MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Improvements in Falklands’ public jetty in advance of cruise season

Works should be completed before the beginning of the tourist season.

In anticipation of the next cruise season the Falkland Islands Tourist Board is overseeing several infrastructure projects at the Stanley public jetty which should improve conditions making “visitor safety and comfort first”.

Morrison Falklands Ltd, FIC and Martech have all been appointed to carry out the work, which includes the installation of a wave barrier on the jetty, a new pontoon, a new ramp giving access to the pontoon from the land (rather than from the jetty) and a shelter for awaiting cruise passengers.

The wave barrier will minimise the movement of the pontoons, helping ensure that tenders have a safer landing area, as well as increasing the life of the pontoons.

“This much needed infrastructure improvement is about putting visitor safety and comfort first”, said Jake Downing, General Manager of FITB.

“Investment in the public jetty not only ensures passenger safety, but it also gives a positive first impression to cruise visitors. It will encourage them to use our facilities and services, spend money here, spread the good word about us and perhaps even come back again”.

Also on the tourist board’s agenda is the erection of a flagpole outside the Jetty Centre, so that cruise tourists will see the Falkland Islands flag flying proudly, as they disembark their ships.

According to Mr Downing the improvements are a vital first step in providing a world-class tourism experience to visitors, but the ideal solution in the long term would be to replace the old jetty with a completely new one.