NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Disney Cruise Line (DCL) has chosen a Bahamian company, Enco International (Bahamas) Ltd. (ENCO), to perform geotechnical investigations at Lighthouse Point – an important component of on-site environmental due diligence.

The cruise line announced the pick was made following a competitive bid process in a press release yesterday.

The work will help determine the most appropriate building techniques to use pending the acceptance of the Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan, that also align with Disney’s commitment to the environment.

DCL said the geotechnical work will begin within the next two weeks and has already been reviewed by The Bahamas Environment, Science & Technology (BEST) Commission, which offered no objections.

“We are committed to maximizing Bahamian participation in this project, and our selection of ENCO for this significant work through a competitive bid process is the result of our ongoing efforts to build relationships with Bahamian companies. To date, we have met with more than 70 companies that have expressed interest in assisting with our construction needs and we will continue to build relationships with them,” said Jeff Vahle, DCL president.

“We look forward to working with ENCO to move this important work forward in a way that is consistent with our longstanding commitment to the environment.”

DCL has worked closely with the BEST Commission to outline the means and methods that will be used for the geotechnical investigations and has also created an Environmental Protection Plan for the work. I

n accordance with the plan, the geotechnical investigations will involve taking small core samples of sand and rock in places where structures will be built on land and over the water.

Carlos Palacious, managing principal of ENCO, said: “Our team has worked on many complex projects over the years with a number of global companies, and we are particularly excited to be working with Disney, a brand we’ve grown up to know and love, that also loves the environment.

“They are extremely focused on the details and, above all, dedicated to approaching the Lighthouse Point project with the best intentions and the utmost respect for preserving the environment and celebrating the natural beauty of the site.”

While this type of work requires a small number of mostly specialized workers, ENCO plans to hire approximately half of its work crew from Eleuthera.

Economic activity also will be generated in Eleuthera in the form of accommodations and other needs for crew members coming from other Bahamian islands during the approximately four-month duration of the work, according to DCL.

The cruise line completed its purchase of privately owned Lighthouse Point earlier this year and signed an agreement with the Government of The Bahamas that guides the responsible development of the site.

Construction at Lighthouse Point will begin only after an Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Plan are reviewed and accepted by the Government of The Bahamas and public consultation has occurred, DCL said.

The statement continued: “Disney has committed to develop less than 20 percent of the property; employ sustainable building practices, including an open-trestle pier that eliminates the need to dredge a ship channel; establish environmental monitoring programs during construction and operation; donate more than 190 acres of privately owned land to the people of The Bahamas; and provide conservation education to employees, guests and vendors to ensure they know their role in protecting the site, among other commitments.

“Through the Disney Conservation Fund, Disney has provided more than $13 million to marine conservation programs around the globe, including several in The Bahamas.”

DCL added: “Since 2007, Disney has been directly involved in leading a multiyear initiative to protect and rehabilitate coral reefs in The Bahamas and will continue to work with leading conservation organizations and communities to protect special places there.”