Three Vincentian men rescued at sea

Three Vincentians were rescued at sea by two motor vessels within a week in July. Rescued are Junior De Roche, 18 years, of Union Island and Bradley Dickson, 28 years, of Rillian Hill, who were rescued by M/V Gaselys on July 21, 2016, and Macgyver Allick, who was rescued by M/V Trinidad Trader on July 28, 2016.

The Coastguard was informed on Monday, July 18, 2016, by Union Island Police Station,{{more}} that Junior De Roche and Bradley Dickson left St Vincent on Saturday, July 16, 2016, about 3 p.m. for Union Island in a 16 ft fishing vessel (F/V). At about 4:30 p.m. the vessel developed engine problems off Petit Canouan. The men attempted several times to restart the engine without any success and started to drift.

Upon receipt of the Overdue Vessel Report, a Search and Rescue operation was activated for De Roche and Dickson. The Maritime Rescue Coordinating Centre in Trinidad and Tobago and other relevant agencies were informed and searches were conducted by the Coastguard. The Coastguard was also informed that a vessel had left Union Island on July 16, 2016, to conduct searches for the men, with negative sighting.

De Roche, in his statement given to the Coastguard, stated “we made several cell phone calls to family and friends, including the owner of the vessel; however, we continued drifting outside of cell phone coverage and sight of land. On Thursday, July 21, 2016, I decided to try to start the engine again by pulling out some wires and placing them back on; the engine then started. We then began to run the boat and while doing so, we saw a boat in the distance and we decided to go towards it. When we reached it, we flagged it down and asked for food. We were given food, water and orange juice; however, the vessel continued on its route. We decided to follow the vessel; it stopped, took us on board, including our vessel and were told that we would be taken to St Vincent.”

De Roche and Dickson were rescued 133 nautical miles northwest of St Vincent by M/V Gaselys, an oil tanker which was en route to the United States. M/V Gaselys was contacted by the SVG Coastguard through the Maritime Rescue Coordinating Centre, Trinidad, and arrangements were made by the Coastguard to rendezvous with M/V Gaselys, collect De Roche and Dickson, as well as the vessel, on Friday, July 22, 2016. They were taken to the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital on arrival at the Coastguard Base, Calliaqua.

On Friday, July 28, 2016, SVG Coastguard was informed by Jamaica Defence Force Coastguard that F/V Sharky, registration number J8-869, was rescued by M/V Trinidad Trader, with one person on board, Macgyver Allick. Trinidad Trader, which was en route to Kingston, Jamaica, on arrival at outer anchorage handed over Sharky and occupant to a Coastguard cutter, which towed it to HMJS CAGWAY, Jamaica Coastguard Base.

Allick informed the Jamaica Coastguard that there had been another occupant on board, whom he only knows as Bernard; he said Bernard had died, his body was decomposing and as a result he threw him overboard and that they were drifting for a month and a half. Allick was taken to the Kingston Public Hospital for medical treatment for dehydration. His mother was contacted about his rescue and she confirmed his name and date of birth to be Macgyvar Allick, 25 years, of St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

On Saturday, July 18, 2016, SVG Coastguard received an overdue vessel report from Inegus Miguel, who reported that his F/V Sharky registration number J8-869 left Rose Place on Tuesday, June 14, 2016, on a trial run to the North Leeward coast and was expected to travel to Union Island. He informed the Coastguard that the vessel was captained by Bernard Roberts and crew Macgyver Allick. He added that he made several attempts to contact them via cell phones, but his efforts were futile.

The Coastguard, upon receipt of the report of overdue F/V Sharky, commenced Search and Rescue (SAR) operations for the vessel and its occupants. The Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre, Trinidad and Tobago Coastguard and other relevant authorities/institutions were contacted and provided with all information on “Sharky”. Owner and relatives of the persons onboard were provided with periodic updates on the SAR operations for F/V Sharky. (Police Public Relations)