One of the four bodies found in Sainte-Anne, Martinique
The authorities in Martinique have confirmed that the four bodies discovered last week off Sainte-Anne are that of four St. Lucian nationals, believed to be fishermen, who died after their “skiff” - a light rowing boat or sculling boat typically for one person – capsized, according to a news report by Martinique 1.
Efforts to determine the cause of death of the four men are now underway.
According to the news report, the autopsies are being carried at a rate of one a day since yesterday, Tuesday, June 23. The vessel, registered in St. Lucia, was found off the coast of Sainte-Anne.
The skiff’s owner was also identified but he is deceased and the authorities await further confirmation, according to the the Martinique 1 report, which was translated from French to English by St. Lucia News Online.
The police are trying to understand in what condition the skiff was, when it “capsized” with its occupants.
The four bodies were discovered on Thursday, June 18 and Saturday, June 20 in the same area off Sainte-Anne, Martinique.
According to Martinique media, one body was discovered on Thursday at Anse Aux Bois and three decomposed bodies were discovered by kite surfers Saturday night off Cap Chevalier.
Meanwhile, the St. Lucia Marine Unit had told SNO in a previous interview that at least one of the four men that were recently discovered is that of a Saint Lucian national from Dennery.
The man’s body was discovered along with a Saint Lucian-registered boat named ‘We Trust in God’ on Thursday, June 18, at about 5:20 p.m. The vessel was powered by a 155-horse power outboard engine. The body discovered is believed to be that of a man in his early 60′s.
Assistant Superintendent John Preville had told SNO that once the post mortem examinations in Martinique are completed, the Marine Unit may have to go to assist with the investigations. He said the relatives of the missing men will be urged to travel to Martinique to assist with identifying the bodies.
Preville had said the post mortems should be completed before the end of this week and once the bodies are properly identified, and if they are found to be St. Lucians, arrangements will be made to have them returned home.
Meanwhile, the Martinique 1 report further stated that the death of the four St. Lucians are not linked to the disappearance of another boat from Fort de France with four St. Lucians on board.
On Friday, June 5, at about 4 a.m., ‘The Unexpected’ vessel with four men on board reportedly left Martiniqe for St. Lucia. The seven-metre-long green and black piroque, which was powered by a 150-horse power Yamaha engine, was expected to arrive in St. Lucia at around noon the same day.
The captain has since been identified as Wilfred Deterville, who is originally from Richfond, Dennery. The boat was reportedly transporting groceries and was accompanied by three other men from St. Lucia, namely Rudolph (only name given), Kurt Richard and Alvin Tristan.
The Maritime Rescue Coordination Center (MRCC) in Martinique had issued an “overdue” alert on their Twitter page, two days after the incident.
Meanwhile, the Marine Police Unit has confirmed that seven more men have been reported missing at sea.
Assistant Superintendent John Preville said a fishing vessel named ‘Same Speed’ departed Dennery on Monday, June 15 at about 2 a.m with seven men and was never seen again. The Marine Unit received a report of the missing vessel on Friday, June 19 at about 6:30 p.m.
Preville said information suggests that two of the seven persons on board are from Dennery. The boat carries a 150 horse-power outboard engine and is red and orange inside and is yellow and blue outside. The vessel was destined for neighboring Martinique.