Cruisers Needing Aid

While a great deal has been circulated about the island communities that have been devastated by Hurricane Beryl and cruiser aid has been forthcoming – the plight of cruisers who actually had their boats in the path of the hurricane has not been given much news.

Steve and Judy from Sailing Fair Isle are currently helping out in Carriacou after hurricane Beryl. They report that things on the ground are not as you might expect. “Aid has reached the island very quickly” says Steve Holloway, “there are many NGO’s here helping the islanders. We came here thinking we might be able to help the islanders too, but actually we have found that there are many many cruisers here in dire need and they have fallen through the cracks and are receiving no outside help whatsoever.”

Steve explains, “Usually of course cruisers are very good at helping out other cruisers and people from places we sail to alike, however, we have a situation where there were approximately 200 cruising boats in the mangroves here in Carriacou, who have all suffered major damage. Dozens of boats have sunk and many cruisers are homeless and in need.”

Sailing Fair Isle have made a film about what is happening in Carriacou to raise awareness.

Steve and Judy’s film gives an excellent overview of what is currently happening in Carriaciou and Grenada, the extent of the damage, particularly to yachts, reports from cruisers during the hurricane on board their boats and interviews with traumatised cruisers, who have lost everything and can’t get any help. Locals and Operation Cruisers Aid are pitching in to get boats re-floated, but it is a slow process. More money and more supplies, like crash pumps and flotation aids, plus people who know what they are doing, are desperately needed.

Cruisers Giving Aid

Cruisers continue to work together to assist with the terrible disaster that has befallen the Windward Islands of the Caribbean post-Hurricane Beryl. While they cannot fix every problem, they are working tirelessley to try and put a finger in the dyke. A WhatsApp group has formed to co-ordinate boats, supplies and aid for the local communities and some of the organisations and people involved include:

Seven Seas Cruising Association (SSCA), Hope Fleet and all their boats assisting with the efforts, Jesse James (Trinidad), Doyle Guides, International Rescue Group (led by Ray Thackeray), Erika’s Yacht Agents (Heather Grant), Habitat for Humanity, Rotary, Sea of Hope Ministries (led by Kimberly), Cargo of Hope, plus a number of key cruisers who assisting with co-ordination and finding supplies.

Below is feedback from the WhatsApp group that includes high priority items needed and feedback on the current situation.

This information can also be found (continually updated) on the SSCA Cruisers Helping Communities Facebook page.

Urgent Supply List

• Engine parts as outlined below in Fishermen Appeal
• Mosquito Nets
• Mosquito Repellent
• Tylenol – Paracetamol (for adults and for children)
• Electrolytes – powder, tablets or drops (powdered Gatorade)
• Buckets
• Shovels
• Saws
• Roofing
• Roofing supplies (nails, screws etc.)

Appeal for support of Union Island fishermen

Long-term liveaboard Sue of SV Flying Fish has been instrumental in helping move relief supplies into the hardest hit areas of the Grenadines. She has shared the following info. re Union Island fishermen wanting to get their livelihoods back.

“I have been working with the locals on Union the last few days. A large effort has been focused on getting the fishing boats out of the rubble and assessing damage so they can get part of the economy going again and feed people fresh food.

“We have spent the last 2 days working with them clearing the fisheries. They have been able to get 4 boats out fishing by taking parts from totaled engines. The mechanics here – Jeffrey Shortt and Quacy – are like magicians! They have many destroyed and lost engines as well, but at least the below supplies would be able to get more fishermen back to work.

Engine parts

“Most engines are Yamaha 40 and 75 hp. They would very much appreciate parts for about 30 engines. But anything would help.

Parts needed include:

• Head coils
• Crank shafts
• Forward gears and pinon gear
• Gear box oil
• Socket sets imperial (not metric)
• Impellers
• Head and bed gaskets
• Spark plugs

“The locals on Union say that most of the babies/infants have been evacuated from the island and gone to St. Vincent, so they don’t need as many diapers/nappies right now. They are surpirsingly very interested in talking about how to get their small businesses back up and running. When I ask how they are doing at home they describe very difficult living conditions (no light, no roof, limited water, relhying on food aid), but, they want to talk about getting their livelihoods back.”

Mosquitos – Dengue Fever

Also on Union, the SSCA report that the locals are desperate for mosquito nets. Everyone is expressing concern over Dengue Fever. The SSCA are working with their network to find netting locally and get it distributed to the locals, however, store closures for Carnival are not helping! Insecticide fogging is also being investigated.

The Salvation Army group has at least seven shelters on SVG without resources from the Government. Captain Andre Stroebel of SV Turquoise Turtle (a 50′ Voyage 500 Catamaran), through Hope Fleet, was able to provide donations to help care for the children, babies and mothers in the SA’s care.

The SA reports that many people have flu and fever in SVG. Dengue Fever (Break Bone Fever) is a real threat and a nasty disease. Tylenol (Paracetamol) is the only treatment.

Heat Exhaustion

In addition, with the extreme heat, another item that is needed are electrolytes to put in the water. Everyone is working in such extreme heat for long hours and with no shade.

Water Catchment

On Petite Martinique (PM) cruisers report that there are approximately 350 people in a shelter there needing basics. Jesse James in Trinidad has a huge amount of donations going to PM this week from the Living Waters Comunity group, plus a generator. However water is a problem, with water purification systems damaged. Tropical waves are dumping a lot of water on the Grenadines, however there are not efficient water catchment systems in place. Cruisers on the ground are trying to encourage water collection as transporting and distributing water is heavy and bulky.

25 July: HopeFleet report that 2 wells and a water truck are now operational on Union Island, thanks to Water Mission. They are also working on 2 RO desalination plants.

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Links

• Operation Cruisers Aid – Facebook page
• https://www.operationcruisersaid.org
• SSCA Cruisers Helping Communities
• Hurricane Beryl: Carnage in the Carriacou mangroves (Sailing Fair Isle)

Other News

• Hurricane Beryl – A Silver Lining from Trinidad & Tobago (Chris Doyle July 23rd, 2024)
• Hurricane Beryl’s Destructive Path – How You Can Help (Noonsite – July 10th, 2024)

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