Yacht Marina Road Salt Pond
In last week’s article / editorial in The Anguillian there was an implication that we, the Sandy Ground Community Association, are trying to “sensationalise” things. Although there has been some commentary to the contrary, we would like to let everyone know that the people of Sandy Ground are not taking a selfish stand to damage the economy of Anguilla or deprive people of jobs. We are all in favour of well thought out investment and development in Anguilla.
Here we will simply attempt to point out some of the issues that concern us with the project and the MOU
Company structure and responsibility
We do not believe that the company structure that has been put in place allows for transparency of operation or adequate recourse for the government and people should the developer not perform. We simply ask the question, so far unanswered, why has not Sandy Ground Development Ltd. been registered in the locale where it is going to be developing? Anguilla. Where there would be oversight.
Edgewater Resources LLC is NOT the developer. The named developer in the MOU is Sandy Ground Development LLC (registered in Nevis) which is a subsidiary company of SF Investments Switzerland GmbH which in turn is associated with SF Marina Project Development AB (registered in Sweden) – which is in turn in partnership with Antillean Developments LLC which is also registered in the same building, and has the same PO Box number as the developer Sandy Ground Development LLC. in Nevis. Why has this circular setup been created?
Edgewater Resources, LLC (Extract from the GoA tender document)
Edgewater Resources, LLC (Edgewater) is the Marketing Agent for the GoA. The services of Edgewater have been retained for the purpose of marketing and securing Investors/Developers for the projects referenced in this RFP. Edgewater does not have the authority to negotiate the final terms or lease or sale of any property. Final authority to negotiate and agree to the terms and conditions of a sale or lease of property is vested exclusively with the GoA and respective project property owners.
SF Investments Switzerland GmbH (Extract from the company web site)
Founded in 2019, SF Investments is the exclusive Real Estate Development Management vehicle of the SF Marina Group Sweden. Our team manages and controls the investments that support all Marina and Waterfront Real Estate Developments initiated by SF Marina Project Development, Sweden, and manages the development relations from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines. We collaborate with different groups and help foster innovative ideas towards successful businesses in the marine and waterfront real estate development area.
We simply ask the question, if the real developer is SF Marina Project Development, Sweden, why is Anguilla engaging with a company in an office in Nevis? Bear in mind this complication:
Sandy Ground Development Ltd Nevis, named as “the developer” is the subsidiary of SF Investments Switzerland not of the Swedish company. SF Investments Switzerland is only an investment management company which is simply listed as “an associated company of SF Marina Project Development AB (registered in Sweden)”. Perhaps it is pertinent that SF Investments Switzerland appears to have been incorporated in 2019 around the same time as the two companies in Nevis.
In the event of any kind of default by Sandy Ground Development Ltd., either financial or structural, we ask this question: Does or will the government have any documentary guarantee that SF Investments Switzerland or SF Marina Project Development AB, and by extension Antillean Developments LLC Nevis, will step up and become the principal if any litigation or claim were to be initiated by the government? Historical precedent could cast doubt on that happening.
In the meantime, at Milestone 1, Sandy Ground Development Ltd. Nevis will become owner of the real estate and the Salt Pond – and effective controller of Road Bay for 99 plus 99 years. We think these are relevant and pertinent questions that could carry great import down the road for future generations. We are awaiting clarification.
The Physical Marina
Our belief is that the government’s position is predicated on a misconception of the benefits of this type of marina development on an island economy. We see this project as largely a real estate development with some boats thrown in. Talking of revenue and jobs, for example, the two mega yacht marinas in Falmouth harbor, Antigua, are completely empty and boat free from the beginning of April until mid-November, each year, with the employer reducing staff accordingly. They do not employ many people. The mega yachts that berth there do so when the owners are not on board and they are “parked” to save money and give the crew relief. They are not berthed in these marinas to provide R & R for the wealthy owners. On board maintenance is carried out by ship’s crew.
Suffice it to say that whatever occurs there will be no mega yachts in Anguilla from April to November. So you have a four-month season. The promoter bandied around a new jobs figure of 900. This is absolutely irresponsible. We also note that the MOU says that the developer is at perfect liberty to engage any foreign skilled or unskilled labour and / or equipment and trucking contractors etc if they can be had cheaper than Anguillian persons or contractors. We have certainly seen this before in Anguilla.
Everybody in Anguilla is acutely aware of hurricane damage.
Will the Marina be obliged to vacate all the berths, even for small motor or sailing vessels in the event of a hurricane? Hurricane Lenny saw five foot waves driven across the pond from east to west. Please, everyone, check out marina / hurricane photos online. Insurance companies will not be obliged to step in for any clean up or recovery effort for vessels that were afloat.
We see no provision for any haul out facility or workshops. We are concerned about locations of sewage treatment plant, desalinization plant, and fuel storage tanks etc. All these items will destroy Sandy Ground as Anguillians know it. Hundreds of years of heritage down the plug.
The Big Deal
Perhaps the most egregious part of the MOU is the ceding of control of Road Bay to a foreign company. We haven’t read it wrong. It is very clearly stated in Article 11.12 a) & b) here is what it says.
The Parties agree that within the radius and the limits of road bay, as marked on Exhibit 4 to this agreement and all directions from the corresponding outmost border edge of the project, no other Marinas, Marina projects, Bottom Land rights, or Submerged Land rights or Marina concessions and developments will be allowed or awarded to third parties or pursued by the Government.
This clause removes the rights of the government and people to do anything in Road Bay without the authorization of the developer for 99 plus 99 years.
There are many other issues which space here precludes us from elaborating on. Our committee will be engaging a Dutch dredging consultant to inform us of the consequences, both physical and environmental, to altering the geophysical profile of Road Bay and Road Salt Pond – and consequent damage to fragile marine ecosystems in Road Bay and down current.
We urge government to engage with https://marinaassociation.org/ and https://www.superyachtsociety.org/ to gain indepth insight into the impact and economics of this kind of marina.
All further commentary will be posted to our Facebook Page which will shortly be launched.
We appeal to all Anguillians to send us your thoughts pro and con to roadsaltpond@anguillanet.com
Sandy Ground Community Association
