The staff and yacht owners occupying slips at Port Louis Marina remained safe despite the record-breaking Hurricane Beryl hitting Grenada on July 1. Still, the storm left widespread damage across the island and especially on Carriacou, a tiny island belonging to the nation. Together, the marina, owners, and local businesses are mobilizing aid for that community.
Following government guidelines, Port Louis Marina closed 24 hours prior to Hurricane Beryl’s anticipated landfall. The property further has its own hurricane-safety plan. (Despite Grenada being outside of the hurricane belt, named storms have hit it previously, including Hurricane Ivan in 2004.) According to Zara Tremlett, the general manager of Port Louis Marina, staff ensured docks had further support from strengthening ratchets. Additionally, the staff provided extra mooring lines to yachts in its basin. After the storm’s passing, there was no apparent damage.
The 13-square-mile (33.7-square-kilometer) island of Carriacou suffered a direct blow, however. The hurricane made landfall there as a Category 4 storm with sustained winds of 150 mph (241 kmh). In fact, Hurricane Beryl is the strongest hurricane in history for both June and July. It made further history with the quickest intensification prior to September 1, the beginning of peak hurricane season. The storm went from being a tropical depression to a major hurricane in less than 42 hours.
“It’s utter and complete devastation, not just of the homes but of the environment,” says Grenada’s prime minister, Dickon Mitchell. The storm stripped all vegetation, plus damaged 98 percent of buildings. He does say that aid has been arriving, primarily from neighboring nations. “We think the mobilization is going to be rapid, but we want it to be sensible and orderly as well,” he adds.
As a result, Port Louis Marina is among those assisting. On July 2, it opened for Grenada’s official Carriacou Relief Operation. The relief team used the site to gather basic supplies, Tremlett says. Clothing and water were among the items it collected from local businesses and residents. The marina itself donated medical kits, water, and canned goods.
Grenada is under a state of emergency through July 7. In the meantime, Port Louis Marina’s staff continues exploring ways to deliver “more substantial aid” to Carriacou, Tremlett says. “There are many, many yacht owners and crew willing to help deliver to these otherwise fairly remote locations,” she says. “It is a reminder of how the yachting community consistently pulls together in times of crisis.”
Port Louis Marina cnmarinas.com/marinas/port-louis-marina
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