MV Gem Star 2 soon to be back in operation

The M.V. Gem Star 2, one of the main ferries that service the Grenadine islands, will soon be back on the water after it went adrift. Last Sunday, December 15, 2024, a rope entangled in the propellers of the vessel and damaged the engine as the boat was making its way to Canouan after a trip to Carriacou.

Management said on Wednesday, December 18, 2024 that they are awaiting two small pieces of replacement equipment- “nothing major”, and most of the damage has already been addressed.

On Sunday, December 15, 2024, the boat was towed to safety after being adrift for about eight hours when the rope damaged the engine. There were about 400 people onboard when the vessel started having difficulties around 7:30 p.m.

During the ordeal, the boat was joined by the Coast Guard, and then a tugboat that took the vessel into Canouan safely.

In a Facebook post last Sunday, the MV Gem Star 2 wrote, “The Coast Guard is now along-side the M.V. Gem Star. Thank you to those responsible for sending the Coast Guard out so our customers and crew can feel a bit safer.

“Thanks to the men of the Coast Guard for braving the seas at this hour. We appreciate you.”

The Coast Guard is said to have arrived at the disabled vessel sometime before 11:00 p.m on Sunday, with the tugboat arriving less than two hours later and towed the vessel to Canouan, arriving sometime after 3:00 a.m. on Monday, December 16, 2024.

The MV Gem Star 2 is a critical part of the transportation network for Grenadines residents especially now in the wake of disruptions caused by Hurricane Beryl.