After spending more than a quarter of a century in storage at a British Army base, six sailing vessels have completed their long journey to new homes across the Grenadine islands of Canouan, Mayreau and Union Island, where they will open up new recreational and development opportunities for local sailing communities.
This cross-continental community project would not have been possible without the generous backing and long-term commitment of David Barnard and Kestrel Liner Agencies UK, with critical on-the-ground support from Marlon Gibson of Kestrel SVG. Geoff Patton, the Resident British Commissioner to St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), also played a key coordinating role, liaising extensively with the British Army to cut through logistical barriers and clear the way for the vessels to be imported and prepared for their new purpose.
Speaking on the project, Patton emphasized his enthusiasm for the initiative’s long-term goals: “I am delighted to support the SVG Sailing Association in developing young sailors who will hopefully go on to represent SVG in international competitions. Great to see the enthusiasm from the young sailors.”
Before the boats could set off for their final destinations across the Grenadines, volunteer members of Vincy Sailors dedicated two full days to comprehensive repairs, routine maintenance, and rigorous sea trials. This work was critical to returning the vessels to safe, seaworthy condition after decades spent idle in storage.
On a Tuesday morning last week, the team of Vincy Sailors launched their 34-mile voyage from the main island of St. Vincent to Canouan, starting at 7 a.m. and guiding the restored fleet through Caribbean waters to their new home ports. The crossing took eight hours to complete, with additional members of the Vincy Sailing Club joining the convoy to provide extra support and foster a spirit of shared community celebration. Throughout the entire expedition, a dedicated safety team from Blue Lagoon Boat Charters accompanied the fleet, while the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Coast Guard conducted regular check-ins to monitor progress and ensure the safety of all participants.
For the SVG Sailing Association, the successful arrival of the six boats marks the end of a months-long collaborative effort that brought together private donors, international shipping partners, diplomatic officials, volunteer groups, and local sailing enthusiasts. The project aligns directly with the association’s strategic goal of expanding equitable access to sailing across all the Grenadine islands, creating new developmental pathways for young people and residents in Canouan, Mayreau and Union Island.
Jenny Trumble, president of the SVG Sailing Association, highlighted the project’s broader lesson about collective action: “This journey demonstrates what can be achieved when people come together with a shared vision. These boats have gone from sitting unused for more than two decades to becoming valuable resources that will benefit communities across the Grenadines for years to come.”
The team of volunteers that made the delivery possible included: Scarlett Hadley, Akira Browne, Ila Mitchell, Zach McLawrence, Isaiah Blackett, Rio Marks Dasent, Kai Marks Dasent, Jordi Lewis, Benji Cyrus, Noe Dulac, Logan Banfield, Kishon Bruno, Joseph Hadley, Tai Mitchell, Elfie Holden, Rob Holden, Martin Ince, and Jenny Trumble.