The body of a man carrying a British passport was found at sea on board a partly burnt life raft on Wednesday afternoon, police say.
Police have identified the man as 53-year-old John Edward Garner.
They say the life raft was found approximately 15 nautical miles west of Buccament in southwestern St. Vincent.
Police received reports approximately 12:30 p.m. that a yacht was on fire at sea off Buccament.
The Coastguard Service responded immediately to the report, and Garner was found with injuries to both of his legs as well as his head.
He was rushed to the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, police say.
Police say the yacht is believed to be the “ASANTE”, which was registered in Gibraltar.
Debris and oil spill were discovered at sea, where police believe the yacht sunk.
Preliminary investigations show that Garner and Heidi Hukkelaas, arrived in St. Vincent and the Grenadines on Jan. 19, via plane, police say.
They were granted an extension to remain in the state no longer than April 19, 2014.
Police say the whereabouts of Hukkelaas are unknown, but checks revealed that she did not leave the state at any of the airports or seaports, police further said, adding that there investigations are on going.
It took the coast guards to darn long to get to the disaster. Folks were wondering if they were out chasing drug dealers. I was watching from my balcony and other boats were on sight, but this immediate response by the coast guards is bull shit!
Palmer, I can cypher the myriad factors why the SVG Coast Guard would usually be quite a bit late on the scene of action. It’s built into the very system, really. Some years ago, I came up with a plan for more use of the local-area constabulary and application of appropriate technology and equipment devices – – – to perform just such-like services – – – at least until the arrival of the larger Coast Guard contingents. We are still bogged down in thinking MILES BEHIND our former colonial mentors. We sorely need to improvise and be at least a bit more inventive.
I was a witness or perhaps wrapped up participant in another Coast Guard call to the OCEANA, Georgetown beach-head several years ago. It was frustrating and embarrassing, and SHOCKINGLY EXPENSIVE !
My sincere condolences to the immediate family, relatives, colleagues and friends of the deceased, Mr. John Edward Garner, a British (and fellow Commonwealth) Citizen, on his sad, tragic passing. May he REST IN PEACE.
WHAT concerns me, now, though, is the seeming need for even better POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS. The published police-attributed comments/responses seem somewhat crude, calloused and precipitate. These guys need to have a set person or group to issue more appropriate releases to the public. The unstated aspersions left hanging in the air are unfortunate and regrettable. EVERYONE IS INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY.
Let’s NOT have the BULLS IN THE CHINA SHOP running rampant. Exercise some compassion, empathy and respect – – – even as we thoroughly, firmly INVESTIGATE the case. Impropriety, and “NOT ME TO BLAME” would-be skewed propaganda would NOT SUFFICE to assure us that the investigations are proceeding right on schedule and with dispatch. SOME MORE PROFESSIONALISM, please ?
By the way — WHAT HAPPEN TO THOSE INFORMATIONS AND/OR PERSONS that the presiding JUDICIAL OFFICER asked for FROM VENEZUELA AND THE LEGAL / JUSTICE DEPARTMENT several weeks . . . MONTHS (?) ago ?
DEY DONE COME AREADY ???
SO, what was the results of the case, THAT UNION ISLAND COAST GUARD shoot-out imbroglio ?
IS THERE – – – WAS THERE — A POLITICAL-IDEOLOGICAL “HUSH – UP ” !!!