On Saturday October 3rd 2009, around 6:30 am, a cargo boat by the name of Karma caught on fire in the Great Bay Harbour.
The following is a statement from the cargo boat owner Mr.Robbie Lawrence, which was provided by Mr.Gromyko Wilson:
Official statement from the owner of KARMA Boat
We lost an old familiar face today with the catastrophic fire on board the M/V Karma. It is unknown the exact cause of the fire but we do know the fire started in the engine room and spread quickly throughout the engine room, wheelhouse and accommodations areas, destroying them quickly. We will be able to get on board and do a closer inspection in a day or so.
The crew of the Tug Culpepper and the personnel of the St. Maarten ports authority have my utmost appreciation and respect for the the quick response in assisting the vessel and crew. My thanks also go out to the crew of the Cutter Poema and the St. Maarten Fire Brigade. It is because of these guys that the damage was limited to the vessel and did not impact Great Bay harbor.
The M/V Karma has been a staple in the inter-island trade for close to thirty years and was usually the first vessel available to assist St. Maarten and the surrounding island immediately after the passing of major hurricanes. Many will remember the first delivery of ice and fresh bread to the island immediately after hurricane Luis in 95 and the delivery of ice, bread and water to Saba after Hurricane Gorge.
The loss of the M/V Karma is the end of an era and sadly not the way this grand old lady should have gone out.
It is anticipated that arrangements will be made to allow the weekly service to the U.S and British Virgin Islands to continue.
Robbie Lawrence
