Quick Update:
As I search the net and wait for word from loved ones in the Caribbean, my heart breaks knowing how devastating it is down there.
A few weeks ago we left El Gato in Grenada, the southernmost island in the Windward chain, just above Trinidad and Tobago. It is not immune to hurricanes, but the chances are better of not getting hit. As we packed her up I had a lump in my throat. What if we never see her again? She’s in a good yard, Clarks Court Marina, and we took all her sails down and did the 100 things you do when leaving. But after watching Irma approach the islands for the past week, and now seeing the photos and videos of the places we know and love, my heart hurts. When I asked the yard manager what he thought would happen if a big hurricane hit, he said it would probably be a total loss. WHAT?!? But now I see where friends left their lovely yachts on the hard in Tortola and I grasp what he means. When it blows 150-200 kts there is nothing that can stay upright except for cement houses with cement roofs. Now we know why Bermuda requires it. And why some yachts were safe on good docks in St Thomas. We hope one of them belongs to our buddy Teri who can’t get to her cat Safari. Roads closed. She has no idea how her condo or boat are but she is safe. Thank God.
We particularly are fond of Barbuda, a small island that is an independent nation with Antigua and unable to get help from a big country like the US or England. Only 1400 inhabitants and the island is literally in rubbles. They were poor to begin with. Their houses are gone…
Below is an Ocean Cruising Club notice I copied and pasted. I’m personally wary about sending $ to their govt because every cab driver we met said the officials were takers. Can’t confirm either way. And who knows, maybe in times like these takers can change into givers. But I post anyway and if you read all the way through you will see there are some hands on ways to help. There will be more and you can bet Eric and I will be part of something good.
For now, we hope and pray for those affected.
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How cruisers can assist victims of Irma
Sally Erdle of Caribbean Compass has passed on information about ways to assist Barbuda, in particular…
By Daria Blackwell – 08/09/2017
Thanks for your concern! We are in Bequia, in the Grenadines, and thank goodness well away from any danger.
Pretty much all of the northern Leewards took a bad hit, but St Barts and St Martin will be receiving aid from France, St Maarten from the Netherlands, the Virgins from the US and UK…. but poor Barbuda (part of the independent nation of Antigua & Barbuda) has no such “mother ship” and Irma’s eye went right over Barbuda, causing unimaginable devastation.
Here’s how OCC members can help:
FUNDING AND RELIEF EFFORTS FOR BARBUDA
Our sister island Barbuda was hit by the eye of Hurricane Irma and suffered catastrophic damage with the threat of Hurricane Jose behind. Read the latest alert from National Office of Disaster Services.
We now have official information with regards to financial contributions – sent directly from the Government, Sir Ronald Sanders, Ambassador/High Commissioner.
FOR DONATING TO BARBUDA RELIEF FUND
Please be aware that unscrupulous persons are setting up websites claiming to be relief agencies for Barbuda. The Government of Antigua and Barbuda can take no responsibility for them. The details of the OFFICIAL ACCOUNT for sending contributions are shown below. If you wish to verify this information, please call the Embassy of Antigua and Barbuda to the US, and the High Commission to Canada at: (202) 362 5122. Members of Staff will confirm this information.
TO REMIT IN U.S. DOLLARS
56A: The Bank of New York Mellon (Intermediary Bank)
One Wall Street
New York, New York 10286
SWIFT: IRVTUS3NXXX
For credit to:
57A: Crown Agents Bank, Ltd. (Account with Institution)
St. Nicholas House
St. Nicholas Road
Sutton Surrey, SM IEL United Kingdom
SWIFT : CRASGB2L
Account #8900319011
For Further Credit to:
59: Global Bank of Commerce (Beneficiary Bank)
St. John’s, Antigua
SWIFT : GBCLAGAG
ACCOUNT# 33086101 (USD)
For Final Credit to:
70: Government of Antigua and Barbuda – Barbuda
Relief and Rebuilding Fund
Account #100-019-74
Nature of Payment is to be included (SWIFT
Field 70)
TO REMIT IN EUROS
56A: Deutsche Bank, AG (Intermediary Bank)
Taunusanlage 12
Frankfurt AM Main 60262
SWIFT: DEUTEFFXXX
For credit to:
57A: Crown Agents Bank, Ltd. (Account with Institution)
St. Nicholas House
St. Nicholas Road
Sutton Surrey, SM 1 EL
United Kingdom
SWIFT : CRASGB2L
Account #9608217
For Further Credit to:
59: Global Bank of Commerce (Beneficiary Bank)
St. John’s, Antigua
SWIFT : GBCLAGAG
ACCOUNT# 33086401 (EUR)
For Final Credit to.
70: Government of Antigua and Barbuda — Barbuda
Relief and Rebuilding Fund
Account # 100-019-75
Nature of Payment is to be included (SWIFT
Field 70)
1) FOR US DOLLAR WIRE TRANSFERS:
56A: Intermediary Bank – Name and Address:
BNY Mellon, New York
SWIFT ID: IRVTUS3N
ABA #: 021000018
57A: Account with Institution – Name and Address
Crown Agents Bank Ltd, Sutton
London
SWIFT ID: CRASGB2L
59: Beneficiary Customer – Name and Address:
Caribbean Union Bank Ltd
Friars Hill Road, Antigua
SWIFT ID: CUNBAGAG
Account # 33178101
70: Ultimate Beneficiary Customer – Account Name, Number, Address
100-013-72
GOAB Barbuda Relief & Rebuilding Fund
2) FOR EURO DOLLAR WIRE TRANSFERS:
56A: Intermediary Bank – Name and Address:
DEUTSCHE BANK AG
SWIFT ID: DEUTDEFF
57A: Account With Institution – Name and Address
Crown Agents Bank Ltd, Sutton
London
SWIFT ID: CRASGB2L
59: Beneficiary Customer-Name and Address
Caribbean Union Bank Ltd
Friars Hill Road, Antigua
SWIFT ID: CUNBAGAG
Account # 33178401
70: Ultimate Beneficiary – Account Name, Number, Address
100-013-72
Barbuda Relief & Rebuilding Fund
Other ways you can help assist victims of the storm:
Financial contributions can also be made to two key places below at this time. We know there are lots of funding links out there but these are the two very trusted sources we are confident will pass all money on to the relief efforts.
1. Make financial donations via the ticketting APP on behalf of the Antigua & Barbuda Red Cross.The ticketting APP is a locally owned and run company and will be passing on 100% of the funds donated to the Red Cross.
2. Make financial donations to the Curtain Bluff’s non-profit (501c3) “Old Road Fund”.
3. Adventure Antigua and Team Antigua – Atlantic Rowers are doing vital work to help provide relief support by taking the boat over with supplies first thing today. For anyone wishing to donate, Adventure Antigua will collect from clothing & household linens from anywhere on the island which will then be taken to a warehouse in Coolidge for sorting and distribution. Call 723 6355 to arrange.
4. Call Joely Anton-Hall (720-5282) at Best Cellars Wines and Spirits to drop off donations to be delivered by Adam Barrett via helicopter
5. Donate supplies at the Antigua Yacht Club Marina for ABSAR’s team that is transporting items to Barbuda and who willl carry injured victims back to Antigua.
6. Barbuda is now under voluntary evacuation due to impending Hurricane Jose. If you have a room in your home you can open to a Barbudan, please call any of the following numbers 464-5056 / 736-3419 / 736-3420 /736-3421 / 736-3423
7. Drop donations at NODS on American Road (about half way between All Saints Road and Factory Road. Unfortunately they are not in a position to take cash support – that should be routed through the above agencies.
8. The Antigua and Barbuda Port Authority are collecting donations – right at the entrance to the Port. Please drop off supplies directly at the gate.
If you are aware of any relief efforts that we don’t have listed, please email alisonslyadams@antiguanice.com and we will continue to update this post with new updates for as long as we have access to power.
Tradewind Adventures 