People from across Anguilla joined in a big Thanksgiving Service on Thursday, March 20, for the safe return of Island Harbour fisherman Sam Webster, who was lost at sea the week before.

Sam (center) with siblings, children and other family

The pond-fill in the fishing village was the scene of a large crowd and many vehicles from the start of the service. There several groups and individuals joined in the programme of songs and short addresses.

Historian Colville Petty joins hands with Sam and others

Chief Minister, Osbourne Fleming and Kenneth Harrigan, the Elected Representative for Island Harbour, were among the speakers. Others included Sam’s friends Aristo Richardson who was on the Fisheries boat which rescued him on March 15, over 30 miles east of Anguilla, and fellow cricketer Cardigan Connor who cried openly for the first time in 20 years.

Sam’s weeping friend Aristo Richardson

Emotions ran high during the service, particularly when Sam graphically recounted his ordeal at sea and his reliance on divine providence and his own ingenuity as he battled for his life.

Sam’s weeping friend Cardigan Connor

It was during that occasion that Sam and his family thanked everyone for their concern and support. Included in the thanks were the Island Harbour fishermen and personnel from the Fisheries boat, the Royal Anguilla Police Force and the St. Maarten Coast Guard who were involved in the search and rescue effort.

On March 14 Sam travelled some 35 miles east of Anguilla to attend his fish traps and to move them lower down from an impending high tide. On his return trip he attempted to stop his boat, Try Hard, for a close-up look at an old pot he found on his route, but he mistakenly put his engines at full throttle. He was catapulted into sea as the boat lurched forward and out of his reach.

As he struggled he eventually found a fish trap, tied himself by his neck to it, ripped off two of the buoys and fastened them under his shirt thus enabling him to float. He later untied himself as he was being taken down by the pot. He remained all night and half of the next day fighting to stay alive until he was spotted and picked up by the Fisheries boat. The lucky 46-old fisherman still bears a scar on his neck from the rope with which he had tied himself.

He is expected to resume his fishing expeditions shortly. His brother, Griffin, who lives in Canada and was a co-owner of Weblinks in Anguilla, presented him with a gadget called “spot” which has the technological ability to send a signal and location information to rescue services on land. It can automatically make that transmission whether in a boat or in the sea.

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