The mystery of the three West Bay fishermen who were lost at sea when they left Cayman’s shores on 19^th August and did not return until Aug 31^st got into more murky seas on Tuesday (11).

When the fishermen’s boat had not returned on 23^rd Aug the men’s families raised the alarm and a full air and sea search was put into action involving both Jamaica and the USA.

The men were rescued when their boat was discovered off East End. Also in the boat were two Jamaican nationals and in Summary Court on Tuesday they were charged with illegal landing and both pleaded guilty.

The murky waters was the story the men told through their defence attorney, the impeccable John Furniss.

Their story:

They were fishermen and their boat developed problems after they left Jamaica. They were stranded at sea for four days before the Caymanians rescued them. The Caymanian captain (Miguel Bush) said they were on their way to Cayman Brac and were willing to assist by towing their boat to the Brac, where they would be handed over to authorities.

Disaster! The rescue vessel ran into bad weather and developed problems. They were now all drifting out to sea together. The boat that was doing the towing couldn’t cope and so the Jamaicans’ boat was cut adrift.

There was a passing bulk carrier but when the men tried to get assistance, the carrier continued on its way in such a manner as to cause concern for the stability of the vessel the men were on. Certain things were sprayed on the men that caused sores on their skin.

Instead of going to Cayman Brac they ended up in East End. After being rescued they were taken by ambulance to George Town Hospital, and treated for dehydration and exposure. Both men were adrift for 16 or 17 days.

Neither of the two men had wanted to land in the Cayman Islands.

The big question is and it was raised in the Court:

“What were they doing in a boat in the Cayman Islands?” 

Mr. Furniss answered for his clients: “They’re fishing and the chapter of disaster continues: your boat has problems, the next boat has problems and you end up in court.”

He actually kept a straight face. Where was he when I was looking for an actor in one of my plays?

Grand Cayman is a long way from Jamaica. Their boat drifted far and then got lost. It was a miracle the West Bay men found them in a spot between Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac.

However, it is common for fishermen to tell fishy stories.

The sentence of the court? One day imprisonment, with conviction recorded. Deportation would follow administratively.

Did I tell you one about the big fish I caught but got away in murky waters?