After a rough overnight trip to Les Cayes due to agitated seas, the M/V SeaHunter arrived and set anchor just off Ile-a-Vache, an island to our immediate south. The rough seas continue so taking the tender ashore is too risky. We have set a meet for tomorrow morning at 8:00 AM to discuss plans with all concerned parties.
Found out this morning that President Preval was made aware of our situation and that he intervened giving the SeaHunter permission to offload the ten containers at Miragoane. Guess he saw how stupid and short-sighted customs was being. Unfortunately, this is not an isolated case as Soledad O'Brien reported on CNN yesterday. Too late, though, as the ship was already here. They can now drop off two big units, a medical unit and a water purification system, at Miragoane on their way home.
I'll be real happy when this is over but probably not as happy as the crew of the SeaHunter who must be getting anxious to go home to Maine. Stay tuned for another episode of the never-ending saga of the SeaHunter.
My Lord - could there really be an end in sight. President Preval needs to issue orders to all the customs officials that this will no longer be the mode of operation.
ReplyDeleteWith all the help Haiti needs to rebuild they better clear this situation up in all of Haiti fast.
Will you manage to get the actual containers?...or only the contents? You had to "cannibalize" those containers to make a warehouse. Replacements would be nice.
ReplyDeleteHuge happy thoughts for a safe off-loading and transfer.
ReplyDeleteI did see the CNN report and my reaction was "so why give?" I'm sure others had the same reaction. I wonder if that customs agent had any idea of how many people he would be reaching with his behavior. Talk about killing the goose that lays the golden egg.
ReplyDeleteGreetings from Diane, friend of Sea Hunter team in Maine--
ReplyDeletePlease excuse this method of coordination, but I well realize that Greg Brooks has his hands full, so I reach out to you directly. I have immediate need of putting you in touch with a friend in Maine who wants to donate 450 special personal water filters. Please contact ADAM (addr follows) to organize this donation (for Pwoje Espwa and/or others in Haiti who may need them), and let him know Diane referred you. I will let Adam explain the urgent timing needed.
Kind regards & best of luck,
Diane
Please contact--
Adam@GNetwork.org
The water filter straw--
http://www.aquasafestraw.com/products/aquasafestraw
Wow!!!! Finally, the President of Haiti is being made aware of the problems with inefficient ;) officials. By now, I hope that you have received the goods from the heroic crew of the Sea Hunter. I also hope that they are able to deliver to Miragoane. They have gone above & beyond in their dedication. Bless them all.
ReplyDeleteBlessed be, Jean K