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December is usually a month of optimism and hope. One where we prepare to celebrate the warmth of Christmas with friends and family.
This year, in houses across Jersey, the Philippines, and other parts of the world it will not be so.
Our prayers, thoughts, and best wishes are with the families of those tragically grieving from the incidents in St Ouen's Bay and at Haut du Mont. Our small Island community has always been known to have deep connections to the UK, Madeira, and the Commonwealth and, as we have seen, through these awful events we are further connected to faraway places with people who are now, and forever, part of our Island story. They are in our hearts.
Pictured: The nine islanders living in the Haut du Mont area who have not been seen since the explosion last weekend.
Our full community spirit has been felt here in Jersey, with donations, prayers, and support to all those affected. We know that Islanders are also showing that same spirit to shores afar, with donations pouring into a fundraiser set up by Rebecca Michieli for the families of Larry Simyunn and Jervis Ramirez Baligat who had been working alongside her father Mick on L'Ecume II. The Government has stood up full support, through both the Family Liaison Officers and the Ministry of External Relations to make sure the Simyunn and Baligat families know, and feel, that they are in our hearts.
This weekend, we will all be sparing thoughts and moments for all the families. The lights across the Island are bright, but in our hearts, there is a dullness.
Pictured: Jervis Ramirez Baligat, Michael Michieli and Larry Simyunn who were working on the L’Ecume II when it collided with the Commodore Goodwill.
There is support, through numerous agencies, should Islanders require, and as we go into the Christmas week, it is ok to find joy in moments with family and friends. We should especially take heart in the pride we feel for our emergency services, healthcare specialists, and public servants who we hope will get some rest this weekend. Their expertise and preparedness shone through as they responded to the immediate emergencies, the major incident response, and the ongoing recovery work out to sea and on the site. They are doing this with support from colleagues across the British Isles and are, of course, doing so alongside everything they would usually do in this busy time of the year.
We will all be hugging our loved ones that little bit tighter this week, and when we do, we will all be thinking of the families; near and far.
