PM gives greenlight for return of Dennie’s boat

Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves has given the green light for Mark Dennie’s fishing vessel to be returned to St Vincent and the Grenadines from Puerto Rico.{{more}}

The decision came a little over 24 hours after Dennie told SEARCHLIGHT of his plight. Last Tuesday, he claimed that the government was slothful in fulfilling its promise to bring his boat, “JAH LOVE”, back to these shores.

Dennie, a Resident of Rose Place, was one of three fishermen who rowed their boat to safety in Puerto Rico after being adrift at sea for 10 days. The men had set out from St. Vincent as part of the Fisherman’s Day activities on May 24, 2010, when they experienced difficulties. They were treated to a Hero’s welcome on June 4, 2010, when they returned to St. Vincent.

Dennie, his son Jomarley “Marley” Cyrus, Dr Michael Dennie and Lloyd Baptiste met with the Prime Minister on Wednesday August 4, for a little over two hours, discussing the way forward in getting the boat back home, an exercise which is estimated to cost EC$13,000.

“I am thankful to the Prime Minister that I have finally been given word that my boat will be returned to me, so that I can continue doing what I do best,” Dennie said in an interview with SEARCHLIGHT on Monday, August 9.

Dennie also disclosed that the Prime Minister gave him a personal donation to assist with his utility bills and other personal expenses. “It has been eight weeks since I have not gone to fish and I am glad for the assistance,” said Mark, who also runs a small business to support himself and his family.

On Friday July 30, Dennie, along with Caspar London and Fisherman Lloyd Baptiste set up an account at the St Vincent Co-Operative Bank Ltd. called the “Mark Dennie Fishing Vessel Recovery Fund”, to assist with the return of the vessel to St. Vincent.

Now that he has been given word that his boat will be returned, Dennie said the money in the fund will be used to fix any damage to the boat and for any fisherman who faces the same ordeal as he and his crew did back in May. “I am not doing this for any personal or politicial gain, I’m just trying to get my boat back on the water,” he added. The account number at the Bank is 80411.

However, no definite date has been given as to when his boat will be returned. He is currently processing the necessary documents with Coreas Shipping Agency to have his vessel brought back home.(KW)