Before gangs ran the streets, and executive thugs controlled the corridors of power, pirates ruled the high seas. From Captain cook to Captain Morgan, those old pirates were the original bad boys, terrorizing the high seas from Europe all the way to the Caribbean. And though they have been gone for almost 2 centuries now, pirates are still a subject of intrigue. Perhaps most intriguing are their ships, those schooners which most of us have only seen in picture books. We say "up to now" because a pirate ship is docked in Belize and 7NEWS took a tour today.
Keith Swift Reporting,
It is 110 feet long and 24 feet wide weighing in at 120 tons - it is a big ship - a big real life pirate ship…or as real as it gets. Its called "The Jolly Roger 1" built in 1966 in Petit Martininque to 17th century specifications with rare purple heart lumber, no steel required. The ship which spans three decks is outfitted with a dance area and loud speakers on the upper level, buffet tables on the second level and what would a pirate ship be without a bar and not just any bar but a bar fit for a pirate. There are canons and a plank which I walked and survived. And on the lower level it is a souvenir shop and the bathrooms for pirates and wenches, wenches meaning ladies. Yes this is living it up on a pirate ship which is the idea behind the Jolly Roger.
Alvaro Alamina,
"This boat is similar to the ones that the pirates were using in the 17th century and I have been doing some research and this size boat here actually would have housed or accompanied 125 to 140 pirates housed living in there for months at a time on a day to day basis. So in the old days you had a 125 to 130 pirates living in a boat this size in wretched conditions staying sometimes a month or more at sea eating hard tacky stale weevil infested biscuits. We won't replicate that. What we going to do is create a fun atmosphere for our guests and clients that will be pirated themed, like I said, with a lot of music dancing, and entertainment to keep you occupied throughout the entire cruise. That is what our goal is right now."
KS: Now we know pirates are notorious for their drinking habits.
Alvaro Alamina,
"Well if our captives, which is what we call our clients, don't behave 'bad' and don't eat enough or drink enough we'll have to deal with them."
The pirates are coming and tonight they will be here which is like a dream come true for majority shareholder in the project Alvaro Alamina. His first ride on the Jolly Roger was 20 years ago in Barbados. Alamina liked the pirate ship so much that in august he bought it and brought it to Belize. He says the story of the bad boys of the sea like Captain Morgan or Christopher Moody needs to be told. He likens a ride on the Jolly Roger to a journey through 300 years of history.
Alvaro Alamina,
"As a kid you read books about Treasure Island and about Black Beard the pirate and particularly in studying West Indian history in Belize you cannot help but touch that period. And it was a romantic and very exciting time and it is a theme to me that has been picking up. If you notice two years ago we had movies like 'Pirates of the Caribbean' and at the moment Disney in Orlando is creating a huge park that will be pirate themed called 'Pirates of the Caribbean.' And kids love it, I think older people love it and its just exciting I think. Its very folkloric you know."
Folkloric and educational which is why Alamina says the ship will target both tourists and locals. Dancing on the upper level and buffets on the grill are just some of the entertainment options
Alvaro Alamina,
"The cruises that we do will be pirate themed so that we have all the crew dressed up like pirates and we have employed some real grassroots actors and actresses and with the help of some people from NICH. We are training them to do dramatic productions onboard and I think add some excitement not only for the kids but for the adults while they are onboard. We plan to do sound effects while the dramatic productions are going on like canons opening and musket fire coming through the speakers that will enhance the entire enhancement."
Excitement, adventure, mystery, and a bit of learning - all of which the Jolly Roger has in store for those who dare.
The Jolly Roger set out on its maiden voyage this evening at 6. Starting as early as this weekend the Jolly Roger will be doing fun rides for Belizeans to the area near St. George's Caye and back for $65 which includes all you can drink and snacks. Starting early they next year the ship will start catering to tourists. Alamina says he is employing 21 Belizeans and another 14 indirectly. The investment in the project was about $1 million. The Jolly Roger fun ship franchise operates in three other Caribbean countries. For more log on to their website at Jolly Roger.com.