Thank you, from yachties Mark and Tina

Tue Dec 03, 2013

Dear Compass,

Mark and Tina here, from S/V Rainbow. We are anchored off of your beautiful little island of Bequia, heading north to St Croix for Christmas. While we still are haunted by our incident, we are continuing on with our dream. We are able to do this because of all the wonderful/supportive people in our lives (old and new). Our heartfelt gratitude goes to so many – we must leave room in the Caribbean Compass for others, so if we left out a name or business, it is only due to space and we appreciate everyone and everything.{{more}}

Thank you:

Rescue 1 – Darren from Prickly Bay Marina in Grenada for providing your services and organizing all the emergency response teams on Hillsborough dock in Carriacou.

S/V Sea Life – Mark, smiles to you!! Hearing a familiar voice on the VHF during our crisis was a godsend and thanks for being the liaison.

Princess Royal Hospital and staff in Carriacou – especially Dr St Louis.

Royal Grenada Police Force – especially Officer James in Carriacou.

S/V Fantasy – Special thanks to Jimmy and Chez for cleaning our boat after the incident and appointing Jordyn as a sail mate for Mark to sail back to Grenada.

Our blessed angel – Shadel Nyack Compton, and Steve Hursford, from the Grenada Board of Tourism for making a horrific ordeal turn into an amazing friendship.

The Flamboyant Hotel in Grenada for putting us up for three days of much needed R&R.

Ule, from Victory Bar & Restaurant in Port Louis Marina, Grenada, for hosting our yacht safety and security meeting on October 10th.

Anita and Mark from Island Dreams yacht services in Grenada, for their continuing support and help with further medical assistance with Dr Amachi at St Augustine Hospital.

Glynn Thomas and Danny Donelan from Port Louis Marina for giving us dockage and transportation to St Augustine Hospital.

The Government of St Vincent & the Grenadines for apprehending the three boys and prosecuting two of them (one has turned Crown witness). We thank Officer Justin Cupid on Union Island, CID Officer Timm on St Vincent, Commissioner of Police Michael Charles, and Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves.

A special hug and thanks to Louise Mitchell of SVG for supporting us on a very emotional day in court. God bless!

To the ENTIRE cruising community!!

Our family and friends from St Croix and beyond.

And the BIGGEST hugs and love to our dearest Eric and Lynne from S/V Amarula; Simon, Meredith and Jade from S/V Karisma; and Vassil and Inga from S/V Olgalou; for being there from the beginning to the end and forever.

Mom, thank you, for coming to Grenada and showing us all the love and support that Moms are known for.

We are sailing forward and loving life.

Mark and Tina

S/V Rainbow

St Croix, US Virgin Islands

PS. Thank you, Sally at Caribbean Compass, for sharing your office, Internet and friendship.

Editor’s note: This letter was submitted to Caribbean Compass for publication and is republished here with the permission of Caribbean Compass.