Hurricane Beryl: Carnage in the Carriacou mangroves | Ep119

[@MrBertHeylen]

I had already seen a few videos of this disaster, but this one was about the boat people. And your skills to make a movie comes in very handy here. No sensationalism like some storm chasers. But with feeling. I made a small donation. Super work. Thank you Judy and Steve.

[@svfairisle]

Thanks for the donation, every little helps!

[@davedavids9619]

This may sound very harsh and rude, but it is not meant to be that way. I lived in the Caribbean for almost 30 years, was a SAR pilot and flew many hurricane relief flights during that time. As a tip to all sailors, if people claim there is a safe place during a hurricane and it does not include getting out of the way..........forget it. There is no safe place during a hurricane, hurricane holes do not exist, so don't even try. If you hear a hurricane is coming your way.....get out of the way. Take your boat and go South, as far as you can. Trinidad was only 200 km or 110 nm away from carriacou island. That is a distance you can do in less than 24 hours. The worst thing that can happen is that you are still caught in a hurricane, so nothing lost by moving South. The absolute worst thing you can do is trying to be smart and think you can tie up your boat to ride it through a hurricane. There are a few safe islands, where you are outside the hurricane belt, those islands are Avis islands, Bonaire, Curacao and Aruba, you will be 100 % safe there. In other words, when hurricane season starts, move your boat in that direction and you will be out of danger. Might be uncomfortable, the seas can be rough, but you will survive. Good luck everyone this season.

[@aztekjp]

*

[@obsidianjane4413]

A lot of the damage is caused by three factors: 1) Abandoned or seasonal boats that are just left on mooring or on the hard by owners who are "Snow birds", Americans or Canadians who only use their boats on vacation. 2) Boats in charter service for the above. 3) Low income/poor liveaboards who can't leave or go anywhere else for lots of reasons. #3 is of course the most tragic and heartbreaking.

[@julla1416]

@@davedavids9619 very interesting.

[@davedavids9619]

@@obsidianjane4413 still, all the boats that could have moved, also the low income owners, should have sailed to the South. The wind basically always comes from the East, with 20 - 25 kts, so 5 to 6 kts per hour was feasible. They could have made it to safety, but they chose not to move. During my time as a SAR pilot in that area I often wondered what made people decide not to move to safety. And after talking to many people the answer was always the same: 'they underestimated the power of a hurricane' ! A hurricane is not a 40 or 50 kt wind, not even a 60 kt wind. A hurricane is often 100 - 150 kts of wind for many many hours. In short, if your boat can move.........MOVE.

[@obsidianjane4413]

@@davedavids9619 Easy for you to "shouda coulda"...

[@Coleen-Love]

Hey, I just learned that you won an award for this video! -- WOW!! -- We are sitting down in front of the large screen TV with popcorn and are excited to see what you have got for us!

[@svfairisle]

It’s a sad story, but one that needed to be told. There’s a follow up video to so you can catch up with how the people caught in the storm got on.

[@Coleen-Love]

@@svfairisle ...for sure... Not a popcorn watching event.

[@kamilkachnic7360]

The best hurricane Beryl coverege on YT, much better than all CNN`s iteration.

[@kendrickhogan5385]

I suppose it shouldn't be surprising, given Judy's and Steve's career backgrounds, but this was breathtakingly well done.

[@svfairisle]

So kind thank you

[@kodiak7]

It is. But I don’t think docos should use music to manipulate my emotions. Let the images and sound do the work.

[@FlyBrent]

@@kodiak7where can we see your work?

[@SuperDiagnostic]

Who are Judy and Steve. 💁

[@Gottie1959]

Wow huge damage done by the Hurricane, we here in Cape Town South Africa also went through a huge storm which lasted for a week, huge damage done, but we are getting there, I hope that the damage done during the Hurricane will soon be solved, and thank you for sharing the huge heartsore, thank you for you and everyone else contributing relieve, love you guys

[@ProfessorAV]

These poor people, both on land and on their boats. Completely terrifying and I especially appreciated the guy who was able to record himself during the storm. Compelling and heartbreaking.

[@svfairisle]

Yes Jason did very well

[@jase4270]

It's material stuff at least you are alive some aren't so lucky.

[@thomasbrasse3145]

So uplifting to see Spirited Lady re-floated. What a beautiful vessel! Great reporting here. Already donated.

[@DanielleEvans-x1r]

Thank you for this video. I sailed with Susie on Spirited lady in 2014 . She is an incredible woman and sailor and was gutted to hear that the boat had sank . What a huge relief to see her back floating. Thank you xxx

[@jeffreyoconnor6994]

Thanks for trying to help, and showing the devastation. I don't know how the locals can deal with this every season . The Western Caribbean Islands are like pins in a bowling alley every year. The devastation in 2017 season is still evident in some areas . Here's hoping for a decent recovery for locals and yachties alike.

[@michaelwake5600]

Thank you both for taking the time and patience to share these stories.

[@KayLee19676]

I love that you show the human side of it. This is real journalism. Well done. Donated.

[@irisblume1132]

After my tears tears dried, I have only one thing to say. When we first sailed south, past Mexico, we always promised not to be in a hurricane area during cyclone season. We did that one year in Mexico. I worried the whole time. We got lucky, but also learned a very valuable lesson. Our hearts go out to everyone!!!

[@tomriley5790]

Only Judy and Steve could have done this video quite so well! Brilliant episode! Pretty surprised that the aid effort wasn't willing to distribute water to the people who were there... interesting!

[@DeniseTerrell-oy5tm]

Just wow! I have not seen anything like this. What kind people to help float these boats again! 💕

[@judyaslett6209]

They are a lovely group of people helping!

[@dennismalcolm6620]

GREAT JOB GUYS..WHAT A DEVASTATION !!!..😢..THANKS FOR TAKING THE TIME TO HELP AND SHARE ....

[@grantcormack9683]

You can still hear the trauma in their voices. As others have said your video was a great chronicle of the hurricane & the people involved.

[@BlackheartCharlie]

Live aboard sailor of 20 years here. I literally have tears running down my face. Thank you for this video. Thank you for being part of the family of citizens of our Ocean family and helping out. The damage is devastating, but the love of fellow cruisers is always humbling and reassuring. Many Blessings on you both.

[@svfairisle]

A true cruisers response, thank you.

[@TurnOffYourTV]

Sensational Filmmaking. Pray for all involved. I positioned deep in the Mang for Ian, wasn't enough. FMB 🇺🇲

[@wildaltarose]

Thank you for a more realistic video of how the boaters made out. You helped as much as you could and I am sure the people you met appreciated that.

[@richardclarke8585]

All Kudos to you both for getting there and lending a hand , its not just physical im sure you presence was appreciated 🙏

[@roadboat9216]

Wow. I went into this lagoon a number of yrs ago. We had a more minor storm coming so went in. It was fine for the minor blow that we had. The holing is poor with ooozy muck. Trouble getting anchors to really set well. THERE ARE NO GOOD HURRICANE HOLES. You MUST get out of the way!! Trinidad is the place. We sailed there every hurricane season. Listened to the devastation up island on SSB and Ham radio a number to times. At the first inkling of a hurricane GET OUT. Always have your boat ready to get underway in a few hrs notice. Or better yet, just go to Trinidad by July. We loved it there anyway. Wow, so sorry. NO Grenada is not a good place to be for hurricane season. Don’’t know where this idea came from. It only takes one. Great job of documenting this. Thanks.

[@SirAdamMeek]

Thank you for sharing Lou's story! And for assisting in the aftermath!

[@alisonsykora]

Hands down, in my top 5 islands. I love Carriacou and it’s beautiful people. Thank you for going to help and for reporting on the situation there.

[@Rittlesleo]

Thankfully it looks like the weather isn’t conducive for hurricane development so progress can be made towards getting people back on their feet. Thank you for showing us the situation there. Take care.

[@hafenkinoblog]

Thank you so much for taking us with you. Thanks for helping the other sailors! 😀👍

[@dunk856]

Possessions can be replaced, boats repaired but people are far more precious, hoping you are both well. Stay safe

[@John_Smith__]

Thank you once again for this amazing episode. Sadly it broke my heart looking at all those boats affected by the hurricane. Amazing scenes to be looking at no doubt but heart breaking. Thanks for sharing.

[@carltontweedle5724]

Thanks for showing the real story of life on the waves. Not all blue lagoons and bikinis. I was a Merchant seaman been on all sorts of ships, been thrown in the air out my bunk a few times. Been in some very bad weather but wind at a 100 knots never.

[@sailingforeverautumn]

Absolutely devastating as just like those on land, some of the cruisers lost their homes too. I don't even know where I would start. Thanks for bringing that to us, it's hard to comprehend what happens in hurricanes without seeing it.

[@svtiggerr]

Great video, your interview with Lou helped me a lot, my boat is next to her and you gave me a good opportunity to assess her a little more Neika

[@26N80W]

So happy to see Spirited Lady floating again. What a wonderful owner.

[@TT-tn1dp]

Many thanks for capturing and allowing their own story to be told … very well done!

[@jamesthomas7928]

Thanks for doing this film. I am in Grenada too but escaped the worst of it in Hog Island Bay, but I know of many sailors in Carricou who lost their boats. The other islands which weren't mentioned such as Mareau got wiped clean so help is desperately needed. Financial if possible and physical if you can get here with tools and skills.

[@karaDee2363]

Is so great to see people coming together to help each other out. . And thank you for making a video about it

[@anthonylander4606]

There has been so little mainstream media reporting of the devastation on Carriacou. The focus of most early reporting was on what might happen in the USA and Mexico. This work by Judy and Steve fills a gap. I am amzaed at how few people in the UK who know the Grenadines and have lived, worked, had holidays or studied there knew anything about Beryl. I was suprised that some in the UK thought it might be adventous and fun to witness such an event. This kind of reporting corrects that misconception.

[@sailingwiththejamess]

So sad to see all the carnage of the boats. We got hit with a Cat 3 cyclone the beginning of this year, the eye went right over us. Very eerie in the eye with the calm and stillness. Quite a few boats ended up on the shore or rocks or smashed apart with TC Kirrily, the positive thing was the amazing community in the aftermath and everyone helping each other. Our thoughts are with everyone affected

[@joelambing2430]

Thank you for the nice reporting. The personal stories are very touching. You're the best!

[@annic5826]

Thank you both for raising awareness. Been following you guys for a while and thank you for all the time an effort to share with us all. Donnation made hope all the bits help. Andy

[@heronemosheppard8877]

You guts are Lovely. Hearts of gold. Blessings & gratitude to you.

[@janiemcvicker739]

The film is beyond amazing!! Your kind hearts shining brightly your kindness will be rewarded. We feel very grateful, our old girl Onward was hauled out in Grenada Marine during the storm. Stay Safe. One love Autie and Janie McVicker S/V Onward

[@keonesilva3646]

Wow. 😮😢😢. Most of the boats were quality built and survived but I would not have wanted to be aboard. Great video. Watched from Hawaii. ❤

[@StinePedersen-y3o]

Lou and Anthony! You don’t know how many times I did think of you guys, while the hurricane was there and after, when I saw the pictures was your boat one of the boats I was looking for! I was the girl right next to your boat, but I left Saturday eve, sad that I didn’t took you with me!!!!!!!!.…… I’m so so glad to see that you guys are alive and stayed together while the hurricane was there. Super good decision to stay on Anthony’s boat! It’s not going to help you much, but I wish you the best of luck! And I really hope I’ll see you again one day. You guys are so strong and brave!

[@StefSea]

Great video! Thank you for telling their stories. As someone who had their life disrupted by a major hurricane and then became a cruiser I can resonate with what they are going through. We are all much stronger and resilient than we think.

[@svfairisle]

Yes the human spirit is amazing

[@AndreiFedorov]

Great film! Thank you. I have reposted it to my FB.

[@SailingHollyBlue]

That was emotional to watch…for so many reasons…well done guys for raising awareness and with such professionalism ⚓️❤️

[@svfairisle]

Thanks Laura

[@FREEDOM195844]

This video brings tears to my eyes but it’s incredible to watch everyone pitching in and helping.

[@JokerXL]

Steve had the forethought to move out of Beryl’s way, well ahead of time. I’m surprised so many others didn’t.

[@WhyWorry1]

Thank you for this. So heartbreaking, and also nice to see that people are getting help

[@janicehagar6876]

Thank you for this, good information on the cruising community has been hard to find. So glad to see that Susie's boat is up!

[@sailing.everyday]

Thanks for sharing these stories 🙏⛵️ breaks my heart / can’t even imagine being in that position with our home. Will help spread the good word!

[@kristybatista2415]

God bless you both for going to give aid, and for the video so others can see just how bad it was for those poor people on the boats and the island. Just heartbreaking.

[@jeffmooreD40]

Thank you Steve and Judy. Day after Beryl, I donated to Direct Relief for the island, now directing to Operation Cruiser Aid. Thank you for going to Carriacou and sharing the cruiser story.

[@judyaslett6209]

Thank you

[@sebastianvandenpauwert4794]

Extremely well done episode and absolutely heartbreaking from the beginning to the end.

[@sailingxtremeadventures542]

That was tough to watch, I lost my boat in Irma 2017 in Sint Maarten, at the time you feel totally lost but with hope you do come through it and the bad memories fade. Not only is it a financial thing, will the insurance company cover the loss or not, it's emotional especially when it's your home. Thanks for the video.

[@svfairisle]

Yes there are many people still in shock there

[@robertpenman4963]

Amazing coverage ,the most concise I've seen ,very sympatheticly produced and really brought home the sadness and desperation of the whole business

[@rdholmes2007]

Well done for bringing this disaster to so many people’s attention and with your usual professional production skills. 🙏

[@Alex000113]

A worst case scenario that came true. Truly a nightmare. Smart move to sail south Steve. The BVI got walloped a few years back, most tourist spots got flattened. The local businesses pivoted to support insurance claims and boat recovery. Took a couple of years before it was recognizable. A horrible natural cycle for this area. Prayers for the safety and recovery of the cruisers and local communities.

[@johnmajewski1065]

Truly terrifying experience for all concerned. Thanks for bring the story to us sailors there are many lessons learned from your documentary reported on the shoulders and at the cost to unfortunate boat owners, who lives have changed forever. It seems from your report the group of boats moored close together, these boats in themselves created the most damage because they rammed into each other by the hurricane winds. Very Very sad state of affairs. Good video reporting and in depth coverage. I learned a lot because of your efforts. Many Thanks SV Skoiern IV.

[@albertstahl3474]

Bravo for your assistance and reporting of this unfortunate event !!!

[@fgansell]

So good in so many ways, thank you foe showing us who are so far away. Very professional.

[@AdventuresofanoldSeadog]

Wow, nice coverage of a nasty situation. Great video.

[@svfairisle]

Thanks Barry

[@amandad7121]

Thank you for raising awareness and helping.

[@cb750k1974]

Great piece of journalism......I was really captured by this video, the stories, the interviews, of course the video......ya'll did a great job. Kudos to you for your efforts.

[@philbarron1148]

Thank you for raising awareness. Great video and editing.

[@grantaylward7385]

Great video showing the reality of what happened. Sailed in a hurricane in the atlantic and its a scary experience enduring the forces of nature. Nice of ypu guys to try and do some good

[@AfricanFlightStar]

It's so good to see a calm, very professional narrative and video footage of what happened in Carriacou, versus the deliberate hype on many other channels who are (sadly) lowering their principles to "get those views". So thank you for bringing us this insight into the harsh realities of how this disaster affected those cruisers who where there. The scenes you showed us in this video, reminded me of what I saw in St Thomas, USVI, in January 2018, just four months after both Maria and Irma had wiped out that island, along with St Croix and many other islands. I was there for a part time flying contract for that year, flying between St Thomas and St Croix, and from the air flying every day, I saw so many sunken boats everywhere, literally hundreds of them, it was shocking. Months later, the non-salvageable boats were stripped of all useful materials and taken by barge to central locations where they were smashed up using giant excavators, and dumped into landfills. As a sailboat lover, it was a very sorry sight to see. And that was just the boats; every building and every vehicle on land, was damaged and beaten up. Almost every car looked as if it had been beaten up with giant baseball bats on every side. The destruction has to be seen first hand, in order to be fully understood. I donated to RISE Grenada last Sunday, during their all-day 'web-a-thon', which was a fantastic event, but I imagine those funds are not for the cruisers either. Will make a donation to Operation Cruisers Aid in the hope that it will reach those boat owners who had their lives ripped apart by Beryl. The encouraging part is that Caribbean islanders have a way of recovering, and they will come back. But it will take a few years, along with lots of support, and your frank videos will help garner that support. Blessings to you both 🙏🏻

[@svfairisle]

Thank you for your insightful comments and information on what you have seen in hurricane zones. Everyone suffers when a hurricane hits, both inland and sea, and Operation Cruisers Aid are still working on getting boats out. You are right that Rise Grenada is just raising funds for local businesses inland, not boats. The beach bar we showed in the film wants to get up and running and ready to re-open. Meanwhile, the cruisers have slipped thought the funding gap, as we found. Those boats that have come out so far are moving down to Grenada or Trinidad to be fixed (mostly). That is where we are now. Thank you so much for your support.

[@Alleycatthegadite]

This is exactly why I always put out to sea before a hurricane. The most dangerous place for a boat is close to land, they are safest at sea.

[@andyroach420]

Bless you for getting family heirlooms. Family is important.

[@loubyrne192]

Help is coming, a salvage company from the BVI arrives tonight to help. We went through Irma and Maria so these guys know what to do. Be strong, you will get through this 🙏🏼 One Love ❤

[@Gladtobeleaving]

These are amazing pictures. Thank you.

[@simonhantler8062]

a brilliant doco, can tell its your past experience that makes it in depth.

[@geoffmccoll4640]

When the tough gets going, the tough gets going. Well done for helping from Australia NSW 2371

[@26N80W]

Having a gas generator running on the bow with hatches sucking the exhaust below is really unsafe unless I'm missing something. Big thanks for helping people that really need it!

[@Nedankinde93]

Your BBC editing skills really shine through!

[@phucknuts.7065]

Did they work for the BBC?

[@svfairisle]

Thank you. I do hope this results in help for the people in the film! Their boats are stuck. Many have lost their homes

[@DavidSmith-tu6jd]

Really? This news is 2 weeks old. These two showing how the BBC regulates the news.

[@svfairisle]

@@DavidSmith-tu6jd This is happening right now. We filmed the whole thing in the last few days. These guys have been stuck in the mangroves now for more than 2 weeks and no one is helping them. That is the story!

[@David-qs5ii]

​@@DavidSmith-tu6jd Idiot

[@seanmolony-redstickastro238]

Thanks for the video. I live outside New Orleans and was here for Katrina and several more since then , so I know the feeling of being at a loss. It will get better with time. You find out what people are made of during these times. Peace and Prayers.

[@svfairisle]

You certainly do. And we have many some really kind people

[@moesailing6008]

Your journalism background really shone through on your coverage of this very unfortunate situation.

[@debbiemccrossan3809]

Very informative thank you. My heart goes out to all those who have lost by their boats/homes. ❤

[@knotnauti]

Gosh what a terrifying experience. Good on you for getting stuck in and helping. Thank you for making this video and bringing to light the not so fun side of cruising.

[@GenXPats]

Absolutely heartwrenching. Thank you for this beautifully filmed and tastefully edited video.

[@bamabldr66]

Absolutely amazing Human Beings ❤️ ♥️ ❤! God Bless and I hope things are somewhat better... -Cliff Fairhope, Alabama

[@music-man]

im just lost for words utter devastaion. That was so nice that someone gave there boat to Lou and anthony boat is ok. Hurricanes are just going to get stronger its just a fact and people are either going to believe it or not as the oceans get warmer. Thanks for sharing. wow glad susans boat was ok thats a beautiful yacht one i have loved for many years just like your hans christian. cheers from the brit in la stay safe x

[@Glyn69]

Well done, you two great help for the less fortunate

[@TRSF1RACING]

Great narrating guys brilliant stuff

[@danielhylton4675]

I lived in Key West, Florida for over 25 yrs through many. I lived what hurricanes can do. Not on a boat but. Prayers for those afflicted by mother natures wrath 🙏🙏🙏

[@Julian0886]

I’m from Europe and visited Key West once in my life. What a beautiful place, I wonder how 25y in such paradise looked like. I was surprised to see many houses with protection on the windows. Now I understand why.

[@danknox9986]

Thank you for sharing.

[@Concerned97]

It's the first video I have seen that focuses on the boats. I am deeply saddened about this catastrophe

[@locksnkeys]

Heart-rending! Oh so sad - thank you for helping.

[@karenbrubaker5657]

Thank you for going to help.

[@jamesgood6065]

I respect what you do. Thank you.

[@davescott1491]

Extremely well covered.

[@priscillachapman9145]

Are a lot of these boats homes for the owners. You did say many are homes. Your Video of this was excellent. Talking at length to a couple that went through this disaster brought it close and real .

[@svfairisle]

Yes the majority of the boats there were peoples homes. A lot of people seem to sail to these parts and end up staying a long time. Some rarely sail now which is why they didn’t feel ready to set sail South to avoid the storm and stayed thinking it would just get a bit windy as the track was further North. Had they known they were going to get a direct hit everyone would have found a say to leave!

[@evanemerson]

Our hearts go out to all of you so devastated.

[@jimmarshall5453]

It is heartbreaking and heart warming at the same time.

[@joyjacoby6751]

Thanks for your updates!

[@Kac210]

Right here now with the team, and it still have lots of work to be done. Its still very difficult.

[@SunsetSpecter]

Having gone though Ian on FMB with a S2 9.8c, this is all sadly too familiure. My heart goes out to everyone.

[@elizabethroberts4425]

Thank you I appreciate you

[@andyroach420]

Thank you for showing this video.

[@lisat972]

Thank you! Excellent video