Missing Vincentians safe in Martinique

The three local fishermen who were missing at sea as Tropical Storm Matthew pounded the region have been found alive off the coast of Martinique.

This was confirmed by the SVG Coastguard yesterday, September 29.{{more}}

First reported missing at sea last Monday, Andrew Baptiste, James Baptiste and Lesworth Young were last seen leaving Kingstown

harbour at 6 a.m. on September 26 in a 25-foot fishing vessel named ‘Divers’ – heading south west of Kingstown.

The trio were expected back by 6 p.m. the same day, however, owner of the vessel Lorenzo James did not receive any communication from any of the occupants on-board. Eldon O’Garro, of the Goodwill Fisherman’s Cooperative, then reported the men missing to the SVG Coastguard at 9:48 p.m.

The information was disseminated to the MRCC Trinidad, which is responsible for search and rescue in the southern Caribbean, with a request for an aerial search to be conducted.

Additionally, the information was sent to all local stations in SVG, as well as regional countries such as Grenada, St Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda, and St Kitts and Nevis.

Up to press time, the three fishermen were still in Martinique awaiting transportation arrangements for their return to St Vincent and the Grenadines.