FIRST TREES PLANTED ON OCEAN CAY MSC MARINE RESERVE AS TRANSFORMATION OF ONE-OF-A-KIND ISLAND ENTERS ITS FINAL PHASE

With just one year to go until Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve will receive its first guests, MSC Cruises marked an important milestone in the island’s transformation with the planting of the first trees. With the Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve project, MSC Cruises is transforming a former industrial sand extraction site into a flourishing marine reserve and private island destination exclusively for MSC Cruises guests, that will exist in harmony with the local ecosystem. With uninterrupted 360° horizon views of crystal blue waters and some of the most spectacular white sandy beaches in the world, this island paradise will be an unforgettable highlight in MSC Cruises’ Caribbean itineraries.

After visiting the island to personally plant one of the inaugural trees, reflecting the island having entered into the final phase of its transformation, MSC Cruises’ Executive Chairman Pierfrancesco Vago commented: “It was a very special moment to be on the island together with the team that has been working non-stop on this incredible project to see how our vision is starting to take shape. Words cannot convey the unbelievable natural beauty of our island and it is only when you have stood there for yourself, surrounded by nothing but beautiful ocean with nothing else on the horizon, that you can really understand what we are accomplishing here. I can’t wait to welcome in one year’s time our first guests to this truly magical place, a one-of-a-kind island and experience that will set new standards for a private island experience in the Caribbean.”

With the landscaping work underway, over 75,000 native shrubs and plants will be planted with more than 60 types of indigenous Caribbean trees, grasses, flowers and shrubs to create a lush, tropical environment. Work will commence soon on over 100 environmentally-friendly structures, which will include bars, restaurants and housing for employees and staff who will live on the island. Work will also shortly be underway on the lighthouse – set to become an iconic landmark of the island and a focal point of the evening’s entertainment for guests.

One of the island’s most distinguishing features will be a pier that allows the ship to dock alongside the island so that guests to simply walk on and off at their leisure throughout the day and evening. MSC Cruises has designed each aspect of the island to create an authentic, immersive Bahamian experience that will allow them to immerse themselves in this beautiful environment.

Among all of this, the stunning ocean access will undoubtedly stand out as the highlight of the island experience. MSC Cruises is in the process of recreating the seabed surrounding the island, which will soon be repopulated with a great variety of vibrant marine life. A year from now, guests will have the opportunity to discover the ocean in all of its natural glory through swimming in the warm shallow waters, snorkelling or diving or taking a boat trip out to one of the neighbouring deserted cays.

Mr Vago continued, “We are already seeing the return of the marine life that is usually so prevalent in this area. We are seeing an abundance of lobster, conch, stingrays and other fish and by the time we finish the work the waters around the island will be again teeming with life and new coral. As a company with such a rich maritime heritage, preserving the oceans is of the highest importance to us and this is a wonderful opportunity to protect a little piece of paradise and allow our guests to experience it.”

During the island’s clean-up, over 500 tons of historic industrial waste and scrap metal have been removed, with the final underwater debris clean-up about to begin. To create a solid foundation, over 500,000 tonnes of sand and soil have been moved and work has been carried out to shape the island itself. A shallow water lagoon will be created in the centre of the island to provide a fun area for families to relax and while away the day. The island will feature eight world class beaches each with a different character, ambience. The beaches are formed from aragonite sand, which is distinctive not only by its stunning white colour but also it plays a key role in the growth of the coral reefs by maintaining the pH levels of the water.

With the ambition of creating a protected paradise and restoring the natural coral around the island, MSC Cruises is working in close collaboration with environmental auditors, Bahamian environmental experts and other entities to ensure that best practices are followed. Plans are underway for a marine laboratory to be situated on Ocean Cay, which will research climate change-resistant coral in hopes of providing insights to similar island habitats.

The Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve project has been developed to create a positive long-term impact both on the environment and in the communities of the Bahamas. MSC Cruises has been sourcing materials locally wherever possible, and by project-end, around 800 Bahamians will have been directly and indirectly involved in the construction of the island. Up to 140 Bahamians will be recruited for permanent operational jobs on the island covering a range of different roles including management, technical staff, island attendants, lifeguards and rescue divers. Local vendors will also provide resources for the many shore excursions offered to guests. Solidifying MSC Cruises’ commitment to the Bahamas, the island marks its permanent presence in the region. In restoring Ocean Cay to its former beauty to match the unparalleled beauty of this region, MSC Cruises hopes to further enhance the already positive image of the Bahamas as a must-visit tourist destination throughout the world.

Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve will open November 2019 with four MSC Cruises ships calling at the island on different days. More information about the guest experience will be revealed in the coming months.

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For details on cruises visiting Ocean Cay, visit the MSC Cruises website.