Found at: http://www.anguillaguide.com/article/articleprint/4558/-1/140/
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Johnno To "Operate Cruise Sloop"
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Soon patrons at Johnno’s Beach Bar and Restaurant at Road Bay, Sandy Ground and at his offshore facilities will be treated to a new and exciting service which he is perfecting.
“I want to tell you about the boat I will be putting into service in Anguilla. I have an establishment on Prickly Pear and I am hoping that this boat will add much to the service
I am presently providing for Anguilla and visitors,” he told The Anguillian.
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Johnno and Ronnie Jules
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John Edwards, popularly known as ‘Johnno,’ who successfully runs his much patronised Beach Bar and Restaurant, said he had been working on the “Banana Boat Project” over the past year. He purchased the traditional wooden hull vessel in Grenada and took it to the dock in Antigua, where he did some upgrading including replace many planks in the bottom.
The boat, named New Desiree, has two bathrooms and shower, a bar and sitting area on the main deck.
Johnno explained that it might take up to one month before the boat could begin its service as it had to be fitted with fire extinguishers and other safety equipment. “I think it is going to be a real new thing for Anguilla,” Johnno went on. “Many years ago we had plenty of these types of boats, but today we have none of them, except for this one, which will light up the harbour like the olden days.” He said the yellow-painted boat was a sloop as it has one mast.
“The name of the company is going to be “Banana Boat Picnic Cruise,” the enterprising Johnno continued. “Thus is because originally the boat used to take bananas to various islands. I am looking forward very anxiously to getting New Desiree in operation to add to add something good to the tourist industry here in Anguilla.”
Apart from ferrying guests between Road Bay and his hospitality business on Prickly Pear, Johnno says he will be operating sunset cruises and private charters around the island.
The captain of New Desiree is Grenadian Ronnie Jukes, who is now sorting out his immigration status in Anguilla in advance of taking up employment with the “Banana Boat Picnic Cruise.”