[UPDATED] Saved from sea - Tobago fishermen rescued after 4 days adrift

AFTER being adrift in a pirogue at sea for four days, Tobago fishermen Albert James and Junior Thorne were miraculously rescued by two other fishermen and brought safely back to shore, near the Pigeon Point Depot, on February 15.

The men, who appeared weary and shaken, walked into the arms of their family members around 10.45 am amid cheers from fellow fishermen, residents and curious onlookers.

But the emotional reunion was short-lived as Emergency Health Services (EHS) personnel, in two ambulances, were on hand to take the fishermen to the Scarborough General Hospital for medical attention. Several family members accompanied them.

Tobago Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) personnel, members of the Coast Guard and several police officers also were on the scene.

James, who spoke briefly to reporters from the ambulance, said he was glad to be back on shore. James' wife, Indira Surkumar, said she was also happy to have her husband home.

Thorne, 49, and James, 62, both experienced fishermen, set out to sea from Pigeon Point on February 11 at around 6 am onboard a 28-foot, open-top pirogue, Xena, and were expected to return by 10 am that day.

They went to set three fishing pots in waters off Pigeon Point but when they did not return to their homes, family members became worried and feared for the men’s safety.

Teams, comprising members of the Air Guard, Coast Guard, TEMA, the All Tobago Fisherfolk Association (ATFA) and other groups, began a frantic search for the fishermen despite hazardous sea conditions.

Owing to drift patterns, there also was speculation that the boat had drifted out of Tobago’s waters. As such, Venezuelan and Grenadian authorities were asked to help local agencies search for the fishermen.

On February 15, as the ambulances drove away from Pigeon Point, onlookers mulled over the rescue, praising the efforts of two fishermen who found them.

The men, called only by their aliases, "Chicken" and "Simba," went out to sea early that morning to set their fishing pots and found the men in the hapless vessel.

Chicken did not want to talk to reporters and Simba was incoherent.

Searches as far as Grenada

TEMA director Allan Stewart gave his understanding of how the rescue unfolded.

He told Sunday Newsday, “James would have had an enormous amount of experience. So he highlighted that what he did, when he recognised that they were in grave difficulties, they allowed themselves to be tied back to the fishing pots that were anchored at sea.

“So it kept them in a particular location with the understanding that their colleagues at some point in time will come to look at their own fishing pots and will find them. That was the strategy that was used and worked out for him. He used his head and he tied himself to the fishing pots.”

Stewart, who remained optimistic that the men would have been found, likened the rescue to several Biblical miracles: Jonah surviving in the belly of a whale for three days and Peter walking on water.

He said Chicken, a Pigeon Point fisherman, had also recalled his experience, at one time, of being lost at sea for six days.

“As a boy, I, too, have heard stories of people who survived at sea for days. So there is a need for us to document these things.”

Nigel Taitt, assistant secretary, Division of Food Production, Natural Resources, Sustainable Development and the Environment, who visited Pigeon Point regularly and kept in touch with the men’s families throughout the ordeal, echoed Stewart’s account of the event.

Taitt could not say what caused the vessel to shut down.

“The fishermen did not get a chance to say exactly what happened. But for the whole of last week, we were receiving information that the waters were very bad. There were rough seas and the current was pushing vessels mostly to Grenada's side. So most of the vessels went in that area in search of the men and the vessel was actually right where they set their pots.

Taitt said he was very happy the men were found alive.

“I want to give God all the praise, all the glory and for all those who were here from day one. TEMA, Division of Fisheries, the fisherfolk of Tobago, the family and friends of the men, I say, ‘Thank you all so much. It was long awaited and God answered our prayers,” he said.

He said he only got to hug one of the men briefly and the other was taken to the ambulance.

Asked how the fishermen managed to survive the ordeal, Taitt said, “That is only God alone could answer that question now. God gave them the strength and encouragement for them to fight it because Tuesday to now is a very long time out there. So we have to give God praise and thanks for that.”

Charles-Pantin, the division’s line secretary, said she was also relieved and thankful.

“I am relieved that the families can reunite again because I have been here and seen how the daughter, how the wife, how all of them felt. So I am just relieved at this moment,” she said.

Charles-Pantin said she also was extremely proud of Taitt.

“We kept working with TEMA to ensure that we took all of the necessary steps and, of course, the chief secretary (Farley Augustine), he has been following very closely.”

“Allan Stewart and his team have been working very hard getting drones out there with other fishermen participating in the search. So they would have done an excellent job and I want to commend them because they are usually out in the field doing all of the hard work.”

Tracking devices needed

An emotional ATFA president Curtis Douglas urged fishermen to inform their family members and others of their whereabouts when heading out to sea.

He also called on the THA and government to continue the small watercraft programme to ensure that all fishing vessels are equipped with tracking devices.

“The tracking device will cut costs on people having to go looking for people. It will be able to locate where they are and rescue them immediately,” he told Sunday Newsday.

Douglas said he was happy for the men’s families.

“Today, two lives were saved and it brings joy to my heart. I am feeling to dance to see that these men are alive. Let it be an example to others. It shows that a community not only raises a child but also cares for one another.”

He also thanked South-West Fishing Association president Carol Williams for her leadership and assistance over the past four days.

Meanwhile, Secretary of Health, Wellness and Social Protection Dr Faith Brebnor also expressed gratitude for the men’s safe return.

“We are thankful that the fishermen were brought back to their families and to us all and grateful to everyone involved in their rescue,” she said in a statement posted in the executive council WhatsApp chat at 3.57 pm on February 15.

Brebnor said the men were brought into the Accident & Emergency Department of the Scarborough Hospital at approximately 11.25 am and were immediately attended to.

“Both men are receiving treatment for dehydration but are stable and in good spirits.”

But she said further testing and observation are ongoing.

“Recovery so far is good and without complication.”

This story was originally published with the title "Tobago fishermen rescued at sea" and has been adjusted to include additional details. See original post below.

AFTER being adrift in a pirogue at sea for four days, Tobago fishermen Albert James and Junior Thorne were miraculously rescued by two other fishermen and brought safely back to shore, near the Pigeon Point Depot, on February 15.

The men, who appeared weary and shaken, walked into the arms of their family members shortly before 11 am amid cheers from fellow fishermen, residents and other onlookers.

But the reunion was short-lived as Emergency Health Services personnel, in two ambulances, were on hand to take the fishermen to the Scarborough General Hospital for medical attention. Several family members accompanied them.

James, 62, who spoke briefly to reporters from the ambulance, said he was glad to be alive and back on shore.

Nigel Taitt, assistant secretary, Division of Food Production, Natural Resources, Sustainable Development and the Environment, who visited Pigeon Point regularly and kept in touch with the men’s families throughout the ordeal, said he was happy the men were found.

“I am very elated at this point. Those who know me, know that I am a very emotional person. I was here from Tuesday to present and I am still here with the family, the friends, the fisherfolk from the Pigeon Point area and I was so proud when I received that phone call this morning (February 15) that the men were found,” he told reporters.

“I hastily got myself here where I witnessed both vessels coming in and I saw Mr James and Mr Thorne on the vessels standing, which meant that they were alive. Right there I broke down because every day I said my prayer and the secretary, of course, Mrs (Nathisha Charles) Pantin and, we prayed for the family. We prayed for them to be found and returned to shore.”