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‘Time to properly honour our seamen’ – Doug Wheatley

- said the sacrifices of these men in providing food & other supplies seem to be going unappreciated
September 21st, 2015 | Tags: 3D Show Doug Wheatley seaman honour
Talk show host Doug Wheatley said that there seems to be some reluctance when it comes to honouring persons who worked in the early days providing sea-faring services to the territory in the most difficult of conditions. Photo: VINO/File
Examples of some of the boats in past years that plied the seas. Photo: oldbahamas.com
Examples of some of the boats in past years that plied the seas. Photo: oldbahamas.com
ROAD TOWN, Tortola, VI – Talk show host Doug Wheatley said there seems to be some reluctance with regard to honouring persons who worked in the early days providing sea-faring services to the territory in the most difficult of conditions.

Wheatley was on Friday September 18, 2015 speaking on his 3D Show aired on ZBVI 780 AM. He said the Virgin Islands has produced some of the most skilled seamen in the Caribbean and indeed the world.

“And we had to depend on them because they were the ones who had to bring in everything that had to come in. There were no helicopters to bring them in,” said Wheatley.

“They had to take out whatever had to be taken out because there was no other way. They provided the transportation for us within the Virgin Islands. So if the people from Anegada wanted to come to Tortola it was by boat,” he said.

“Our seamen were very good…the Swiftkeel and Pilgrim and all these boats. And then we raised up a little bit and we were able to get some motorboats…the Four Friends, the Islander, the Joan of Ark and so on.”

“Their skippers were excellent seamen. And again I am saying all this because I don’t think that we have honoured our seamen the way that we should honour them. I mean those were the people who saw to it that we survived in Tortola and in Virgin Gorda and Anegada and Jost van Dyke,” he said.

Mr Wheatley said these are the men who saw to it that the people in the territory survived by going out in their boats and facing whatever was out there and bringing back food and other supplies. He said also that these men also provided a service of shipping gravel and other material and supplies to St Thomas, USVI.

“I am saying that I think we need to get a listing of all those seamen and captains who did such a fantastic job and honour them. I don’t know why for some reason we seem to be so reluctant and unwilling to honour people who have contributed,” he said.

“We have to remember these people and find a way to honour them. They can’t appreciate it now but they have families left who will be able to appreciate what has been done,” said Wheatley.

8 Responses to “‘Time to properly honour our seamen’ – Doug Wheatley”

  • ta ta (21/09/2015, 16:02) Like (3) Dislike (3) Reply
    by time time we done we will honor every rock that every move in the BVI
  • headline (21/09/2015, 20:43) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    the headlines really had me cracking up for a moment....lol
    • Mary Luke (22/09/2015, 00:27) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      relax people it is not the beginning fear and confusion spread over the land
  • :-) (22/09/2015, 08:09) Like (1) Dislike (0) Reply
    I always honor my seamen by never wasting a drop.

    I agree with Mr Wheatley, I alone am responsible for producing some of the best seamen in the Caribbean and indeed the world. I honor these valiant seafarers by allowing them their freedom daily. Never again will they be held captive! Never again will they be left to live aimlessly because of a lack of testicular fortitude! I stand firm in my belief that all seamen should rise and shoot forth into the world to make their mark. Go forth good seamen...we honor you!
    • What a Play on Words (22/09/2015, 12:42) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
      Your comment is really pun(ny). You sir/madam, have a real sense of humor. I love your 'testicular fortitude' and the fact that all seamen "should rise and shoot forth....". Really, really funny. You have made me howl with laughter.
  • Reader (22/09/2015, 23:43) Like (0) Dislike (0) Reply
    Yes Mr. Wheatley if that come to reality don't leave out my mom cousin who I never met, I always hear my mom talk about him James Vanterpool from Virgin Gorda. In her conversation to me concerning VI life back in the years she mentioned some of the vessels names. Unfortunately she don't have photos of them Sunshine, impress, Chocolate queen, Joan of Arc, Pride of Tortola. We really need a documentary on these heroes who brave our water.
  • Jimmy smith (23/09/2015, 07:11) Like (0) Dislike (1) Reply
    This man feels the need to be relevant, because he gets on the radio and talk a lot of hot air all the time .
    I am allways mindful of the messenger, what are his real accomplishments, what has he done for himself, ask him when he is critizing others when he leaves the show he has to catch a ride. people becareful who you listening to some people in this country can only talk no substance. dougie is one such person waste of time.


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