Yahneake Sterling, Staff Reporter

These residents of Port Royal were not too concerned with the impending storm as they took time out to do some fishing yesterday. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

The seaside town of Port Royal was not its usual busy self yesterday morning, but some doubtful residents were seen fishing and swimming in the calm sea of the fishing village.

Dark clouds hung over the historic town, threatening to send showers, but the saying 'every cloud has a silver lining' rung true as the sun smiled occasionally.

Claude Hunt, a resident of Port Royal for 61 years, was seen relaxing by the seaside. He told The Gleaner he had done no preparations for 'Ernesto' as he did not believe the storm would affect the town.

"Storm! It nah trouble wi. Dat a travel more north, man," he said convincingly.

"Mi watch CNN and if it was travelling faster we would have to prepare, but with this speed it's going to pass us, all wi getting is some rain," he added.

Swimming

As seagulls swooped down for an afternoon snack, several children were seen swimming, diving off a boat and fishing on the pier. One fishing boat was even seen coming in from sea.

Over by the popular seafood restaurant, Gloria's, business was not buzzing, one employee pointed out. "Bwoy, normally yuh can't count the number of people dat come on a Sunday," Robert White told The Gleaner. "Sunday is one of the busiest day, I guess the hurricane scare off the people."

However, at least a dozen faithful patrons were determined to enjoy their usual Sunday brunch and seated themselves under the tent awaiting their sumptuous meal.

Constable Stephanie Brown was seen keenly watching the weather report on CNN when The Gleaner entered the Port Royal Police Station. When asked about the level of preparedness for the area, she said police personnel were there in numbers to respond to any emergencies that may arise.

"We have everything that we are supposed to have, our storm equipment, our lanterns and everything," she said.

Most residents, she explained, were unwilling to leave the area as they said they had nowhere to go. Fishermen had secured their boats closer to shore.

"They said during 'Ivan' they went to the stadium and the facility was not good so they prefer to stay and secure their property," she said.