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- From Compton to Arch Marez

The Evolution and Impact of Rodney Bay 
- From Compton to Arch Marez

An idea that began in the 1960s with the late Sir John Compton and endorsed and invested into by the late Arch Marez in 1986 has propelled Saint Lucia’s standing as having the finest marina in the Southern Caribbean for yachts of all sizes and a formidable mega yachts berth – the Rodney Bar Marina.

The evolution of this jewel which started with the father of the nation Sir. John Compton has positioned Saint Lucia as one of the core mega yacht destinations in the Caribbean.

Arch Marez, a Los Angeles, California native and inventor of the digital heart pacemaker among other things, created this world class facility – the Rodney Bay Marina.

In 1979, Marez who always had a love for the art of sailing, traveled to the Caribbean on his spanking new US$200,000 Swan yacht, from Finland. He arrived in Saint Lucia in 1980 where he settled after establishing a winter home at Cap Estate and acquiring land in Rodney Bay, where he built the marina with his own funds.

Marez opened the Marina in 1986 where his love for the sea was fully embraced and Saint Lucia was established as a destination for cruisers, sailors, and sport-fishermen as well as an ideal hurricane haven. Marez died in 2005.

In January 2009 the facility was rededicated under the management of Island Global Yachting (IGY), which welcomed almost immediately the boats participating in the 2008 Atlantic Rally for Cruisers (ARC). For over 20 years, Rodney Bay Marina has been the completion stop for the punishing, 2,700 nautical mile ARC, in which 200 plus yachtsmen partake each year.

Rodney Bay Marina stands today as an official port of entry with immigration and customs’ offices.

It is a full service facility with 253 berths – each with individual meters for electricity and water.  The facility also features first-class restroom facilities, a swimming pool and recreational area, as well as restaurants, banks, a supermarket, car rental agencies, taxis and boutiques.

The dry dock facility accommodates up to 120 boats with on-site workshops for wood, fiberglass, aluminum, stainless steel and bronze.

Duty free fuel is available for outgoing boats and there is a well-equipped duty free chandlery on site.

The ensemble of great beaches, nearby restaurants and enticing shopping malls are added incentives to stop in beautiful St. Lucia’s IGY Rodney Bay Marina.