At close to noon on Thursday, days before Tropical Storm Melissa is expected to impact Jamaica, fisherfolk in Port Royal work together to secure their boats on land.

“One, two, three!” the group of men chanted in unison as they mustered strength to pull one of the large boats safely to shore.

Despite some boat owners not being present at the time, the group of fishermen worked assiduously to secure their properties as well.

“Just do what you can do, if you can help another man, you help another man and that’s it,” a fisherman exclaimed.

Fishermen pull fishing boats ashore in Port Royal ahead of Tropical Storm Melissa on Thursday, October 23, 2025. (Photo: Garfield Robinson)

Another fisherman, John Whimsy, indirectly made reference to the Golden Rule of reciprocity.

“Me have a boat inna the sea so me haffi come out and help them because me ago want help. The boats them heavy,” Whimsy said.

Rupert Ramsey, a 73-year-old fisherman, told Observer Online that it is a common practice to lend a helping hand to other fisherfolk when a storm approaches.

“Every year we work together. When we ago get high tides, those who fear it might get higher, we draw them up,” said Ramsey.

The fisherman shared that while he doesn’t own a boat, he saw it fit to render his assistance.

“I don’t own a boat for myself [but] I can use any of them yah, inna night or day, cause me know me have fishing days when me can handle me self. Me can go any sea and come back,” he said.

According to the Meteorological Service of Jamaica, Tropical Storm Melissa continues to very slowly drift north-northwestward over the central Caribbean and towards Jamaica. Current projections are for Melissa to be near Jamaica as a hurricane during the weekend and possibly throughout early next week.

The weather service urged small craft operators, including fishers from the cays and banks, to be in port by now and complete their necessary safety precautions without delay.

Having experienced many storms before, Whimsy is taking heed of the advisories.

“Every time the hurricane come you have to draw the boat them up because once the hurricane come, them can’t stay inna the sea. All sea a come all up yah so during the major part of the storm or hurricane, because a low-lying, but as it done and pass the place good again,” he said.