Grand Bahama Shipyard may not run at full steam for some time as a result of last week's crane failure, but work will carry on, says a determined David Skentelberry.
A construction crane fell on the 5,400-berth Oasis of the Seas (built 2009) on April 1 while undergoing routine maintenance at the yard, causing injuries to eight workers.
"Without a doubt, the Grand Bahama Shipyard will be one dock down for some little while," the chief executive said Tuesday at a company reception in Miami Beach during Seatrade Cruise Global 2019.
He said the yard's two other drydocks have a "healthy orderbook" and are presently occupied by a cruiseship and other vessels.
The yard, owned by Carnival Corp and Royal Caribbean Cruises, has 29 drydocks scheduled for this year, up from 23 last year.
"We will keep working and we will maintain our orderbook," he said, drawing a round of applause from the large crowd of attendees.
The Bahamas Maritime Authority is investigating the accident to determine the cause.
"We recognise that we are a major employer in Grand Bahama and we have a lot to focus on going ahead," he said.
"We will do what we can to minimise the impact on the local economy and to continue to service all of our customers."
He said the rest of the year will be challenging but the yard will continue to grow its future market share.
"We will keep that position in the marketplace that we are so proud of," he said.
Senator the Honourable James Kwai Thompson, Grand Bahama minister of state, also spoke at the reception, reminding everyone how important the shipyard is to the small nation's economy.
"It is one of the largest employers on Grand Bahama, and one of the largest procurement businesses on Grand Bahama," he said.
"It is also a very good corporate citizen."
He said the government was very impressed with how quickly the shipyard responded to the accident to ensure everyone's safety and well being.
"It showed us really the kind of company they are, not in good times, but the type of company they would be challenging times," he said.
"We commend them for their response."
