Portland Bight (2 of 2)

Rocky Point

Funny enough for a protected zone the Portland Bight Protected Area (PBPA) is full of commercial and industrial areas.  Go Figure.

There are two Bauxite ports, one at Rocky Point and the other at Port Esquivel.  The Jamaica Broilers Group has a Ethanol Dehydration Plant at Port Esquivel as well. There are also several fishing villages within the PBPA. Jamaica Power Company has a ailing power plant in Old Harbour bay as well. I believe it is now complimented with a power barge moored on its western side.

The JPS Plant in Old Harbour Bay

A ship being loaded at Rocky Point (above and below)

The large 300 food diameter dome at Rocky Point

Aside from the above the PBPA is a beautiful place.  It is home to several mangrove forrests that provide shelter for young fish.  As well as several rivers.  The most popular of which is Salt River.

The remains of the jetty and defunct beacon at the entrance to Salt River

A rainbow over the Salt River Area

The Marina by the pumping station at Salt River (Above and Below)

Rocky Point taken from the mouth of Salt River.

As we left Salt River and circled around Rocky point a small squall set in while we were in open water headed to Pigeon Island.  I have come to realise that experiencing some wind and rain at sea is far different from on land (see previous post).

Small squall in Portland Bight

Past the squall

Pigeon Island is a lush green isle in the middle of the mouth of the bight.  A beautification project that started off as a hobby for John Greaves (see article) keeps the island this way.  Its now filled with coconut trees and other vegetation.

Coconut trees in the middle of Pigeon Island

Garbage washed up on one of the beaches on Pigeon Island

Old Harbour bay as seen from Pigeon Island.  On the Horizon just left of the beacon tower is Goat Island.

A makeshift tent on pigeon island (above and below)

Rocky point as seen from Pigeon Island