The Bahamas National Trust director Eric Carey has been forced to apologise for disparaging remarks aimed at yacht owners.
Carey called earlier comments ‘ill-advised’ when describing boaters as ‘el cheapo smoochers’ who would not be mourned if they went elsewhere, due to proposed mooring and anchorage fees.
Speaking exclusively to Tribune Business newspaper, he admitted the remarks could be interpreted as ‘belittling, demeaning and devaluing’ to the economic value of foreign boat owners.
Last week Carey suggested that visiting boat owners should pay mooring and anchorage fees, saying: Half of the time they don’t even spend $5 in the Bahamas. Thousands of boats come in and lay up in Elizabeth Harbour. Every one of them should be picking up a mooring for which they should pay, and if they don’t want to pay then they should go somewhere else."
"I can tell, with full confidence, that the general view prevails that many of these types of boaters get more out the Bahamas than they put back," Carey said.
Carey’s comments caused a backlash in the yachting community and were described as ‘insulting and disrespectful’ on the Tribune’s website and social media channels.
After several days of flak he delivered a public apology through the newspaper: "I should not have painted them all with the same brush. I’m offering an unreserved apology to the boaters who spend so much time in the Bahamas."
"For those that are still upset and go elsewhere, hopefully they will calm down eventually and come back to the Bahamas next year," Carey added.
