Another first for Sandals Resorts International

Nagra Plunkett, Hospitality Jamaica Writer

SANDALS RESORTS International (SRI) has commenced an in-house Captains Training Programme, aimed at educating its 108 boat captains on operating marine mechanical machinery.

The staff enhancement project, which began at the start of this year, follows a decision by the region's largest all-inclusive hotel chain to open a US $500,000 (approximately J$31 million) marine maintenance facility, which was commissioned in October 2003.s

"The programme has three sections dealing with basic mechanical theory, knowledge of water sports equipment, as well as boat construction. The third is rules of the road to include weather and fire prevention," explained Adam Stewart, SRI group director of resort product.

He said that at the end of each subject area, participants are given written and practical exams. "They basically have a career for life," said Stewart. They will be technically competent to operate any marine vessel of any size, and have true understanding of what makes a marine vessel starts every day of life," he added.

STATE-OF-THE-ART COMPUTERISED SYSTEM

The location of the marina at Providence in St. James was used by its previous owners to operate a service station. He said the decision to purchase and rehabilitate the building, came out of a need to have a specially designed facility to service its fleet of 76 water sports vessels, to ensure guest satisfaction.

Internationally-licensed Captain, Mitch Pilon, manages the boatyard with a staff of seven full-time mechanics and two casual workers.

"What we have here is an industry first. We created a state-of-the-art computerised system that even allows general managers from the different properties to go online and check repairs of boats from their hotels," boasted Mr. Stewart.

"The concept has been introduced region by region throughout Jamaica to all our GMs and water sports staff. We will be going off island to our properties in St. Lucia, Bahamas, Turks and Caicos and Antigua."