Boat owners navigate challenges as Nov. 15 nears

Boat owners and workmen are working feverishly to repair their vessels to sail when the fishing season begins next month.

However, due to a shortage of workmen, financial challenges and the extent of the damage, it’s unlikely that some of them will be ready.

Long-time boat owner Steven Bourne who lost two boats and had another extensively damaged, was one of the fisherfolk at Kensington Mall parking lot, Harbour Road, St Michael who gave an update on the progress made since the passage of Hurricane Beryl in July.

“It’s been very slow. I’m trying to get the boat that was extensively damaged rebuilt and refitted and right now I am in close proximity to finishing,” Bourne told the Saturday Sun yesterday.

Although he was close, Bourne said there was no guarantee that the vessel would be ready by November 15.

“Right now there are very few boats in the sea. I don’t think we have 30 boats out there now. November 15 is normally the start of the fishing season and when that time comes I doubt there will be 40 boats in the sea,” Bourne said.

He estimated their boat Uncle Doc cost them $45 000 to repair.

The two lost boats which they still have not yet recovered from the Bridgetown Fisheries Complex were a $300 000 loss. Fortunately, Bourne said they have received some assistance.

“We already received financial assistance for upkeep to help us repair the boat; it was 25 per cent to help with the repairs. And whatever assistance that we can get, we will be satisfied with because losing two ice boats in this day is not easy,” he added.

Joseph Greenidge, who works with vessel Fatboy’s Legacy said fortunately they also received some assistance. However, similar to Bourne, he was uncertain if they would be ready by November 15.

One day at a time

“The assistance was welcomed because it was difficult for the fisherfolk who were out of the water but still had bills to pay. So far we are on target and we are hoping to be ready, but the way how things are going we have to take it one day at a time,” Greenidge said.

Although they have made significant progress, it took some time to get to that point because of the backlog.

“There was only a small amount of workmen who are eligible so we had to wait our turn and source materials. We contacted him in the early stages but we had to wait about three to four weeks before he could start,” Greenidge said.

During Hurricane Beryl more than 200 boats were impacted. They were either destroyed or damaged.

Minister of the Environment, National Beautification and the Blue and Green Economy Adrian Forde revealed in Parliament on Tuesday

that 469 fisherfolk received payments from the Government’s special Business Interruption Benefit Scheme.

The minister said boat owners and captains started collecting the $2 500 and $1 500 per month, respectively, which would last for three months.

Another boat owner who identified himself only as Cameron has not received his yet, but said he was still pressing on.

“Unfortunately, we haven’t received any money yet from the Government and it’s been very difficult. I had to go in my emergency money which was to be used in case anything happened to my family but that is what I have to use now,” he said.

He estimated that the damage to two of his boats would cost $170 000 to repair.

He said the situation taught him the importance of being up-to-date with his insurance.

Like his colleague, Cameron said the delayed start of the repairs would lead to a setback at the start of the season.

“It was a very slow start because the workmen were not available because they had a lot of work going on, but I will be ready by sometime in December,” he said.

Peter Miller was one of the workmen in the makeshift boatyard at Harbour Road.

He acknowledged that although his services were in high demand, he had to be extremely careful while working with fibreglass which many of the iceboats are comprised of.

“So far I’ve finished around eight boats, but it’s been very challenging. I had to hire two extra fellows to help me with the workload,” Miller said.

He added: “It’s not to find fibreglass but it’s hard to work with especially if you are not accustomed to it. It itches really bad if you are sanding the boats.

“If it’s mixed with other substances, it forms a crystal and I’ve been told fibre particles get into your system, they don’t come out,” he added. (TG)

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