Westrec Marinas Sail Into the Western Caribbean.

Business Editors/Travel Writers

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 31, 2003

The Management and Operations Contract for The Marina

at Port Antonio and West Harbour Development Project

in Jamaica Is Awarded to Westrec Marinas

Announced at The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, Encino, California based Westrec Marinas, the world's largest marina operator has been awarded the Management and Operations contract, by The Port Authority of Jamaica for The Marina at Port Antonio and West Harbour Development Project in Jamaica. Founded in 1987, Westrec Marinas presently operates a multitude of marina locations consisting of more than 15,000 wet and dry storage spaces, throughout the United States, South America and now the Caribbean. Westrec Marinas was chosen through a comprehensive tender process issued by The Port Authority of Jamaica in the fall of 2003. Westrec Marinas' appointment of the management and operations contract for the next 5 years encompasses: The Marina at Port Antonio, Henry Morgan Marina, Port Antonio Boat Yard, many other amenities, retail facilities, restaurants and bars that make up the entire West Harbour Development in Port Antonio. This extensive project, spearheaded by Noel Hylton, Chairman and CEO of The Port Authority of Jamaica and the Marina Committee, opens Jamaica to the yachting sector formerly non-existent on this exquisite island that includes many desirable ports and cruising grounds. Westrec Marinas projects the Western Caribbean will become a new yachting destination for mega-yachts and Jamaica's location in this region provides a platform for incredible economic and socioeconomic opportunities while establishing a new marine industry.

Officials from Jamaica, Broward County and Westrec Marinas, present at the Press Conference and "Jammin" Jamaican Reception spoke on the many opportunities for development of the Marine Industry and Tourism business. The honored guests in attendance and addressing the press were, The Consulate General of Jamaica from the Southeast Region, Mr. Ricardo Allicock, and Rosalie Donaldson, Executive Vice President of Marketing for The Port Authority of Jamaica. The Mayor of Broward County, Diana Wasserman - Rubin, Broward County Commissioner Josephus Eggelletion, President of Westrec Marinas, Bill Anderson, Vice President Southern Area, Gary Groenewold and John Louis, Westrec Marinas Regional Manager.

The Mayor of Broward County, Diana Wasserman - Rubin stated: "Jamaica offers wonderful opportunities for economic development, trade and tourism. I think this corresponds with U.S. Ambassador Sue Cobb's "Building Bridges" initiative. The marine industry offers an opportunity to bridge Jamaica to Broward County and South Florida."

"I think this will open up an abundance of new opportunities for yachtsman and the marine industry business as a whole. It also further enhances the flourishing business relationship between South Florida and Jamaica," said Broward County Commissioner Josephus Eggelletion, who has also been deeply involved with Broward County's International trade and commerce with the Caribbean.

According to the recently released Marine Industry Economic Impact Report commissioned by The Marine Industries Association of South Florida, the mega-yacht sector of the industry has experienced tremendous growth from the previous report released in 1997. Much of this commerce is due to the fact many vessels base in Broward County while visiting or chartering to nearby Caribbean destinations. The addition of Jamaica, as a premiere yachting destination, will provide a strategic port in the Western Caribbean. Mr Allicock states: "Given Westrec Marinas depth of experience and breadth of operations, this alliance augurs well for Port Antonio's return to glory as a premium yachting destination. As well, this new partnership symbolizes broader mutual benefits which may accrue to Jamaica and South Florida entities through the facilitation of US Ambassador to Jamaica, Ms. Sue Cobb's Building Bridges Initiative."

Gary Groenewold, Vice President Southern Area for Westrec Marinas stated: "Westrec Marinas is pleased to add the Marina at Port Antonio to its portfolio of marinas. We believe that with such a beautiful and strategic location at the edge of the Windward Passage, it will be an optimal stopover and destination for cruising yachts. Port Antonio is ideally situated for yachtsman as it is the closest Jamaican port to Cuba, with Santiago located 90 miles to the North."

The Marina at Port Antonio offers a 50-slip complex that accommodates mega-yachts up to 350 feet LOA with a maximum depth of 17 feet, to fishing and sailing vessels. The 5 star facilities include a crew lounge with billiards, Internet, laundry and showers and soon to open, the first full-service boatyard in Jamaica for repair and maintenance with a 100-ton travel lift and 50-bay dry storage for up to 80-foot boats. This state of the art Marina complex provides single and three-phase power, three telephone lines at each berth, and shore storage. As an official Port of Entry, the Marina at Port Antonio has 24-hour Customs and Immigration available. With shopping and entertainment within steps of the water, and land activities that cannot compare to any other Caribbean island, Jamaica offers captains and owners an ideal base for their yachts in the central Caribbean. Now more than ever, Port Antonio fulfills its reputation re-establishing itself as the Jewel of Jamaica!