After a four-week deployment in Jamaica to restore power following Hurricane Melissa in 2025, a second team of linemen from St. Lucia Electricity Services Limited (LUCELEC) has returned home.
The team went at the request of Jamaica Public Service (JPS) to help rebuild sections of the island’s electrical network damaged by the storm. This was part of a regional response through the CARILEC Disaster Assistance Programme, which mobilises skilled personnel and resources after natural disasters.
This group was mainly newly certified linemen, led by LUCELEC Equipment Maintenance Supervisor Michael Ambrose, who said the assignment offered valuable practical experience not typically available at home.
Explaining the rationale behind their selection, he said, “They got their certificates two years ago… we don’t have that kind of work where our linemen are exposed to pole climbing on a daily basis,” noting that it was important for them “to get that level of exposure and have that experience to understand fully what the lineman job is all about”.
Ambrose praised the team’s cohesion and professionalism throughout the demanding assignment. He noted their Jamaican counterparts gave overwhelmingly positive feedback, saying, “Our team was really united. They loved our work ethic,” which showed the group’s commitment to daily tasks.
Ambrose admitted the work was not easy but highlighted the team’s resilience. “The work was challenging, difficult, but the team for me… kept me motivated all the time because they were at it every day and ready to go every day,” he said, adding that “the hospitality from the JPS Team was excellent.”
For newly certified lineman Johan Stephen, the deployment was his first time participating in hurricane recovery efforts outside Saint Lucia. He described it as a significant learning experience.
John Daniel, who was part of the first LUCELEC team deployed to Jamaica after the hurricane, recalled the intensity of the initial response phase, noting especially demanding conditions due to the damage.
“It was tough because since we went up directly after the hurricane, we met a lot of difficulties… a lot of the real restoration work to rebuild the line, rebuild the network,” Daniel said.
LUCELEC’s continued participation in regional disaster response efforts shows its commitment to strengthening technical capacity and fostering Caribbean cooperation, officials say.
