Tesi Johnson, Gleaner Writer

Photographer Howard Moo-Young (left) is embraced by a saucy wench, Marie Colbin, at Buccaneer Bash 2006, on the Caribbean Queen, hosted on Saturday, September 30, by the Kingston and St. Andrew branch of the Jamaica Red Cross. Moo-Young's works were among those up for grabs in the silent auction, at the party.

"All aboard!" called DJ Squeeze, and the pirates and wenches filled the upper and lower decks of the Caribbean Queen and took off sailing, while merrily swilling grog and nibbling grub as they revelled with the Kingston and St. Andrew arm of the Jamaica Red Cross at their 2006 Buccaneer Bash.

Even a lone wharf dog tried to get in on the fun, but a 8:30 p.m. the ramp was withdrawn and the patrons proceeded to really take the words of the song to heart, and Rock the Boat to the mixing mastery of Squeeze for four straight hours. Earlier on, the soca hits boomed across Kingston Harbour, with the seamen and women getting 'basodee' to songs such as, Allison Hinds' Roll it gal. Later on, Squeeze delved into recently released hits, such as Shakira's Hips don't lie and even a few rounds of Tony Matterhorn's Dutty Wine.

GUESTS WERE REWARDED

The most imaginative guests were rewarded for the ingenuity of their costumes with 'Most Debonair Pirate' going to Paul Bitter, 'Best Wench' to Jennifer Blancaflor, Ellen Papp earned the title 'Sexiest Wench', 'Best Female Pirate' was won by Marie Colbin, 'Most Rugged Pirate' by Winston 'Spoogie' Samuels, and George and Hilda Kawass emerging as the 'Best Couple'.

On the upper deck, meanwhile some partied, others placed their bids in a silent auction. Up for grabs were works of art by Wassi Art, Susan Shirley, Norma Harrack; jewellery from Garth Sanguinetti; photographs by Howard Moo-Young and airline flights and resort weekends. Also on the upper deck was a memorial for fallen mate, Pete Clough, who was involved in staging the event, but passed away only last month. Sitting above a treasure chest was a photograph of the late Clough, with a plaque that read "out o' sight but ne'er out o' mind."

Among the patrons at the Red Cross' swashbuckling shindig was: Chairman of the KSA arm of the Jamaica Red Cross, Abe Kawass; Donnie Bunting and Jennifer Blancaflor; Howard Moo-Young; Marie Colbin; Jennifer Kawass; Betty Millingen; Godfrey and Beverly Kawass; Malaika Wint; Doris Gordon; Paul Bitter; Carlos Maxbrown, whose Carlos Cafe donated the prize of a dinner date to one of the best costume winners; Ellen and Gernot Papp; Drs. Anita and Jaslin Salmon; Beverly Levy; Paul Hannah and George Habib.