Hurricane Beryl: Port Louis Marina Survives Unharmed While Carriacou Faces Devastation
Hurricane Beryl struck Grenada, damaging Carriacou severely but leaving Port Louis Marina unharmed. The marina safely sheltered vessels and organized relief efforts for affected communities. Recovery efforts are ongoing amidst a state of emergency, revealing a strong commitment from local and yachting communities to support one another.
Despite Hurricane Beryl’s devastating impact on Grenada, Port Louis Marina emerged virtually unscathed, ensuring the safety of staff and yacht owners before the storm. The marina proactively closed 24 hours in advance and implemented a comprehensive hurricane safety plan, providing extra mooring support for the vessels docked there, resulting in no reported damage post-storm.
Conversely, the nearby island of Carriacou faced significant destruction, as Hurricane Beryl made landfall there as a Category 4 storm, with winds reaching 150 mph (241 km/h). This hurricane marked a historic event, being the strongest recorded in June and July and demonstrating the most rapid intensification prior to the peak hurricane season, transitioning from a tropical depression to a major storm in under 42 hours.
Grenada’s Prime Minister, Dickon Mitchell, described the devastation, noting that 98 percent of buildings were damaged and that vegetation was stripped from the landscape. Emergency aid is being organized, with support from neighboring countries. Mitchell emphasized the importance of managing this aid effectively to ensure a sensible and orderly response.
Port Louis Marina has joined the relief efforts, setting up a collection site for basic necessities to assist Carriacou. The marina has gathered clothing, water, and food supplies from local businesses and residents while also contributing medical kits and canned goods.
Currently, Grenada is under a state of emergency until July 7. The staff at Port Louis Marina are exploring more ways to provide substantial aid to Carriacou, with many yacht owners and crew offering to assist in delivering supplies. Tremlett highlighted how the yachting community consistently collaborates during crises.
Hurricane Beryl caused unprecedented destruction on Carriacou while Port Louis Marina remained unharmed, demonstrating effective storm preparedness. The devastation experienced by the island prompted rapid mobilization of aid efforts, reflecting the solidarity within the community. As Grenada operates under a state of emergency, continued efforts to deliver assistance highlight the yachting community’s commitment during times of crisis.
Original Source: megayachtnews.com
