After Hurricane Beryl made a direct hit on Carriacou and Petite Martinique – islands of the nation of Grenada – on July 1, Tradition Sailing and volunteers quickly mobilised efforts and made an appeal to the island of Anguilla and friends abroad for help. In a recent press release, Tradition Sailing thanked volunteers and donors for giving generously – almost EC $75,000 (US $30,000) – to help the island of Carriacou.
Tradition Sailing said the effort yielded gently-used and new items, non-perishables and other vital supplies as the island of Carriacou faces over 95% homelessness in Beryl’s aftermath. Almost EC $75,000 (US $30,000) was raised to purchase generators, fuel cans, storage containers, tools, solar lights, tarpaulins, tents, and wheelbarrows.
Along with assistance of citizens, some of Anguilla’s hotels and merchants donated necessities such as linens, food, petrol, water, kitchen items and sanitary products, as well as books, games and toys for children and for a temporary day-care that was set up.
Five boats arrived in Carriacou throughout the month of July originating from Road Bay, Anguilla and Galisbay, Saint Martin. They delivered the collected and purchased goods directly to a trusted contact of Tradition Sailing on the ground in Carriacou for dispersal to the villages and onward to Petite Martinique. The sixth and final boat carrying relief supplies made its way over in the last week of August.
Serving as the central collection point and staging area to store, sort, and pack items was Roy’s Bayside Grill in Sandy Ground. Members of the Anguilla Sailing Association helped move heavy bags, boxes, and suitcases full of relief supplies. Safe Cargo provided equipment and labour to assist in manoeuvring pallets onto boats for shipment. A local supporter reached out to a friend in Saint Martin, who is a coordinator with Secours Populaire Français (SPF), a non-profit organisation based in Paris, France. They began to work in partnership with Anguilla’s aid efforts and an SPF team is on the ground on the damaged islands helping in a variety of capacities.
The island of Carriacou, which is still without electrical power, is housing a majority of residents in shelters, and will continue to need assistance as they face rebuilding their homes and businesses.
“Gratitude is felt for the outpouring of humanitarian aid offered by the people and establishments in Anguilla, including the Government of Anguilla, friends of Tradition Sailing, contributors on the island of Saint Martin, and the greater Caribbean sailing community. Thanks go to all involved for making a positive impact on those in need,” Tradition Sailing conveyed.
Tradition Sailing is owned and operated by Captain Lawrence Gumbs and Deborah Vos of Anguilla. The sailing vessel Tradition is a traditional Carriacou sloop built by hand on the island of Carriacou in 1978.
