Hurricane-Battered Boat Finally Removed from Soufrière Cemetery After Long Delay
Nearly a year after Hurricane Beryl slammed into Saint Lucia, a boat that had been unceremoniously deposited in the Soufrière cemetery has finally been removed—bringing relief to many residents who had grown frustrated with the delay.
The vessel, which belonged to local fisherman Michael Gustave, was flung into the cemetery grounds by powerful storm surges on June 1, 2024, along with several other boats. While the rest were cleared months ago, this particular one remained stranded, drawing criticism and concern from the community.
The boat was taken out of the cemetery just days ago and placed along a nearby beach, only a short distance from where it had been lodged. Though it was not far, its prolonged presence inside the cemetery was a constant reminder of the destruction left behind by the hurricane.
Local clergy had previously indicated that plans were in place for its removal. On June 13, Father Sammy, parish priest of Soufrière, confirmed the boat would soon be cleared, although no specific timeline was given at the time.
Residents have since welcomed the removal as a long-overdue step in restoring dignity to the area. For months, the cemetery, overrun with bush and debris, had fallen into neglect. The boat’s removal marks the beginning of broader efforts to restore the burial site to a more respectful condition.
In addition to clearing the boat, clean-up crews have begun trimming overgrown vegetation and sprucing up the cemetery grounds. While this has been well received by most, not everyone is pleased with how the restoration is being handled.
Some community members believe the labor should have been sourced from within Soufrière, particularly from unemployed youth in the area. They argue this would not only have improved the cemetery but also provided much-needed economic opportunity.
“It took a long time for the boat to be removed from the cemetery, but I’m still happy it happened,” one resident commented. However, they also expressed frustration that repairs to the damaged perimeter fence have yet to begin.
The cemetery’s fence, which was also destroyed by Hurricane Beryl, remains in disrepair. This lack of security has left the site vulnerable, with many concerned about the ease of access to such a sacred space.
Local resident Clayus “Gramaxone” Joseph emphasized the need to rebuild the fence with better safeguards. “I’m very happy the boat was removed. What needs to be done now is for the cemetery’s fence to be repaired so anybody can’t just walk in and out. And it should be higher this time.”
The issue of the boat’s lingering presence was even raised earlier this year at a town hall meeting in Soufrière by a supporter of the St Lucia Labour Party (SLP), who called for more urgency in addressing post-storm cleanup efforts. With the vessel now gone, the community is turning its focus to ensuring that the rest of the cemetery’s restoration is not left to drag on.