In Barbados waters, fishermen faced a major dilemma after Hurricane Beryl passed through the southeast Caribbean. Damage to boats at Bridgetown Marina was extensive, with some vessels even sinking beneath the crashing waves.
The testimonies of fishermen testify to the devastating power of this storm never seen before. Everton Brathwaite, a local fisherman, expressed his shock at Beryl’s violence: “I have never experienced a system of this magnitude. No one wants to go through such an ordeal.”
The island of Barbados suffered the devastating effects of Hurricane Beryl which hit it as a powerful Category 4 storm, with winds exceeding 130 mph (209 kilometers per hour), causing extensive property damage. Dave Hinds, managing director of Hinds Transport, highlighted the slow pace of clean-up and repair operations, due to the large number of damaged boats and those that sank near the intervention areas.
Beryl broke several records, demonstrating early rapid intensification into a major hurricane, highlighting warm ocean conditions in the Atlantic and Caribbean and heralding a concerning hurricane season.
The fishing sector in Barbados plays a crucial role in the local economy, providing income and employment opportunities for many locals. The impact of Hurricane Beryl highlights the vulnerability of this sector to natural disasters and underlines the importance of prevention and preparedness measures to deal with extreme weather conditions.
Barbados’ fishing community will need to come together to recover from the damage caused by Beryl and to rebuild a maritime fleet resilient to future storms. Solidarity and resilience will be the keys to overcoming this ordeal and preparing for a more serene future for the fishing industry in Barbados waters.