The huckster trade between Dominica and neighbouring islands received a severe blow on Monday after its flagship vessels sunk near the French islands.
No lives were lost in the sinking of the MV Elite but according to President of the Dominica Hucksters Association, Cecil Joseph, none of the agricultural produce on board could be salvaged.
“It means that this deals quite a bit of blow to the trade until we can get a replacement vessel,” he said. “The MV Elite was the largest of the vessels doing the inter island route and it is certainly quite a bit of loss for the trade and for the owners at this time.”
According to Joseph, prior to the sinking, the Elite developed engine problems off Guadeloupe and it started drifting. “It went on a rock, it got a hole and as a result of that the boat sank,” he explained. “We understand no lives were lost but all the agricultural produce which was on board, this went down in the sea.”
He did not place a monetary value on the lost produce.
One family member told DNO that the boat, acptained by Anthony Ryan, left Dominica on the evening of Monday March 25′ for its regular trip with cargo and crew.
Information received by DNO indicates that Dominica coast guard was contacted but because the boat was already in Guadeloupean waters, the crew was asked to contact with maritime officials in Guadeloupe for assistance.
According to reports, all efforts were made to assist the vessel but with rough seas and a large amount of cargo on board, the boat had already sunk by the time help arrived.
Police in Dominica have said that all five persons on board the vessel are alive; they are now in Guadeloupe and expected to be back in Dominica on March 27.
How the heck did a ship hit a Rock in the middle of the ocean or did it hit a rock on shore .. DNO I didn’t get it
Do I understand that correctly? There is only one little banana boat out of Roseau trading DA products to our neighbour islands ( which pay in hard EURO)??
Agricultural products fall off the trees to rot all over DA, our farmers need 20 boats like ELITE, not just one!
As far as I know, engines usually fail due to the lack of maintenance, boats should also have proper anchor gear and emergency radio in place etc, in order to avoid stranding or total loss.
next point: Neither does DA have training facilities for sailors in place, none for service personnel on cruise ships, and nothing for engineers/sailors on cargo boats. THIS would be an opportunity to create qualified workers / jobs for de youth right? But a state palace or a river promenade is being put in place, for them big ones to bling bling, without any substance, as usual… and it so obvious for us to see….for those who want to see….
gimme a break
You said it all.
thank god everything it okay with the ppl and the comment the drugs part that is really true if it was drugs they would find there way guadeloupe already
see Caribbean Compass October 2012:
http://www.caribbeancompass.com/online/october12compass_online.pdf
page 5: MV Love Divine runs aground at Bequia, SVG.
y didnt the Dominica Coasy guard contacted the french authorities for them since they would more readily respond? its sad since the crew and produce was a way of life for our economy.had help come earlier something could have been done
typical Dominica coast guard, never available when HUMAN lives are in danger but once they see the little boats on the water with what they believe to be marijuana or cocaine they ready to go on the beach in Guadeloupe to detain the individuals and the drugs.
stop be an idiot… the boat was in french waters… so it has nothing to do wit dominica coast guards
So sorry. Rayan be of good courage. A few months ago it was Grace Olive. The sea is taking away all the people labour. What can we do but pray..
no sense tyo me the dominica coast guard could not assist,dont they have an agreement with the french,am sure this vessel has been around for years with no work ever being done on it.
before you make comment check first that ship is well being taken care of and docks every year it has engines and they give up just like a car or even human being ok so elite is a well maintain boat and the captain make sure of that
THANK GOD EVERYONE IS ALIVE AND SAFE
Very sorry to hear of the loss of the “Elite”. I have known the vessel since the early 1980’s when she traded out of Tortola.
I also remember her predecessor, the “Maude L”. She was an old wooden boat and I was anchored alongside her when she ended her days by sinking quietly at her moorings at Hodges Creek, Tortola.
God keeps punishing Domininica for the DLP
That is why people like you will always pay for your tongue.You sounding so much like an idiot.
really…. at a point in time like this u bring politics into this… smh at some of us dominicans…
When last you worshipped God and prayed to him, not only for yourself and your needs but for your country and nationals?
why all these senceless comment what does dlp have to do with this would you say dlp have to do with a car crash? when you on water these thing can happen,
I am sorry to hear of the sad news of your boat, produce and monetary loss. Thank God no one was injured or lives lost. I hope in time you will have a new boat replacement.
My further thoughts and comment. Is it possible to listen to and know about the weather forecast for high winds over the sea prior to sailing? Dominica and Guadeloupe may not have such a meteorological system. It would be a good idea if they did. Then you would not have set out at that time, knowing what was ahead. This could have prevented such a loss.
I am saddened to hear the news. Firt let us thank the Almiglty Father through for the lives that were saved. As a former General Office Clerk I still feel like family to my fellow hucksters… Natural/goods haved perished but humans lives more important……. Give thanks in everything……..
The loss of the Elite is indeed a hard blow to both hucksters and Farmers of Dominica. It is indeed a hard blow for many in guadeloupe both Frenhy and Dominican nationals dpend on the produce the Elite brings every week in order to run their businesses and house holds. Give thanks all five souls onboard were saved, Ryan, well experienced captain, sorry for your koss. You have been through a lot in your time at sea, I have no doubt you’ll float rught back to the surface….Press on, don’t give up.
THANK GOD NO LIVES WERE LOST.
Very sad indeed. Hope that the Good Father will do something for all those affected and We thank you Lord for no lives being lost.
Oh dear when those wholesalers doh have onion ,garlic and potatoe is the hucksters that use to save my little chadel mowee shop God please send a replacement soon
wow!! This is sad indeed. Thank God that lives were saved. There is need for a quick replacement to this sea transport. Never mind, God is in control and will not let us down.
I am so sorry to hear that about my little mv elite hope rion can get another one as soon as possible and also happy no one loss there lifes
I dont really understand why the ship did not call one of the tugs we have with barges loading aggregates. Two tugs were present today in our waters, one in Canefield, one in Colihaut. Elite could have probably been salvaged before she hit the rocks.
Thank you Lord for all the lives saved.
What one would understand by “five persons were on board the vessel when it went down” Simple english would indicate that the people went down with the vessel. Nonetheless, I’m glad that no lives were lost
I had a similar incident in Venezuela waters in 2006 on our way to Surinam and were rescued by a Guyanese boat and brought us to Trinidad
My prayers and heart goes out to all the hard-working huckster and others who have suffered loss due to this ship sinking. We are happy to hear no lives were lost during this incident. All the best to all and I hope they get back on their feet soon.
to god b the glory
poor ryan may god give you the strength to retreve your boat you are a good man
am a huckster and i can imagine how those affected are feeling right now. i pray that you guys will get some form of help to get you all back to your feet
verry sorry to hear that all my love go to ryan
This is rather telling…
I am very sorry to hear of this accident. I would want to think that the boat and the produce of all these hard working people were insured. If not then the Country would have to assist with a group insurance policy for hucksters transporting agricultural produce.
Ryan,hold strong thank god at least there is life.Its true you all had great lost the boat,the cargo etc but you all are there with us. Courage brothers we love you all.
captain always bwilay… insurance not going to pay…guada police will make a test for sure.
That is indeed a blow but even more so if the cargo was not insured. Was it?
Malgraysa you in all sauce only gay men like bouef so inD/can palance. If it were cricket you wouldbe an all-rounder
Malgraysa any news from Jaime from the beyond?
After all malgraysa of it wasn’t for Ben’s issues he’d be here with malgraysa.
Alas…plis ou touni plis chien halay-ou
This is very sad, all around. Thank GOD for his guiding hand, it could have been worst. I hope a replacement vessel can be in place as soon as is possible since many depended on this vessel and it’s operation for survival.
What guiding hand? oh,sorry nobody died! Well let d captain know in life, what goes around comes around. Doe put God in it when he was so wicked to others. He lucky nobody drown!That damn boat was too old anyway!Let him get a NEW BOAT, with de money he owe people. Ms.G in New York!
ms G all i know woman does not credit their body that is what he owe you and for the boat there will be one sooner that you thing and he is not a wicked man at all nobody knows him better than i do
Ms G all I can say is, Let He Who Is Without Sin, Cast The First Stone!
Am thankful that lives were not lost.
Thank God no lives were lost. Sad news however for the owners of the boat and those hucksters who lost so much.
More misery in this already poor country.