Robert Bailey, Gleaner Writer

Five-year-old Brianna Cotterell is taken by her dad, Randolph, to touch the 253-pound marlin that was caught during the marlin tournament at the Old Marina in Port Antonio on Friday. The catch was disqualified for failing to meet the required weight of 350lb. - Peta-Gaye Clachar/Staff Photographer

MARIO MACHARDO, skipper of Mac's d Out, claimed the 45th Port Antonio International Marlin Tournament trophy at the Marina in Portland on Friday evening.

Machardo tagged and released three marlin and was award the Appleton Rum Trophy.

Intrepid captured the Vikings Yacht Trophy for finishing second, while tagging and releasing two marlin. Eighteen marlin were tagged and released over the five-day championships which attracted 28 boats including three overseas entries.

Delighted

Machardo was delighted with his crew's efforts.

"I think we had an excellent performance and that's the reason why we won this tournament because the whole team on board clicked really nice and we got the fish in," said Machardo.

"This tournament wasn't difficult because the weather was fantastic this week, it was really nice and calm out there. The fishing was a bit slow in terms of the amount of bites but we did well nonetheless," he said.

Gifton Allen, in his canoe Silverado, won that competition on Wednes-day when he tagged a small 15lb marlin. Power, captained by Desmond Gordon, finished second with a 19lb tuna and Fabian Moter was third, in Tommy Hark, after he caught a 20lb wahoo.

Dushane Lin-Tom, on Play-Doh, caught the heaviest fish of the tournament - a 37lb dolphin fish.