Rough seas force boat to leave traffickers’ goods behind

The tropical storms that have been affecting the Caribbean since last week may have cost local traffickers thousands of dollars.

On Wednesday, several traffickers explained to SEARCHLIGHT that because of rough seas generated by unstable weather conditions in the region, Admiral Bay, the boat that takes their produce to Trinidad and Tobago and Barbados was unable to be loaded.

As a result, when traffickers brought their produce to the Geest Shed on Monday, the produce had to remain there for close to two days, which resulted in the ripening of hundreds of avocado pears.

Trafficker Lesline Davis of Belmont said while she knows that the sea water is God’s work, it was frustrating to have the produce for which they owe farmers, ripening and spoiling before it reaches Trinidad.

She said that the Admiral Bay began accepting goods on Monday, after the Geest Boat had finished loading, but had to stop as the seas got too rough, forcing the Admiral Bay back to Bequia.

She said that the boat returned on Tuesday, but it was still too rough.

“…So now we in problems, plenty ripe avocadoes here. This is the first time for a long time this happen,” said Davis, who added, “you might hear some farmer chop me up for their money, because they don’t want to hear if we go or if we ain’t go; they want their payment.”

When SEARCHLIGHT made checks on Thursday, we were told that the boat was loaded on Wednesday evening and has already arrived in Trinidad.

When contacted, Davis said that she was thankful but noted that traffickers made a big loss this week and are still unable to repatriate the money earned from sales in Trinidad to St Vincent.