Dear Compass:
A recent article was published in the Grenadian press regarding the boats being trapped at Tyrell Bay Marina.
A spokesperson for the landowners claimed that the family representative who came to see us during the construction of the fence had previously informed us that we could relaunch our boats before access was closed, and that we had refused to do so. He also claims that some of us were condescending and were supposedly surprised to learn that Black people could own land.
All of this is completely false.
We were there, and we received absolutely no prior notice. If such information had been communicated to us, there should obviously be some evidence of it.
The only interactions we had with a representative of this family took place while the fence was already being constructed. The dates prove this, as they correspond to the period during which the work was underway.
She came to see us accompanied by a man in his fifties. She reassured us and explained that they were going to arrange a new entrance, with a security post, as well as lifting equipment that would allow our boats to be relaunched. She exchanged telephone contact details with some of us.
Would she really have done that if we had behaved toward her in a condescending or disrespectful manner?
After she left, she completely disappeared, and we received no further communication from her over the following 48 hours.
These lies are extremely serious, as they imply that we behaved in a racist and superior manner while, at the same time, attempting to absolve those responsible for the fact that our boats are effectively trapped behind this fence.
Furthermore, we are now seeing xenophobic comments appearing under some publications shared by the media and on social media.
Yet many of us still remember the incredible mobilisation of the cruising community to help Carriacou and the surrounding islands after Hurricane Beryl. It is deeply sad to see such a reversal of the situation.
We came to Carriacou as cruisers to work on our boats, contribute to the local economy, and be part of the community. We did not come here to take anyone’s land, tell anyone what to do, or disrespect anyone.
We simply want the truth to be known.
Since then, two new articles have been published in the same newspaper, The New Today, explaining the situation as it unfolded and as it stands today.
Our position remains the same: we want and ask for nothing more than to relaunch our boats and regain our freedom, and we continue to reiterate our requests to this family to that effect.
We repeat it here once again: we must not be associated with the marina or with the ongoing civil case.
Keeping our boats trapped brings nothing positive to anyone; it is simply absurd.
For the time being, we still have not received any response whatsoever.
Jérémy Sauvage
Catamaran Mister Tong
