Picton Castle has spent a lot of time sailing the Caribbean in the past 20 years. We tend to stick to the Windward and Leeward Isles of the Eastern Caribbean and have visited our favourite islands many times. The trade winds are sweet, anchorages are mostly quite good, the islands are beautiful and the people are warm, friendly and welcoming.
The recent hurricanes in the Caribbean have hit our friends hard. We’ve either been in touch or are waiting to hear news from friends in Anguilla, Antigua, Dominica, St. Maarten, and the British Virgin Islands. Many have had homes and businesses destroyed, but thankfully those we’ve heard from and their loved ones are still alive, uninjured and ready to rebuild.
We want to help rebuild. Over the past few weeks, as we’ve seen photos and videos of the devastation, we have been talking about how to help. Picton Castle has a big cargo hold and additional room in the main salon and on deck to carry more than a hundred tons. We could carry a load of supplies. We would want to go to an island we know, to help people we know, in a place where the need is greatest and other help is not on its way.
Although a port visit in the Caribbean is not scheduled for the first leg of the upcoming world circumnavigation voyage starting in March 2018, we have been talking about adding a stop to the itinerary in order to bring supplies. We would have to know where we would go and what they need most there, then either raise funds or goods on our own or partner with another organization to get the supplies to bring with us.
We have been asked whether we would go now, immediately, to carry a load of supplies. We think we could find professional crew who would volunteer their time for a mission like this, and there is the possibility that we could organize a drive locally for supplies. However, it still costs money to operate the ship and unless those costs are covered, we aren’t able to do it. Even with donated time and supplies for the islands, the ship’s costs of fuel, insurance, food and materials to maintain the ship are very real costs that Picton Castle simply can’t absorb.
Rebuilding after these hurricanes, after everything has been flattened, is going to be a long process. Building supplies and other items will still be required months and years down the road. As we figure out how and when best to assist, we’ll keep you posted. In the meanwhile, any comments, suggestions and input you have are welcome.
For what it’s worth, our hearts and minds are with those who have been affected by these hurricanes. Hopefully we’ll be able to provide some on-the-ground help within the next year.
Picton Castle at anchor stern-to in Dominica