Wind is back in the sails
WE ARE DOING FOUR TO FIVE TRIPS EVERY DAY, WHICH IS INCREDIBLE. WE HAVE 29 STAFF ON NOW, (INCLUDING) 12 MARINE BIOLOGISTS. THAT’S A BIG DEAL. OWNER STEVE EDMONDSON
A PORT Douglas reef charter has employed a dozen fulltime marine biologists “serving you cold Coronas” and “cutting your lime” as it makes a dramatic resurgence from two years of affected trade.
While the coronavirus pandemic has been the death knock for many tourism operators and businesses across the Far North, Sailaway Port Douglas has used the time to expand.
In an impressive nod to resilience and perseverance, the business has opened a new office space on the marina boardwalk this week, looking out to its expanded fleet of catamarans that now numbers four, and has a full book of employees at just under 30.
The company has put on 12 marine biologists who accompany visitors on more than four trips a day in Port Douglas and further north at Cape Tribulation.
“That’s 12 staff with three years of a degree serving you cold Coronas or cutting your lime, but they know their stuff and they are connected,” said owner Steve Edmondson.
The new “Sailaway Boathouse” opened this week and will become the new central hub of operations for the longstanding and popular reef charter.
It is located next to Hemingway’s
Brewery at the Crystalbrook Superyacht Marina.
“It’s right on the boardwalk. You are looking out at four Sailaway boats and it’s a hospitality venue that really increases liveliness, of coming back in the evenings,” Mr Edmondson said.
“It’s a brilliant fit-out of a 34-year-old classic tropical Queenslander building.
“It’s a central hub with life and soul in an active marina.”
In an impressive sign of “tourism’s resilience”, Mr Edmondson said they were now taking more forward bookings “than before Covid”.
“We are doing four to five trips every day, which is incredible,” he said.
“We have 29 staff on now, (including) 12 marine biologists. That’s a big deal.
“They are passionate about the Reef, and passionate about the environment.”