Fishermen ride out storm with cookout and merriment at Forum Fishing Village

As Hurricane Beryl approached the shores of St Catherine on Wednesday, fisherfolk at the Forum Fishing Village were cooking and having a grand time at the Rum Pary HQ bar or relaxing in their make-shift cottages.

According to those present, it would have been a mistake to go to shelters or their actual homes during the storm. 

One fisherman, Robert Williamson, proudly stated that he lives in Kingston, but preferred to be with his colleagues at the Forum Fishing Village than the comfort of his own house. 

“We have to help others that the boat nuh float go weh. We have to be here. We can't just gone a we home and not know what taking place here. We have to see the area and the base,” Williamson told The Gleaner before showing the team his make-shift bed in a container. 

“We have to be here just in case the wind gets so high and a boat gets loose and [the wind] carry it out at sea, so we [are here] to capture it back and put it back in position,” he said.

Another man told The Gleaner that he has to remain “on the base” because he is his brother's keeper, and they all need each other. 

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