An historic Antiguan boatyard – which boasts the only haulage equipment of its kind in the Caribbean – is celebrating an impressive feat.
Antigua Slipway achieved a milestone on Wednesday by successfully hauling a formidable 185-ton cargo vessel out of the water, breaking a national record.
The 110ft Belle Lashun II was in need of repairs – but her sheer size presented a special challenge.
“This unprecedented feat marks the largest haul-out ever conducted in the nation,” Slipway Managing Director Robbie Falangola told Observer.
The vessel plays a crucial role transporting cargo around the region, which means keeping it shipshape is paramount.
Antigua Slipway is said to be the oldest functioning shipyard in the Western Hemisphere with its roots dating all the way back to 1722. It even predates the adjacent Antigua Naval Dockyard as it was used by the British Royal Navy before construction began on what would later be home to Horatio Nelson.
Falangola said the family-owned firm’s marine railway is both the largest haul-out facility in the country and the only one of its kind in the Caribbean.
Antigua Slipway Ltd was established in 1966 and has evolved from a modest operation into a leading force in maritime services by investing heavily in advanced technology and infrastructure.
“The record haul-out of the Belle Lashun II is more than a milestone,” Falangola added. “It is a symbol of Antigua Slipway Ltd’s enduring legacy and its continued importance to the country’s maritime heritage.”
