Stranded passengers brought home

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Parent Category: Sept 2011

Category: Week ending Sept 30th, 2011

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A government effort, involving long hours of negotiations and thousands of dollars in costs, has resulted in the safe return to Grenada of more than 35 passengers, including children, who went adrift off the Venezuelan coast.

 The MV Amelia A, which was travelling on September 15 from Trinidad to Grenada, experienced engine failure and went off its intended route.

 The vessel was tracked through a joint undertaking of Grenadian, Trinidadian and Venezuelan coast guard officers.

 All passengers, including a handful of non-nationals, were eventually flown back to Grenada from Venezuela on Saturday on board a chartered Conviasa airline.

 The passengers expressed appreciation for the assistance given to them during their ordeal, including help from the Grenada Government.

 Benedict Phillip was among the thankful passengers excited to be back on Grenadian soil.

 “When we realised we were adrift we thought we would have been rescued sooner,’’ he said. “However, we met hospitable people on an island off Venezuela and I want to express my thanks to both the Governments of Grenada and Venezuela. We just couldn’t desire better.’’

 The stranded passengers reported how worried they were on not being able to contact family members in Grenada. But, they kept their hopes high through prayer services.

 “At first we couldn’t get phone calls to our families and we were worried,’’ one female passenger said. “I was scared; we were between nowhere. We turned left, we saw water; we turn right, we saw water. It was only water and clouds and that was scary. But, people came together and consoled one other, and they advised us not to panic.’’ 

 Christine Bartholomew, who was accompanied on the vessel by her 11-year-old granddaughter, described it as a most “nerve-wracking experience’’ that has changed her life. She said she and her fellow passengers had faith in God.

 Bartholomew, a resident of St. Mark, added that she was more worried about her family back home than about herself.

 The passengers were met at Maurice Bishop International Airport in St. George’s by family and friends, as well as representatives of the Grenadian and Venezuelan Governments such as Senator Denneth Modeste, Grenada’s Minister of State for the Environment, Foreign Trade and Export Development.

 Resident Venezuela’s Ambassador to Grenada, Carlos Amador Perez Silva was also on hand to welcome back home the stranded passengers.

 Sen. Modeste praised the then Acting Prime Minister, Patrick Simmons, for his commitment in getting the passengers back to Grenada.

 “I wish to thank the Acting Prime Minister for the manner in which he handled this issue. We are pleased with the way things worked out,’’ said Sen. Modeste. “This is an indication of the growing relations between Grenada and Venezuela.’’

 The Venezuelan Ambassador said he was pleased to see the passengers back home.

 “I believe the happy conclusion is evidence of the good relations between Grenada and Venezuela, in that we can work very close in situations like this. We try to do our best in circumstances as those,’’ he remarked.

 Ambassador Perez said he was also delighted in the accommodation afforded the passengers by the Venezuelan authorities, “and the way they have taken care of you during your stay there.’’

 The MV Amelia A was towed into Port St. George on Monday.

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