One of the ships used in the movie Pirates of the Caribbean.

Guardian reporter Joanne Briggs, second from right, takes a break with other journalists. In the background, one of the props used in the movie. Photos: David Wears

By Joanne Briggs

Lights...camera...action. The waters of St Vincent and the Grenadines have lured the Pirates of the Caribbean for a second take.

“Pirates only follow treasure,” said Minister of Tourism Renee Baptiste.

The set is ready at Barroulie, the first French capital of the island. It is the same location the crew used when the first Pirates of the Caribbean, starring Johnny Depp, was produced.

In the hot sun, locals line up—not for acting jobs but for some opportunity to earn money. Minimum wage is EC$25 a day. On set, a local can earn as much as EC$150 a day.

The big picture could mean more for the country. Prime Minister Dr Ralph Gonsalves said St Vincent earned US$10 million from the first Pirates.

However, that significant amount may not be forthcoming this time around.

“The tourist season is almost to an end,” he explained two Mondays ago at the launch of Caribbean Sun flights to the island. But everything adds up, he said. Taxis, hotels, farmers will get in the act, since he believed that they have a role in all of this.

One of the chunkier roles is for owner of the Wallilabou Anchorage, where scenes for the Pirates sequel are being filmed. The first Pirates was also filmed at that venue.

Stephen Russell, son of a former Minister of Health Randolph Russell, looks like he is part of the cast. His head covered with a blue handkerchief knotted to the back, his short pony tail sticking out.

“We are all for employment,” he said. Cast and crew have full use of his property until May. However, he did not say how much he has been paid for the use of his premises.

The Anchorage is billed as a port of entry, moorings, restaurant and boutique. The props from the first Pirates of the Caribbean—wooden barrels, hay, wooden casks—remained part of the milieu which added more character to the place that is already rustic in appearance.

It was part of an estate owned by the McDonald Brothers who ran cassava mills on the mile and a half expanse of land near the water’s edge. The waterwheel is a reminder of the property’s history.

In the 70s, it was taken over by a man who adopted the Robinson Crusoe lifestyle—with bamboo structure and karat shed near the waterfront.

When Russell took over ownership in the 80s, the karat shed was converted to a restaurant and bar. He thinks the property was once occupied by Caribs, having found Amerindian artefacts including pottery and heads in his digging around.

With Pirates filming there, Russell said he plans to expand. At present, there are 12 rooms. However, he cannot say how many more will be added.

And while St Vincent gets the casting call, the island is transforming itself again.

Once known for its sugar and coconut exports, St Vincent is changing its course to other agricultural investments.

“Cheaper products (sugar and coconut/copra) are in South America,” Baptiste said. “It is just a shift, a diversification into other areas.”

The coconut estates are already abandoned, giving free reign to anyone who wishes to take what’s left of the produce.

On one estate which is not too far from the taping of the Pirates sequel, there is talk of using the acreages to develop a five-star hotel.

In the mean time, the revival of the arrowroot as a food thickener and raw material for computer paper, and ethnopharmacology, the use of local herbs for spa treatments, are in the forefront.

“We are working on getting the people of St Vincent to use the indigenous sector,” Baptiste said.