Mr.turey responding to your comments of bad mind.everyone is entitled to their own opinion,mine is that i think people are being bad mind with this whole plane issue. Lets be real about this there is nothing wrong with landing a plane in the pond. It's just a large body of water that really has no significant use to anyone,and when i say that i don't mean birds or crocs because landing a small plane once or twice a day will not affect wild life. So landing a plane in it to take tourists to our little paradise is a fantastic idea. I only wonder why anybody didn't think of this before. Luv the idea, enough with the argueing let's get going.

surprises me to read "mr.A' opinion ... and how short-sighted his take on a plane landing (in a shrinking pond) a few times a day is.
Apart from the irritating noise - when most people seems to come to treasure beach, and live in TB, for the peace and quiet - if there was to be a gas or oil leak in the pond, chances are the pond would be polluted for decades to come.
It is NOT a large body of water at all.
It will not only affect wild life, but human life also.

(Mr.A)I surprise you open a new thread on this matter which is highly debate on two other threads anyway i must disagree with you , the whole idea of sea plane landing is wrong for the area ,it will certainly affect the whole eco-system , since the development and pesticide being used in farming alot species which were abundance in Treasure Beach is\nt there any more ,example, canery (yellow squit) parakeet(green squit)dragon flies(needle case) and many more ,has almost disappaer.I can tell you if this thing go forward it will be start of more to come next you see speed boats racing on great pond , remember this thing was interduce to us like nicademus by night.

@mr.A
"...landing a small plane once or twice a day will not affect wild life. ..."

you gotta be joking...sorry to say that, but this thinking is unbelievably naive...

Hmmm, now what did I blame poor 'bad mind' for Mr A? I remember encouraging ALL to have their say, regardless of perspective.

There is reasoning and there is argument.

Did I hear a motion for reasoning? I second it!

Mr. A, I absolutely disagree with you too.

Mr. A your idea I don't agree with, PERIOD. And Yellow Squit, thanks for reminding us of the lost birds of our childhood. I had no idea this was going on since I no longer live in the area.

It doesn't seem like a plane that is about 35 feet x 25 feet on a pond that is about 4,000 feet x 1,500 feet landing twice a day would be a major environmental impact. Fuel spillage could be a problem but that could be a problem with motor boats also are they prohibited on the pond?
Noise could be a problem for about 60 seconds a day ?

One thing that has definitely hurt the environment is the overflow flood canal that they sort of built from the pond to the sea, that thing looks terrible !

Ignorance on the subject of environmental impact is understood. People do not understand what they have not been taught. It is not their fault, and tolerance should be shown to them. Some people do not think the extiction of a certain species to be of much importance. I found this to be true on my recent "turtle campaign" on my last trip. But I got alot of satisfaction from a few. A few who listened intently. They listened. They learned. They also promised to pass along their knowledge. Most people just shrugged their shoulders. Anyway, mm, wildlife is part on the environment. Imagine if you will, that the pond is your home, your sanctuary. You raise your family on it. Then, all of a sudden one day you look up in the sky...

Some people think of environmental impact on how it only affect humans directly. This is where the problem begins, not ends. In the long run, if it affects a certian species, it affects you. This is a fact.

Yes MM, you are right.
The canal is an abomination not only to look at but it is way too large. but thats in part because enough people did not concern themselves with the issue and monitor the plans for it. They raise voices at one meeting and then do not turn up to do the follow through .. then complain its too big, too small - whatever the case may be. We must follow through or not say anything after the fact.
I still think it should be downsized .. but will it be?
The few voices out there voicing concern are sometimes too tired to keep saying the same thing over and over.

It's funny that on one hand something looking terrible (the canal),is described as an environmental problem. On the other hand, we have a noisy, polluting machine that will force living things such as migratory birds from their natural habitat, but that is environmentally ok. Sometimes we truly deserve what we get.

The size of the canal is wrong; it is far too large. For all we know, the actual engineering is also wrong. The intention was correct, but whoever planned and approved it would probably not win any awards for environmental protection or beautification. There is no doubt the canal must be rectified. What continues to puzzle me is how the residents of Treasure Beach merely allowed the builders to come into their precious community and create such a monster. People in China had the gumption to stand in front of tanks; people in Treasure Beach, a place that has far more political freedom than China, can certainly stand in front of a bulldozer.

The seaplane is probably not envirnmentally correct either. What is correct is the citizens are finally taking a stand to protect what they have. If people allow the seaplane to land without full environmental clearance from JET, full approval of the Jamaican aviation authorities and full approval of the landowners, they will have another thing that is as bad as the canal. Different but just as bad.

There is a point when you have to say, "I'm mad as heck and I'm not going to take it anymore."

If the people, and especially the landowners, object to the plane, then why does JET and aviation authorities need to be involved. Should that not be the end of the story. Who owns the pond? Doesn't one need right of way before anything else.. or is it Might of way? Does anyone know the procedure on these types of business ventures?

I believe there can be no seaplane landing on the Great Pond without the written permission of the landowners. There are about 10 different owners. In theory, that should be the end of the story.

Many members of the community have voiced additional concerns. These include the environment, noise, and the possibility of drugs and guns being flown in the planes.

I am not clear why Jason chose to involve JET, but it seems to be an excellent byproduct of this matter. While several people in the community were aware that we had environmental problems before this, no one seemed to pick up the ball and run with it. Now the community as a whole appears to be much more aware we need to band together and actively do things to help preserve Treasure Beach because there is a distinct danger of us becoming another Negril.

I might be guessing here. A section of the Pond might be no mans land as no one pays land tax for a body of water. But after landing on no mans land (water) the plane will have to come ashore on somebody's property and this is where trespassing
enters the story.

Bowl,One simple Question.Are you any of the landowers by the Pond.Just Curious

To land the seaplane, one must start at one end of the pond and continue until the airliner is stopped. To take off in the seaplane, one must start at one end and use the full throttle until the airliner is airbourne. If a pilot does otherwise, that would be exceedingly risky and dangerous. Because the wind direction has something to do with the direction in which one takes off and lands, the airliner will not always take off and land using the identical route. Therefore, it will tresspass from virtually every edge to the opposite edge.

This is not a helicopter; those have the ability to fly vertically, meaning straight up and down.

I guess they won't be flying people in for Calabash.

..and if the plane, then in full throttle, is not airborn when it reaches the end of the pond?

Sounds like a great movie.

The insurers are? Or, does the owner accept all liabilities?

No 'goat mout' intended.

A commercial airline would require insurance, though limits vary from country to country. If the plane is not airborne when it reaches the end of the pond, the takeoff is aborted or an accident ensues. There have been seaplane accidents involving fatalities in the past.

There are actually websites for seaplane operators which provide arguments for them to use against persons or groups who might object to their operation; these are sponsored by seaplane associations.

Seaplane accidents in Jamaica? If not, where?

Saw something on the news about bird strikes. How common are these?

Bird strikes have increased by a factor of roughly eight over the last decade. Aviation experts suggest that only 20% of them are reported. A plane can be brought down by a bird as small as a seagull. Many airports use special devices to attempt to scare birds away from their vicinity.

10 people were killed in two sightseeing accidents on seaplanes in Alaska in 2007.

On December 19, 2005 Chalk's Ocean Airways Flight 101 from Watson Island to Bimini crashed off Miami Beach, Florida. Witnesses saw white smoke billowing from the plane, before an explosion ripped off the right wing and the plane plunged into the ocean. 20 people, 18 passengers and two crew members, were on board. Three of the passengers were children under the age of 2. Most of the passengers were from Bimini.

The plane crashed in Government Cut channel connecting the Port of Miami to the Atlantic Ocean. Government Cut was closed to shipping until 6:30 pm on December 20 stranding at least 3 cruise ships.

The plane was a Grumman G-73T Turbine Mallard manufactured in 1947. It was the first fatal passenger incident for Chalk's Ocean Airways.

One of the 20 people killed was Sergio Danguillecourt, a member of the board of directors of Bacardi Ltd. and a great-great grandson of the company's founder Don Facundo Bacardi Masso. His wife, Jacqueline Kriz Danguillecourt, was also killed.

So what IS happening with the seaplane business idea? Keeping everyone in suspense. Wondering if this is another Sports Park kind of thing where we get the announcement when it's a done deal no matter what people think. Until that no news from Jason or the seaplane company. I used to hear "no news is good news" but this may be incorrect with the seaplane.

I would like to know as well.

Is the seaplane continuing to land in the sea near Jake's?

The seaplane passing overheard (and LOW) is most annoying.
Can we not stop this? if anything, they should fly out to sea so us residents will not be disturbed.

I wonder if they are practicing for sightseeing tours. Someone told me the seaplane has landed near the Pelican Bar a few times.

Anyone with a camcorder?

Evidence my dear Watsons!

I think it is quite legal to land the seaplane in the sea. If they have paying passengers, that would be another story because they do not have the proper permits.

My guess is the pilot is attempting to determine if the sea is calm enough to conduct their operation from there instead of the Great Pond. Someone hasn't bothered to tell him how much calmer the sea is up on the North Coast. I've watched it go from calm to dangerously choppy in a matter of minutes on the South Coast.

Wonder if Negril would be a better place to land.

If they do try Negril, they would be advised to radio/phone ahead to the Superintendant of Police at the Negril Police station to advise him of their intended time and location of arrival.

I read of another seaplane that landed unannounced on the sea out of Negril a few years ago and was dealt with by the said station as a smuggler, fortunately the shots did not cause loss.

Had the shots connected, there would have been serious repercussions PR and otherwise as three famous people were onboard.

Read about it here: http://www.buffettworld.com/incidents/jamaicamistaica/

That Buffett story is pretty funny. Noticed Bono was on it; he's been a guest at Jake's. Also Chris Blackwell, associated with Island Outpost and Island Records. Birds of a feather ...

Guess who is is rumored to have been on that plane.

Is it not Chris Blackwell that owns Jakes?

From their official material:

Created by Chris Blackwell, founder of Island Records and Palm Pictures, Island Outpost properties are known for their interesting character and stunning surroundings and strive to offer their clients a feeling reminiscent of staying at a friend's home. The group includes Goldeneye, Strawberry Hill, Jake's, and The Caves in Jamaica, Pink Sands in The Bahamas and an exclusive selection of villas.

TB was always an Island Outpost.

Local and other history remembers the Taino people retreating to their original entry point, the South Coast, Parottee, Alligator Pond and what was to be named TB later. Dry, prickly, large and small lizards, a hell to the uninitiated. Today the copper skin is still visible in many of us, some have 'Arawak eyes'. That infinite patience and love of perfection is common here.

Separated from many goings on, it was always a challenge, growing cassava and fishing, hurikan, the novelty of the occasional African slave, Maroon, Jew, Irish slave and others that took shelter and had children and caught fish.

Chris Blackwell has had the insight to purchase and work with certain areas of ecological and aesthetic importance by creating upscale all inclusive? Jamaican retreats.

Jakes is one of them. There are many other properties that could become a 'Jakes', each with their own unique flavour.

It would certainly be to our mutual advantage that Mr Blackwell comes among us and tells us what he envisions for TB, and beyond.

Where else in the world, I was going to say the west, can Bono or Buffet walk and people say, Yes I! or howdido Missa Bono, whahappen Jimmy and go about their business?

There are no security guards, there is neighbourhood watch in effect 24/7. Escape is either by sea, mountain or the roads. Whole heap of yard dog and farmer 'las too. Everyone knows where I've gone wandering and expects me back by a certain time.

I've always wandered if the ponds connected into a river that emptied into Backseaside? that would have made TB a real 'Island' Outpost.

No need to bring internal cumbustion noisemakers into the sea and ponds. We provide slow, sweet, adventurous rides to your haven.

Chris Blackwell does not own Jakes. Jakes is marketed under the umbrella of Island Outpost which Mr. Blackwell does own. He has a long and close friendship with the Henzell family and I'm sure there is some financial reciprocity but he doesn't own it.

Thanks for clarifying True.

Mr Blackwell has demonstrated his awareness of preservation and community relations by his sensitive development of properties. I assume he has interest in the TB area through his friendship with the Henzells, his Company's relationship to Jakes and Jason being President of Island Outpost.

Thus; I suggested his opinions on some of the issues we have been discussing here would be of great value.

Turey - You are so poetic! Love reading your postings!
Lisa

Thanks Lisa.

Do the Henzells own Jakes?

I would also like to hear from Chris Blackwell. He sounds like a very good person.

I think the Henzells own the majority of Jakes; I think Island Outposts owns a small percentage of them. Please note I am not positive about this.

Is there any news about the seaplane. I have been away for awhile and am not certain where to find any updates. Thank you.

Is the plane still landing alot on the sea near Jakes?

I've been told (not sure if accurate info) the pilot is off-island for about a month.

Thank you Rebecca. If we're fortunate, he is finding a different island for this seaplane business.

for those who wish to know what was discussed, you can read jason henzells speech at the start of this link.
jasons speech started the meeting to discuss the seaplane venture, which was followed by some of the pond owners etc speaking up that they were opposed to the plane landing there.

I was referring to the April 9 meeting, not the one where Jason Henzell presented the seaplane idea. I'm sorry if my question was confusing.