Carib Scope

分类： society

  • LETTER: The Gray’s Green Community : One Aim, One Community, One Destiny …

    LETTER: The Gray’s Green Community : One Aim, One Community, One Destiny …

    In a public letter submitted for publication, community member Alex has offered reflection on the recently concluded presidential election at Gray’s Green United Inc., opening with formal congratulations to newly elected leader Mr. Cranston on his electoral win. The race, which ended in one of the tightest results in the organization’s recent history, saw Cranston secure victory over opponent Ms. Taryn Nicholas by only a razor-thin margin. Despite Cranston’s win at the ballot box, Alex argues that Nicholas should view her own performance as a victory in its own right, given the steep political uphill battle she faced throughout the campaign.

    Nicholas competed against two high-profile opponents for much of the race: incumbent outgoing president Mr. Shaw and challenger Cranston. Shaw’s last-minute exit from the campaign upended the race entirely: after dropping out, Shaw threw his full organizational and personal support behind Cranston, redirecting all of his existing base of backers to his rival’s campaign. That combined bloc of support, Alex notes, ultimately pushed Cranston across the finish line to claim the narrow win.

    Alex acknowledges that the outcome is disappointing for Nicholas and her supporters, but frames the result as an inherent part of the democratic process, urging Nicholas not to be discouraged by the tight loss. Over her years of involvement with the community, Nicholas has already compiled an impressive record of tangible contributions to Gray’s Green, and Alex stresses that she has ample opportunity to continue that important work whether she takes on an official role or contributes independently.

    Looking ahead to the new term, Alex calls on Cranston to recognize the value of partnering with Nicholas, pointing to her demonstrated leadership potential and deep knowledge of the community’s needs that can strengthen efforts to advance local development. With Cranston set to begin his second term in office, all eyes are now on the incoming leadership team to deliver on promised improvements, including the long-awaited development of Keithley Sheppard Park.

    Alex echoes the community’s long-held unifying motto: “One Aim, One Community & One Destiny,” which intentionally embraces every member of Gray’s Green, regardless of political affiliation. Projects that serve the public good, from park development to other community initiatives, should never be framed as the sole legacy of any single politician or faction. Instead, meaningful progress depends on the combined effort of all community members, working together under the guidance of the elected leadership team to build a better future for everyone.

  • Van, Mini Cooper Badly Damaged in Friars Hill Road Crash

    Van, Mini Cooper Badly Damaged in Friars Hill Road Crash

    A high-impact road collision on Friars Hill Road left two common passenger vehicles, a van and a Mini Cooper, with severe structural damage following the incident. Local emergency and traffic response teams were dispatched to the scene shortly after the crash was reported to clear debris, manage traffic flow, and document the details of the accident. While the full extent of injuries to the people involved in the collision has not been publicly released in initial updates, first responders confirmed that all parties involved received prompt on-site medical assessment before being transported to nearby care facilities if needed. Investigators from the local traffic police department have launched a formal inquiry to determine the root cause of the crash, with early leads focusing on factors including speed, road conditions at the time of the incident, and potential driver distraction. The collision caused temporary traffic disruptions along the busy Friars Hill Road corridor as crews worked to remove the damaged vehicles and repair any damage to the roadway surface. Motorists were advised to seek alternate routes during the cleanup process to avoid long delays. Local transportation officials have reminded drivers of the importance of maintaining safe speeds and remaining focused on the road, particularly on high-traffic urban corridors like Friars Hill Road where sudden stops and unexpected maneuvers are common. The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to compile a full report on the incident.

  • Community Vibes summer camp immerses children in culture and creativity

    Community Vibes summer camp immerses children in culture and creativity

    Against the backdrop of warm Barbadian summer, Community Vibes Summer Camp is filling the halls of Westbury Primary School with the sounds of drumming, the rustle of crochet yarn, and the laughter of young learners, as participants dive into a six-week immersive cultural experience running from July 13 to August 21. More than just a seasonal recreational program, the camp is designed to engage local youth with authentic Barbadian heritage while equipping them with practical, income-generating skills – culminating in public performances at the island’s annual Emancipation Day celebrations.

    Curated by veteran youth program leader Glenn Harvey, who has dedicated more than 30 years to summer camp programming and five years leading Community Vibes specifically, the camp offers a diverse lineup of activities tailored to connect young people to their cultural roots. Beyond hands-on workshops in traditional crafts and performance – including crochet, African drumming, folk dance, and handcrafted jewelry making – the camp has organized four educational exploratory tours, inter-camp sporting events, and a cross-community mini carnival open to all cultural youth camps across the parish of St. Michael.

    Harvey, who founded the program after years of youth work, says the camp has built a formidable legacy in competitive cultural crafts over its history, particularly in crochet. “Two years ago, we took home every top honor at the national crochet competition, including the Prime Minister’s Award. Last year, we only missed out on one trophy, claiming all the rest. This year, we’re aiming to sweep the board again,” he shared in an interview Wednesday.

    The planned educational outings, dubbed “tour and picnic” by organizers, take campers to sites of historical and educational importance across the island, ending with group leisure time at popular local picnic spots to build camaraderie among participants. For the upcoming mini carnival, Harvey has partnered with the senior youth commissioner for St. Michael to invite youth from other local cultural camps to join the community event, turning it into a collaborative celebration of Barbadian youth culture. When Emancipation Day arrives, camp participants will take center stage, showcasing the dancing, drumming, and craft skills they’ve honed all summer in public street performances that mark the island’s celebration of freedom.

    A majority of the camp’s attendees hail from nearby inner-city communities, including New Orleans, Baxter’s Road, Westbury Road, and Passage Road, providing structured, positive activity for young people during summer break. Harvey emphasized the value of the program for these youth, noting, “It’s wonderful to see kids keep their minds occupied with meaningful, varied activities, and the government has done excellent work to keep these community camp programs running.” He also praised newly appointed Youth and Culture Minister Senator Shane Archer for recent policy improvements that increased capital funding and adjusted salaries for camp directors and support staff, changes that have strengthened the program’s ability to serve youth.

    For many participants, the highlight of the camp’s curriculum is the crochet workshop led by veteran instructor Sybil Fiedler, who frames the craft as both a cultural art form and an entrepreneurial pathway for young people. “Crochet is a fiber art where you turn simple string into something tangible and beautiful,” Fiedler explained to a group of new learners earlier this week, as captured in a photo by Lauryn Escamilla. “It’s an art you have to love to master.”

    Walking beginners through the foundational steps of the craft, Fiedler emphasized that every complex project starts with a single chain stitch, encouraging new learners not to grow discouraged by early missteps. “Don’t let this craft master you – you master it,” she told participants. Beyond being a relaxing hobby, Fiedler notes that crochet can open up unexpected income streams for young people, especially teens. “If a friend sees a teen wearing a crocheted piece they made, they’ll often ask for a custom piece, and that’s quick extra cash they can earn on their own,” she explained. By the end of the six-week session on August 21, participants will have crafted granny square bags and a range of other handmade projects that will be displayed at the camp’s final end-of-session exhibition.

  • Man jailed for stealing salami twice in one day

    Man jailed for stealing salami twice in one day

    A 58-year-old unemployed resident of St. Vincent and the Grenadines has received a consecutive prison sentence after pleading guilty to two counts of shoplifting, stealing chicken salami from the same Massy Stores location twice in a single day.

    The case, adjudicated at the Kingstown Magistrate’s Court before Senior Magistrate Tamika McKenzie, traces back to an organized surveillance operation on June 29, when loss prevention officer Shelicia Hooper, who was already aware of the man’s repeated theft of the product from the store, launched targeted monitoring of the outlet at Stony Ground.

    At approximately 5:30 p.m. that day, while reviewing closed-circuit television (CCTV) feeds, Hooper spotted the defendant, Cecil Young, entering the store wearing all black clothing and carrying a black backpack. Camera footage captured Young placing one Roberts Danish Cooked Chicken Salami into his backpack before heading toward the store exit. Hooper immediately alerted on-site security personnel, instructing them to detain Young and prevent him from leaving the premises.

    A subsequent deeper review of earlier CCTV footage uncovered a second theft that had occurred roughly 15 minutes before the second incident: Young had already entered the store, taken two of the same chicken salami products, concealed them in his bag, and left without completing payment. The total value of all three stolen salami amounted to EC$92.85, with the pair of salami valued at EC$61.90 and the single salami priced at EC$30.95, all listed as property of Massy Stores.

    After detaining Young, security staff handed him over to responding officers from the Kingstown Criminal Investigation Department, including Police Constable 72 Boyd. Boyd reviewed the surveillance footage, then conducted a formal interview and caution of Young in the presence of Police Constable 534 Adams.

    During questioning, Young did not dispute the charges. He acknowledged his actions and confirmed that he was the individual captured on camera committing both thefts. When arraigned, Young entered guilty pleas for the two separate theft charges. Senior Magistrate McKenzie reviewed the CCTV evidence directly during the court proceeding before handing down the sentence.

    Young was sentenced to eight months and 12 days of imprisonment for the theft of the pair of salami, and an additional seven and a half months behind bars for the theft of the single salami. The sentences have been ordered to run consecutively, resulting in a combined total prison term of 16 months and 12 days. McKenzie also issued an order for the recovered salami to be returned to Massy Stores.

  • Superette Operator Killed in Freeman’s Village Shooting

    Superette Operator Killed in Freeman’s Village Shooting

    A quiet residential community in Antigua and Barbuda was rocked by violence early Thursday morning, after a local convenience store operator was fatally gunned down at their shop located along Freeman’s Village Main Road. According to initial reports from the scene, the deadly shooting unfolded just minutes before 8:30 a.m., a time when the small commercial corridor typically starts to see a steady stream of local shoppers and commuters.

    As of the latest update, law enforcement officials have not yet released clear details about what led up to the attack, leaving key questions about motive and potential suspects unanswered. The victim’s name and other identifying information are also being withheld temporarily, as authorities work to notify next of kin and complete early forensic processing of the crime scene.

    The sudden, violent death has sent waves of shock and unease through the tight-knit Freeman’s Village neighborhood, where violent crime remains a rare occurrence. Many local residents expressed surprise at the incident, saying that attacks of this nature are out of step with the community’s usual calm atmosphere. Officers from the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda have taken charge of the investigation, and have confirmed that they will release additional updates to the public as more information becomes available through their ongoing probe.

  • Thieves Target Same Glanvilles Home Twice in Two Days, Residents Raise Alarm

    Thieves Target Same Glanvilles Home Twice in Two Days, Residents Raise Alarm

    In the quiet neighborhood of Glanvilles, located on the Caribbean island of Antigua, a string of brazen residential break-ins has shattered local peace and left residents on edge. Over a 48-hour window, the same private home was targeted twice by thieves, who made off with a wide range of high-value personal belongings including untraceable cash, family heirloom jewellery, portable electronics, and other prized possessions.

    According to local accounts, the second incursion left the property in significant disarray. Intruders focused their search on the home’s bedroom spaces, yanking open every drawer, dumping contents across carpets and floors, and turning the once-orderly living space upside down in their hunt for anything of resale or personal value.

    The first break-in took place earlier that same week, leaving the home’s owners already shaken. But in an unusual show of criminal boldness, the suspects returned just 24 hours later, bypassed whatever weak security the household had in place, and stole a second cache of items before slipping away undetected.

    These repeated, audacious crimes have rippled through the tight-knit Glanvilles community, amplifying long-simmering concerns about residential safety. Many locals now say they no longer feel secure even within the walls of their own homes, worried that they could be the next target of the repeat intruders.

    In response to the growing anxiety, Glanvilles residents are pressing local law enforcement agencies to take immediate action. Their primary demand is a sharp increase in visible foot and vehicle police patrols throughout the neighborhood to deter further criminal activity. Community leaders are also urging any local resident or visitor who noticed suspicious activity in the area around the time of the burglaries to share what they know with authorities, even if the detail seems insignificant.

    Antiguan law enforcement officials have confirmed that ongoing investigations are underway into both break-ins. As of the latest updates, no suspects have been taken into custody, and police continue to collect evidence and interview witnesses to build their case.

  • Man, 40, gets 40 months in jail for firearm, ammo

    Man, 40, gets 40 months in jail for firearm, ammo

    Law enforcement authorities in St. Vincent and the Grenadines have successfully taken two unlicensed firearms and their matching ammunition off public streets, marking a recent win in the country’s ongoing campaign against illegal weapon trafficking and violent crime.

    In the first case, 40-year-old construction worker Lesmond Franklyn, a resident of the Dickson and Orange Hill area, has been sentenced to 40 months of imprisonment for unauthorized possession of a firearm. During his appearance at the Serious Offences Court on Wednesday, Franklyn received an additional one-year jail term for holding unlicensed ammunition, with sentences set to run concurrently.

    Franklyn’s arrest came just one day before his court appearance, when joint tactical patrol units from the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) encountered him during a sweep of Orange Hill. A search of the suspect turned up a loaded .380 caliber pistol alongside seven rounds of ammunition, none of which were accompanied by the required licensing mandated by the country’s Firearms Act.

    Following the conviction, the RSVGPF issued a public statement commending the officers involved in the operation, highlighting their proactive vigilance, inter-unit coordination, and swift decision-making that not only removed a deadly illegal weapon from local communities but also secured an expedited court appearance for the accused.

    In a separate, concurrent case connected to the same anti-illegal-weapon drive, police have charged 30-year-old construction worker Rahiem Williams, a Lowmans Leeward resident, with three offences: possession of a Glock 43X pistol without a license, possession of six rounds of unlicensed ammunition, and unauthorized taking of a motor vehicle without the owner’s consent. The offences are alleged to have occurred on the preceding Monday.

    When arraigned at the Serious Offences Court, Williams entered a plea of not guilty to all three charges. He was subsequently granted conditional bail set at EC$20,000, requiring one financially responsible surety to secure his release. As a condition of bail, Williams must check in daily at the Central Police Station during an open 12-hour window from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and surrender all international and domestic travel documents to authorities. His case has been adjourned for a next hearing scheduled for August 6.

    In an official comment on the two seizures, the RSVGPF emphasized that removing these two weapons from circulation carries broader public safety significance beyond just the recovery of two pieces of ordnance. Each confiscated firearm eliminates a potential threat: it can no longer be drawn during a personal dispute, used to terrorize and intimidate innocent civilians, or deployed to inflict harm on another person, the force noted.

    The RSVGPF reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to rooting out illegal firearms across St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Law enforcement teams across all districts will continue carrying out targeted patrols, joint inter-unit operations, authorized searches, and proactive enforcement actions focused on locating unlicensed weapons, taking them out of circulation, and holding violators accountable through the judicial system.

    The force moved to assure the public that all anti-weapon operations are carried out to protect community safety and uphold the public good. However, the RSVGPF also acknowledged that police action alone cannot resolve the widespread problem of illegal firearms in the country. Tip-offs and intelligence from ordinary citizens remain a critical, irreplaceable component of successful weapons seizures. The force is calling on any member of the public with information about unlicensed firearms, ammunition, or individuals engaged in firearm-related criminal activity to contact police departments immediately.

    “Every firearm removed is one less weapon available to threaten the peace and security of St. Vincent and the Grenadines,” the statement concluded.

  • St Philip folk push for safe spaces, restored heritage sites

    St Philip folk push for safe spaces, restored heritage sites

    Residents of St Philip parish in Barbados have secured formal commitments from Prime Minister Mia Mottley and local parliamentary representatives to advance long-delayed projects restoring and expanding the parish’s recreational and heritage spaces. The pledges came out of the latest community Ideas Forum, held Monday night at Princess Margaret Secondary School, where locals gathered to lay out pressing needs for shared public spaces that serve young athletes, aging residents, community organizers, and the island’s tourism sector.

    Many of the appeals centered on expanding access to safe recreational infrastructure, a need framed by residents as critical to supporting youth development and steering young people away from involvement in criminal activity. Long-time community advocate Jones, a committee member of the popular Long Bay 5K run, opened the call for increased public investment in recreational facilities to keep local youth productively engaged.

    Sherwin Greenidge, a Gemswick resident, expanded on this demand, putting forward a detailed proposal for a combined community recreation and wellness center on a vacant, previously used plot of land in his neighborhood. Greenidge noted that for more than 25 years, local residents have advocated for development on this site, pointing to unmet needs across multiple demographic groups. Talented young football and cricket players who currently hone their skills at the Dodds detention facility would gain a dedicated public space to practice, while older residents like himself would no longer need to compete with vehicle traffic to walk for exercise in the Gemswick area.

    Under Greenidge’s plan, the multi-use facility would include outdoor playing fields, a pavilion, a gym, and a dedicated walking and jogging track, supporting both elite youth athletic development and routine healthy activity for all residents. He added that the center could also double as an emergency resource hub during natural disasters, expanding its public value beyond recreation.

    Fellow Gemswick resident Jim Brown echoed Greenidge’s call, delivering an impassioned appeal for upgrades to the neighborhood’s existing playing field—an improvement he has lobbied consecutive governments to deliver for more than 30 years. Brown noted that the upgraded field could host cricket, netball, walking groups, and provide a safe gathering space for local youth.

    Responding to these requests, St Philip South Member of Parliament Indar Weir confirmed that preliminary talks over land acquisition for the proposed Gemswick recreation center began with former housing minister Dwight Sutherland, and that Prime Minister Mottley first committed to the project ahead of the 2018 general election. Progress was derailed by the global COVID-19 pandemic, but Weir reaffirmed the government’s commitment to delivering both the new center and the playing field upgrades.

    “I am strongly supporting Jim Brown and Sherwin to make sure we have the facility delivered to the people at Gemswick,” Weir said. “This also came up in the last election campaign, and I can also give you the assurance that I discussed it with the prime minister…The youngsters, when I canvassed the area, also reminded me that they needed to make sure they have that facility delivered to them.”

    Weir also addressed resident calls for dedicated safe walking spaces, revealing that negotiations are already underway with the private owner of Oldbury Woods to open the land for public use. He added that there are ongoing discussions to redevelop the wooded area, which is home to a large concentration of mahogany trees, into a national mahogany park that would include public vending opportunities for local entrepreneurs, leveraging its strategic location to drive community economic activity.

    Beyond recreational infrastructure, long-time local educator Betty-Lyn Estwick pushed for urgent restoration of the iconic Ragged Point Lighthouse, a key historical and tourist site that has fallen into disrepair. Estwick argued that the rusted, unmaintained site is not fit to welcome visiting tourists, and called for it to be redeveloped into a safe public recreational space with new landscaping and seating. She also highlighted the need for improved maintenance and restoration for other Barbados heritage sites including Mount Hillaby and the Morgan Lewis Windmill, and called for the reinstatement of the Parks and Beaches Commission, the former agency replaced by the National Conservation Commission that previously oversaw management of public recreational and heritage spaces.

    “How do we feel comfortable telling visitors, these are our places of interest, and then we don’t take care of them? If tourism is our business, let us take it seriously and let us really play our part,” Estwick said. “If you bring back parks and beaches and you give them good supervisors, let them see that you’re serious, they can have responsibility for looking after these places and keeping them looking the way they should look.”

    Attorney General Wilfred Abrahams backed Estwick’s call, noting that expanding and diversifying Barbados’ tourism and recreational offerings beyond the island’s most well-known sites is a key priority, and he would personally advocate for moving forward with the lighthouse restoration. St Philip North MP Dr. Sonia Browne also confirmed support for the project, adding that a formal proposal for a lighthouse museum centered on the site’s historical heritage has already been submitted to government for consideration.

    In closing out the forum, local resident Carl Padmore called for a new performance space at Princess Margaret Secondary School to be named in honor of pioneering Barbadian theatre figure Osbert McLean, and pushed for greater preservation of Six Roads’ unique historical heritage and its contributions to St Philip’s development.

    Addressing attendees after the public comment period, Prime Minister Mottley delivered a firm pledge that her government would deliver a permanent auditorium and amphitheater facility for St Philip during its current term, contingent on the island avoiding major natural disasters that would disrupt government budget priorities. “I give you a commitment that we will have a proper amphitheater auditorium-type facility for the people of St Philip that will happen in this term, God willing and God willing that there are no further natural disasters that will take us off track,” Mottley said.

  • Guyana: Dodental MV Barima stijgt naar 103

    Guyana: Dodental MV Barima stijgt naar 103

    Three full days of coordinated search, rescue and recovery operations involving Guyana’s coast guard, private boat operators and local fishermen have pushed the confirmed death toll from the capsizing of the MV Barima ferry to 103, with 77 people rescued alive from the disaster, according to official updates from the government.

    The latest fatality count follows the recovery of 22 additional bodies recovered on the third day of response to the maritime tragedy, Public Works Minister Juan Edghill announced during a press briefing confirming the updated casualty and rescue figures.

    The deadly incident has triggered fierce public and political backlash, with widespread demands for Minister Edghill’s resignation from his cabinet post. Opposition political groups including WIN, APNU, FGM and VPAC have accused the national government of systemic failures and leadership negligence, arguing that ministerial accountability must extend beyond the low-level staff directly involved in the MV Barima’s operations. Calls for resignation have also been extended to Public Utilities and Aviation Minister Deodat Indar and MARAD Director Stephen Thomas. In a preliminary administrative move ahead of a full formal investigation, the government placed the entire management team responsible for cargo loading and safety oversight of the MV Barima on administrative leave on Monday.

    Responding to the opposition’s demands during a press conference, Prime Minister Mark Phillips asserted that any decisions on ministerial removals fall exclusively under the authority of the presidency. He dismissed the criticism as “noise”, emphasizing that the national priority must remain focused on ongoing search, rescue and recovery efforts. Phillips also noted that the government has already collaborated with opposition parties on response operations, and called for calm and stability across the country.

    After the coordinates of the sunken wreck were confirmed, search and recovery operations have been significantly expanded. Currently, 16 vessels from both government and private sectors are deployed across a search area expanded to 2,100 square kilometers, extending all the way to the Waini Point region, in a bid to increase the chances of locating any remaining survivors.

    French and local divers are currently conducting underwater operations around the wreck site. While one body has been identified inside the capsized vessel, challenging conditions have so far prevented recovery teams from retrieving it. Additional divers, including specialist salvage experts from Trinidad and Brazil, are expected to arrive imminently to speed up recovery work.

    All search and recovery activities are coordinated and supported by the Guyana Coast Guard and other relevant state agencies. Authorities have confirmed that all recovered remains are immediately transferred to police at a dedicated staging facility at the Charity River Dam, to support identification efforts. To support bereaved family members, special flights are being operated to transport people from remote inland communities to hospital facilities to formally identify deceased loved ones, with the process supported by Minister of Health Frank Anthony and his team. As of the latest update, 44 recovered bodies have been formally identified, and 23 of those have already been released to their families for burial.

    Opposition leader Azruddin Mohamed has issued scathing criticism of the government’s handling of the ferry sector and the disaster response, pointing to inconsistent passenger manifests, documented overloading of the vessel, and longstanding negligence within the responsible ministry. He has repeated calls for Minister Edghill’s immediate resignation, describing the MV Barima tragedy as one of the worst national disasters Guyana has faced since the 1978 Jonestown mass killing.

    Mohamed also claimed that required maintenance for the aging ferry was repeatedly delayed despite allocated budget for the work, and that internal disputes over service contracts had compromised safety oversight. The MV Barima was 90 years old at the time of its capsizing, and should have been decommissioned years ago due to safety concerns, according to the opposition leader.

    In response to the tragedy, President Irfaan Ali has declared three days of national mourning, and has pledged to launch a full, transparent investigation into every aspect of the disaster. The president affirmed that the government’s top priorities remain saving any remaining lives, supporting impacted families and communities, and delivering full, clear answers to relatives of those lost in the incident.

  • Captain dies after rescue

    Captain dies after rescue

    An eight-day nightmare of being lost adrift in the open Atlantic ended in mixed tragedy and relief for the crew of the missing Trinidadian fishing vessel St Vincent VII, after the captain of the vessel died just hours after he and his five crewmates were pulled to safety by a passing commercial ship. The Ministry of Defence of Trinidad and Tobago confirmed the devastating turn of events in an official statement released Wednesday, just hours after a morning announcement that all six crew members had been found alive.

    The ordeal for the St Vincent VII’s crew began on July 6, when the vessel, carrying six yellowfin tuna fishermen employed by local operator Renita Enterprises Ltd, departed the Chaguaramas marine yard for a fishing expedition. On July 13, the vessel caught fire roughly 30 nautical miles off the maritime border of Suriname and French Guiana, disabling its power systems and cutting off all communication with shore. For more than a week, the vessel drifted aimlessly with the Atlantic’s trade winds and currents, leaving families in the dark and sparking a widespread regional search effort.

    The dramatic rescue unfolded at approximately 9 p.m. on Tuesday, when the Maritime Operations Command Centre received an unexpected report from the crew of the MV Marvel Kite, a cargo ship bound for the United States. While traveling west around 349 nautical miles east of Galeota, the Marvel Kite’s crew spotted the listing, disabled St Vincent VII in open water. After approaching the distressed vessel, they confirmed that all six missing fishermen were on board, alive. Early reports from the rescue team described the men as being in reasonably good health, a update that brought immediate waves of relief to anxious relatives who had spent more than a week pleading for help to locate the vessel.

    That hope quickly turned to grief, however, when 66-year-old captain Anthony Murray, a Trinidadian national, began experiencing severe respiratory distress just hours after being taken aboard the MV Marvel Kite. According to the Ministry’s statement, Murray initially showed no signs of pain or discomfort, but his breathing gradually became shallower, and he was pronounced lifeless before the rescue vessel could reach its planned rendezvous with the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard’s CG25 vessel off the coast of St. Lucia.

    Following Murray’s passing, the decision was made to divert the MV Marvel Kite to St. Vincent, where local authorities will complete a formal death declaration, conduct a medical examination, and provide any required care for the five surviving crew members. Once cleared by medical teams, the remaining fishermen will be flown back to Trinidad by the Trinidad and Tobago Air Guard.

    The Ministry of Defence has issued a formal apology for two separate delays in communicating updates to the public and the crew’s families. Officials first apologized for withholding the announcement of Murray’s death until after his immediate family had been notified, a step the ministry said was taken out of respect for the Murray family. In a signed statement, Defence Minister Wayne Sturge also extended the government’s gratitude to the crew of the MV Marvel Kite for their life-saving intervention, and offered sincere condolences to Murray’s family following his “untimely and unfortunate passing.”

    But the apology has not quelled frustration from the families of the surviving crew, who say they have been kept in the dark for days despite promises of immediate updates. Amanda Suraj, wife of crew member Shannon “Joey” Mohammed, told local reporters that while she was overjoyed to hear her husband had survived, she had yet to receive direct official notification from authorities or speak to her husband by phone, even after the Ministry of Defence published its initial rescue announcement to the media.

    Speaking from her family home in Claxton Bay Wednesday, Suraj criticized officials for prioritizing media statements over notifying next of kin, saying the ongoing uncertainty remains deeply traumatizing for waiting relatives. “I believe our prayers were answered because they were rescued, but I still haven’t heard my husband’s voice,” she said. “It is disrespectful that the Ministry of Defence issued a media release about the rescue, yet no one has contacted the families or allowed the crew members to call us.”

    Suraj added that conflicting rumors about the crew’s location have only heightened anxiety: reports have placed the rescued men in St. Lucia, Barbados, and St. Vincent, with no official confirmation of their whereabouts. After eight days adrift on a disabled vessel following the fire, Suraj said her family has already endured enough sleepless nights. “We’re thankful they are alive, but we deserve to hear from them after all this uncertainty,” she said.