS), announced the completion of Salt Cay breakwater.

The $643,665.75 contract was awarded to North Caicos Contracting, which was excited to be able to provide work to a few local residents of Salt Cay alongside their own workers brought in from North Caicos.

It is believed that this is the first major refurbishment of the Salt Cay breakwater since being built around 1790 by the Royal Navy to salvage HMS Endimion. The breakwater was built to more modern standards, using technically higher performance materials, such as high strength reinforced concrete to bond the new dock to the seabed.

The level of the top of the breakwater has also been raised, and it is expected that boats will be able to anchor safely in heavier seas than previously, according to EMS.

The breakwater creates the only safe harbour for boats on the island, protecting them from heavy seas, especially during the hurricane season.

The breakwater should have been completed before the Christmas holidays; however, due to an unusual number of northwesterly storms the project was delayed.

Also while in Salt Cay, the team from EMS took the opportunity to upgrade a number of main roads and the Salt Cay Airport, where the airstrip apron was repaired, providing residents with smoother roads and sufficient landing and parking space for aircrafts simultaneously.

A considerable portion of the costs for the road improvement works and in particularly materials was sponsored by Salt Cay residents and friends, with the remainder from EMS maintenance budget.

“Despite the current economic conditions within the Turks and Caicos Islands, the team from EMS was able to complete three projects in Salt Cay and as such, would like to thank the Ministry of Finance and Department of Economic and Planning for the financial assistance received, North Caicos Contracting for the revised works to the breakwater, Sturrup’s Contracting for the upgrades to the roads, airstrip and apron, Turks and Caicos Islands Airport Authority, and of course, to our hard working team within EMS, for a job well done,” said Acting Permanent Secretary of Housing, Works and Utilities Desmond Wilson.

“Special thanks to the community of Salt Cay, for their patience and understanding over the years and for partnering with this ministry and EMS, to bring this project to fruition.”

Funds for the construction of the Salt Cay Breakwater were provided from the government’s Infrastructure Development Fund.