The Turks and Caicos Maritime Heritage Administrator- H.E. Ross

The Turks and Caicos Maritime Heritage Federation has become one step closer to realising its dream of having a home and sailing centre.

On Friday May 2 nd the Federation was presented with 2.3 acres of land at Chalk Sound by Hon. McAllister Hanchell on which to construct their home.

“As part of this PNP government administration's commitment to the overall development of these islands, the decision to grant this strategic parcel of land to the Federation once again is indicative of ensuring that there is a balance, for the economic, educational, and social development for our people,” said Hon. Hanchell via telephone.

The Federation's Administrator H.E. Ross thanked government for their generous gesture and commented that the Chalk Sound Sailing Centre National Maritime Research Facility will be kept as a legacy and a memorial to recently deceased Mr. and Mrs. R.D.G. Laing, M.B.E.

The Turks and Caicos Maritime Heritage Federation is governed by a Board of Governors.:

Chairman J.H. Parker, Honourable (Min) Dr. Carlton Mills, Becky Carlson, Delton Jones, MBE,

H.H. Hinderaker, Goldray Ewing, Lew Handfield, E. Jay Saunders, Dr. Gilbert Morris,

Federation Patron- HE Governor Richard Tauwhare.

He explained that “The Centre is in keeping with the Mission of the Turks and Caicos Maritime Heritage Federation which is to create a broad, public relationship of the Turks and Caicos Islands and the Sea.”

With the granting of the land, the Federation has already earmarked several initiatives to make the boat building and sailing culture of the TCI vibrant again. The establishment of a home will provide a safe location for the youth of the Turks and Caicos Islands to appreciate their maritime heritage and history.

The Federation will now be able to document, preserve, and stimulate scholarships in Turks and Caicos maritime history with diverse public stories of the Turks and Caicos and the Sea through the Federation's programmes, library, communications, products and publications.

The Federation also plans to have regular and scheduled meetings, exhibits, regattas, seminars, and educational programmes, skills training programmes and scholarship programmes for residents, visitors as well as visiting students, researchers and scholars.

“ The location is easily accessible along the South Dock Road beginning as a simple elevated semi-open structure with an enclosed tool storage area and workspace below. The elevated main area will house the Federation administration offices and the attached Sheila & Robin Laing Maritime Research Facility, never breaking the practical and open feeling of the place.

“An exhibit museum, with an included retail outlet and café, will be the main feature of the place with planning given for extensions that demonstrate the various areas of research being and to be conducted on the history and environmental impact of the Turks and Caicos maritime trades. The nautical retail outlet and rental of the café will assist in the self-sustaining mandate of the Federation,” said Ross of the proposed building.

The work area beneath the building will be designed so that at least two Caicos Sloops can be constructed or repaired at the same time. The A framing of a stockpile of air drying wood planks will enhance the nautical ambience of the place and show exactly what it is at the same time. Secured rooms will be enclosed to one side of the workshop for equipment, tools and materials storage.

“Boat building in the Turks and Caicos is a tradition that can be directly traced back over three hundred years. It is a craft, and some feel an art form, that commands not only a respected wage in the 1 st World, but contains enviable skills. A boat builder can build a house but a carpenter cannot build a boat”.

“ That tradition has not died in the Turks and Caicos as it has in many other Caribbean islands. There are at least 4 master boat builders and six good builders in this archipelago. There are also a number of elderly people who have knowledge to pass on,” added Ross.