Longstanding Island Harbour fisherman, Vern Smith, is thankful to be alive today and attributes the saving of his life to God’s grace, and to a passing fishing boat owned by Mr. Roland Webster.
The young fisherman was on his way back to mainland Anguilla on Tuesday, August 21, when he encountered a most challenging situation. He was tossed into the sea after a wave struck his boat which then sped away taking with it his cellular phone and his catch of the day.
Here is his human interest and arresting story as related to The Anguillian newspaper on Wednesday morning, August 22:
“Around 10’clock on Tuesday morning, August 21, I left Island Harbour Bay to pull my 14 deep- water traps set for snappers. I did all the work, including cleaning the boat before heading home. When I reached just under Little Scrub, the rope I tied to the stern was hanging overboard so I pulled it inside. When I held up my head I saw a log of wood in the water. I swung the boat away from it and at the same time I was standing in some hydraulic fluid that was leaking on the floor. As I moved the boat, I slipped backwards, struck my head and fell overboard. When I looked I saw the boat going towards the land. It went west then turned back to the north. The last time I saw the boat it was heading northeast.
“With the boat gone, I had to find a way to get home safely but it was a far distance to swim. I was wearing a long-sleeved heavy shirt and long pants. I was trying to get the shirt off but couldn’t. I then tried to take off the pants but, with the pinup button missing, I had used a string to tie the waist of the pants together but I couldn’t get the knot loose. After two hours swimming, I found that I couldn’t make it to the land. I knew I would drown because I was too tired to swim to the land and the clothes were killing me. I looked around but saw no boats or anybody. It was like there was no hope for me.
“I eventually saw a fish pot about 100 feet east of me so I decided that, if I am to live, I have to get to the buoy on the pot for some support. As I swam towards it, I was drinking a lot of seawater because the waves were coming towards my face. I was already so tired that breathing through my nose was not enough, so I had to open my mouth to help me to breathe. When I reached about 20 feet from the buoy I felt unable to go anymore. I had no more strength. I said I would have to give up but then I told myself that it was something like this that had happened to Sam Webster. He survived and we are strong people. Physically, I didn’t have the strength but mentally I figured that I couldn’t panic. I have to try to get to the buoy. When I got there and held on to it, the heavy clothes were still pulling me under but I was able to pull myself forward as the fish pot had a second buoy on it. I held the two buoys together and then I saw a boat in the northwest and I thought it had found my boat and was looking for me. I realised that it was Sheridan Rogers pulling his pots so I said that when he reached to the pot with the two buoys he would see me. It was when he passed and went straight up that I realised that it was not his pot.
“However, I remember when I was coming in [to Island Harbour Bay] that I saw Roland Webster in his boat so I said that might be my only chance to be rescued. I told myself when he is going home, and if he passed through here, he may see me. About 2-3 hours later I saw his boat in the distance heading straight towards me. I said ‘Lord, help him to come straight through here and don’t turn to go down or anywhere else’. I tried to wave but was so tired I couldn’t keep up my hand so long…but he continued coming my way. I thought that if his boat was to run over me, then I had to die that way. When he reached about 100 feet, I was able to wave again with the last strength I had and then he saw me and waved back. When he came up he pulled me into his boat. When I reached to the wharf I called my brother, Trivon, and told him I was thrown overboard; that my boat had gone in the north; but, I am safe and let’s concentrate on my boat now.
“Trivon called his pilot friend, Dean Richardson, who flew from St. Thomas on Tuesday afternoon and both of them, and Sam Webster, went in search of my boat. In Anguilla you couldn’t find any available pilot as they were out of the island. That was why Trivon called Dean in St. Thomas and within 45 minutes he was here in Anguilla. They found the boat but it was still going north…Eventually, due to darkness, the aircraft had to come back but resumed its search the next day – Wednesday.”
A number of boats (whose owners he named) from Island Harbour were also involved in searching for his boat both on Tuesday and again on Wednesday.
Vern had filled up his boat with fuel on the day of the mishap, meaning that it would have been able to travel a far distance before running out of petrol.
Vern’s boat was eventually located 24 miles northwest of Sombero on Wednesday and brought to Anguilla – a distance of about 80 miles. He described his boat as being: “a blue scarbe hull vessel, 31 feet long with two brand new 4/150 horsepower Yamaha engines.” He bought it from its previous owner in St. Maarten and remodelled it for fishing. Altogether it cost up to US$70,000.
Reflecting on his ordeal, Vern told The Anguillian: “All when I was in the water I asked God to see me through this because I have a family. I believe strongly that God had a hand in Roland Webster rescuing me, and I have to say special thanks to him for bringing me home. I also thank all who came forward to assist me with the use of their boats, as well as the large crowds which gathered on the bay to welcome me home.”
A piece of useful advice to all fishermen, and other persons, from Vern is: “Never go on the sea alone. Have someone with you always. Your life may depend on that companion.”
While fishing is his main livelihood, Vern is also a practicing musician on the side.
