Fishermen relieved after scary encounter with Hurricane Beryl

The recent rescue of nine fishermen marooned on Morant Cays after Hurricane Beryl passed by the eastern section of Jamaica has brought a mixture of relief and deep reflections for both the men and their families.

The fishermen left for sea on June 29, and were expected to return on July 2, the day before the hurricane was expected to impact the island the most. But things did not go as planned, according to Romario Gooden, one of the captains of the three vessels that ventured out.

"We left on Saturday, and then when the hurricane came, we couldn't leave. We had to stay because if we left, that would be a higher chance of dying," he said. The fishermen were unaware of the hurricane warning until it was too late.

"Coast Guard came up there on Sunday, but we were already at sea catching fish pon net," Gooden explained. "Mi did think say mi ago dead. God believe me. I knew deep down I wasn't going to die, but it was traumatising." He said that the thought of his family kept him going.

"I only have a son [and] him nuh reach one yet. Nobody nah go take care of him the way I would. Plus mi nuh get my daughter yet. I couldn't just give up," he said.

"My mother told me that she already knew that we would come back home safely by the grace of God," he said. The symbolic names of their boats Prayer Warrior 1, Prayer Warrior 2, and Blessing is a reflection of the men's faith. The fishermen, who were rescued late last week, recounted their harrowing experience. Gooden, who has been a fisherman for nearly five years, described the moment they realised they were trapped by the hurricane. The men sought refuge among the mangroves at Morant Cays, which is an island group about 51 kilometres south-southeast off Morant Point. The men safeguarded their boats while riding out the storm.

"Even when the storm passed, we still go back and see if we catch fish," Gooden said. However, the sea conditions were not ideal for them to make the trip all the way home. Family members, meanwhile, endured a torturous wait.

"My babymother cursed and cried, and I just had to understand because of the fear she feel fi know say something bad might happen at sea," Gooden shared. "But my mother say she know we would be alright because we know how to navigate the sea long time."

Gooden said when members of the Jamaica Defence Force finally found them 25 miles offshore, the men were already in a relatively stable condition. Gooden chuckled as he recalled, "It was full high rev fi come a wi yaad."

Their humour remained intact despite the trauma. One first-time fisherman, gripped by fear, had cried out, "You tek me from Jamaica and carry me come out yah so mi want go home." In an attempt to lighten the mood, another fisherman quipped about making sure their bellies were full even if they faced dire outcomes.

The return to their routine has been swift. During a visit to Cow Bay in St Thomas, THE STAR team observed the fishermen reeling in their nets and preparing to head out again.