Business View Caribbean l Feb 2023

83 84 BUSINESS VIEW CARIBBEAN VOLUME 10, ISSUE 2 BUSINESS VIEW CARIBBEAN VOLUME 10, ISSUE 2 reviews and social media comments deem them to be “the best choice for dockage and storage, not only in Antigua, but in the entire region”. Jo shared a brief history on the property. “Jolly Harbour Marina and Boatyard was the dream of a Swiss entrepreneur called Dr. Albert Earhart,” she says. “For many years he regularly visited Antigua and stayed at the Jolly Beach Hotel close by. He had a vision of an incredible development although it was a swamp at the time. He set the ball rolling in the late 1980’s and by 1992 had realized his dream by building Jolly Harbour - a self-contained community, complete with a marina and boatyard”. “Jolly Harbour Marina and Boatyard is an extremely popular option for hurricane storage during the summer months,” Ms. Lucas explains. “Locals, as well as sailors from across the globe choose to haul with us during the summer based on our excellent reputation. Our safety measures during hurricane season are mandatory and considered by insurance companies to be some of the best they have seen.” “We were a family-owned and operated business for twelve years, a father-son partnership, which provided a genuine family feeling. Although recently sold and now owned by a corporation, the transition has been exceptionally smooth, and we have continued with business as usual”. Part of this smooth transition included weathering the COVID pandemic. “We have been very fortunate that COVID has not negatively affected our business” she says. “Our employees are dedicated and take pride in their work. They are treated with respect which results in their commitment to going the extra mile, setting us apart from our competitors. Some of our staff have been with us for many years, which lends to building trusting relationships with our customers, who return repeatedly to experience a home-from-home atmosphere JOLLY HARBOUR MAR INA AND BOATYARD and a unique level of service,” she adds. This mix of long-term employees and a high level of service serves the Marina’s clientele well. A significant attraction to Jolly Harbour Marina and Boatyard is its layout, safe and sheltered location and of course the readily accessible amenities. “The marina attracts a mix of visitors; from yacht “cruisers”, some living onboard permanently and others just enjoying a well- earned break from wherever they call home, to Superyacht Captains with their large crews”. “Many visitors arrive as part of a larger rally; either sailing south from the US or across the Atlantic from the UK and Europe. They are able to avoid their chilly winters and enjoy cruising the Caribbean, long-term, until such time that they either sail back or ship their vessel back home.” “It’s a very welcoming and easy Marina entrance. As you come through the Jolly