From PO Jess Bell in Port Vila:

Sorry we cannot make the Awards Dinner. It would be so lovely to come!

Our main business is supporting large yachts. As cruisers ourselves, we have always enjoyed the interaction with small yachts as well. When the cyclone hit, we became a bit of a gathering point for yachties wanting to help. There were a few of us; John Ivey and John Robinson of Sea Mercy, Anne and Eric Simmons from Tourism Vanuatu and Yacht Reflections and Dave and Lynn Colbert from Butterfly Trust and yacht Rireana.

We all quickly realised that lack of information and logistics were the two largest challenges we could help with. We worked together to form a network to share information and deliver goods and services to the hard to reach islands.

Sea Mercy focussed on Medical Assistance. We focussed on water. Butterfly Trust did a bit of everything. Each yacht that came focused on what their expertise was and all the yachts helped with the sharing of information and delivering of life saving and life helping items.

It was quite remarkable to see how the yachts could help. There were many large aid organizations here but they were really struggling to get accurate information and delivery of items was very expensive. The yachts were valuable because the same set of eyes were looking at different places so assessments of which areas were in the most desperate state could be submitted. We could then suggest to other yachts where to visit and what could be taken that would be of most use.

The other value of yachts is that the help continued over months. When a disaster hits, the recovery period is very long. Even now, one year post Pam, many villages still are without roofs, gutters, and crops.

We hope many more yachts will come this year, to both cruise our beautiful country but also to give a hand where needed.

Wita Aid came out of our desire to share information and provide fresh water. As we cruised the country just after the cyclone we realised there were very real water needs. We reported this information back to the WASH cluster which was the Water and Sanitation/ Hygiene Group. We quickly realised they were not going to be able to help with the immediate water needs. We made a proposal for a shallow draft, sturdy boat with some desalination units on-board. Our proposal as accepted by one of the large yachts that had visited and by July we were out delivering water. It was very much needed. We are still delivering water now, one year after the cyclone because of the very serious drought we have experienced. We have now delivered 2 million litres of fresh water.

It’s been a long and bumpy road but one that is very meaningful and rewarding. We have met so many lovely people in the process and seen so many beautiful parts of the country we didn’t know existed.

Hopefully that all makes sense. I’m happy to expand on anything if needed.

Kind regards,

Jess

Vice Commodore, OCC 

Darramy on tour No 26: Vanuatu, Loyalty Isles, New Caledonia and NSW Australia
July 2015 – January 2016
ENJOY B)
Click on the file attachments below (BLUE)
www.oceancruisingclub.org/media/kunena/attachments/780/DarramyontourNo26PDF.pdf

Vice Commodore, OCC 

I am sure you are aware of the considerable contributions made by OCC members to the recovery effort in Vanuatu after the devastation caused by Cyclone Pam last year. My wife, Donna and I were involved through the charity Sea Mercy and are now continuing their work as volunteer coordinators.

In addition to their ongoing Disaster Response and Floating Healthcare Fleets, Sea Mercy is launching a "Global Mercy Armada" program. This year the destination is the Lau Group Fiji. We are looking for volunteers.

Please see:
http://www.seamercy.org/GMA

Both the Island Cruising Association and the Seven Seas Cruising Association have offered their assistance and I would be most grateful if the OCC would consider promoting this cause through your newsletters and eBulletins.

Please contact me if you have any suggestions.

Yours,

Jonathan Robinson
s/v CHEZ NOUS

Vice Commodore, OCC 

> Attached is a summary document for our first trip around the islands
> that you may find of interest. The web site is currently up to date
> to our arrival back in Port Vila a week ago.
>
> http://caduceus+diary-747756@mailasail.com
>
> Best wishes,
> Martin and Elizabeth
>
[attachment=249]150630Junesummaryto10JulyCaduceusVanuatu.pdf[/attachment]


> Martin and Elizabeth Bevan
> Caduceus
> Port Vila, Vanuatu
> On a medical aid mission supporting the Butterfly Trust in Vanuatu

Vice Commodore, OCC 

OCC Member Tom Partridge has written an article about surviving the high winds of Cyclone Pam and provides tips on preparation.

http://forum.oceancruisingclub.org/topic1370-how-to-survive-strong-winds--accounts-and-tips.aspx
edited by Saltwhistle III on 9/9/2017

Vice Commodore, OCC 

An update from Darramy who sailed from Fiji to Vanuatu and joined Sea Mercy in delivering assistance to the cyclone ravaged islands.

https://liveicomgrshot.blob.core.windows.net/occfiles/Archive/media/kunena/attachments/780/DarramyontourNo25withPicturespdf.pdf

Vice Commodore, OCC 

This is an update of the wanderings of Caduceus.

We arrived in Port Vila, the capital of Vanuatu a week ago after a 7 day and
1,100 nm passage from Opua in New Zealand. Despite earlier misgivings we
had absolutely no hassle clearing in with Biosecurity, Customs and
Immigration.

With the assistance of the Butterfly Trust and a lot of work by Elizabeth
she is now fully accredited by the Vanuatu Ministry of Health to practice
medicine in the islands. The focus of our time here has developed from our
original somewhat vague ideas into the provision of medical aid and
assistance in various remote communities where there may be a nurse or they
may rely on what amount to locally trained first aiders. We will be running
clinics and have also been asked to perform school medical inspections so
that we can report back on the general health of the children. Elizabeth has
downloaded The Oxford Handbook of Tropical Medicine onto her iPad which has
become her bedtime reading; nothing like a good bit of clinical detail to
help you sleep.

We arrived with a boat stuffed with clothes, household goods and some
medicines and equipment that we had purchased in New Zealand. Through
contacts that we have made in the Ministry of Health, The World Health
Organisation, The Vanuatu Women 's Medical Federation, The Presbyterian
Church of Vanuatu and others we have subsequently put together a fairly
formidable dispensary that covers eventualities from malaria through
leprosy to pregnancy and obstetrics with a lot of general infections in
between. All of this has been achieved at little or no expense on our
funds, it has just taken a little time and patience.

This afternoon we visited to a lady running "Aid to Vanuatu" and who is
bringing in containers full of donations of all sorts of things from
Australia. From her semi-unpacked containers we acquired an eclectic range
of items from hand cranking torches to reading and writing course books for
schools to 200 tins of tuna and 90kg of rice. For those old enough but not
too old to remember them, we bear a strong resemblance to wombles. The boat
is now definitely at capacity and we require to distribute before we
acquire anything else.

Having got this far and made the contacts that we have, our original plan to
stay a month has gone out of the window. Our first trip out from Port Vila
is likely to be 3 to 4 weeks. Following an assessment of how that went we
will be better placed to plan a further round trip and also to make a
decision as to how best to apply the balance of the funds that we have so
generously had donated.

Life is far from dull, oh and whilst it is winter it is tropically hot with
a regular dowsing of rain. Tomorrow we leave Port Vila and head north. It
will be good to get on with the task in hand.

Our blog has a big hole covering our wanderings through New Zealand during
the period November 2014 to April 2015 but is up to date after that. The
period of September - October last year gives some detail of our last visit
to Vanuatu which prompted our return.

http://blog.mailasail.com/caduceus


Martin Bevan
Caduceus
Heading North from Port Vila, Vanuatu

We are again relying on satellite communications for email
Please do not hit reply and send us what we sent you and if possible
send your message as plain text to keep message size down

Vice Commodore, OCC 

Hello Sea Mercy Friends & Volunteers,

Special Request/Notice:

Because Fiji is a more recognized destination in the South Pacific, the majority of Sea Mercy 's Floating Health Care Clinic volunteers are opting to serve in Fiji, leaving the remote islands of Tonga in desperate need of assistance. To bring the same hope to these incredible remote islands and balance our rotations, we are reducing the Tonga rotation costs by $745 to encourage volunteers to join a 2-week rotation in Tonga this year. At only $1,250* (vs. the standard $1,995), this is an incredible opportunity to sail the South Pacific and share your talents.
* Our thanks to Captain David Lawn of Sea Angel who offered this price reduction

Click here to learn more about the special rate! There are only a limited number of volunteer slots available for this unique opportunity (openings in July through October), so Register Today to reserve your 2-weeks on our Floating Health Care Clinic (sailing catamaran Sea Angel) in Tonga. I know this is short notice, but even if you can 't go, please share this incredible opportunity with any friends or co-workers who you feel could help make a difference.

Disaster Relief in Vanuatu Update: We have three DR vessels working in the Southern Tafea Province and two more heading to the central Shefa Province. You can follow their activities and impact here (http://www.seamercy.org/node/172).

Thank you for your help and support. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us right away via email or phone.

All the best to you,

Richard Hackett
President & Founder
Sea Mercy
www.seamercy.org
info@seamercy.org
541-935-5846

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Vice Commodore, OCC 

Update from Brian and Sue s/v Darramy -- I let them know that this post is linked in from the OCC Home page as well.


Hi Daria,

Wanted to update stuff on the Vanuatu situation. We are now in
Emai 17 '02S 168.22E
33% of the Sea Mercy 2nd fleet.

This is what I have sent out to fellow cruisers, and got it mentioned on the two nets that operate in this area of the Pacific. Southern Cross net 8191 at 20.00 UTC and The Vanuatu net 8230 20.30 UTC

Be good if you could put on Forum, my only concern with this topic, it is a fair way down the list of stuff on the Forum, is there any way it can be brought higher up again as there is a great need of support needed for these people. And there are now many new visitors (cruisers) coming through the area

Brian C Wallace

Hi Folks
Just a little update for you. We have now visited a couple of remote villages, and from a cruisers perspective have ascertained certain needs that all cruisers can possibly do to help.

Today we went about 8km to a village as we heard their boat was damaged. 6km by truck for which we gave them diesel and 2km walk as road still blocked with fallen trees.

Tomorrow we go back (although Sunday, we have been permitted to work) to this remote village of about 10 people. They have an aluminium dinghy for fishing. We are going to repair it. Mastic (5100) rivets screws. We hope to be able to get this boat in the water quickly so the village can catch fish for them to eat and also sell to other villages.

Many cruisers we have met in Fiji and here in Vanuatu want to know what they can bring to help. Well although we understand that all aid brought in would be taxed as an import. Realistically a bit of resin and fibreglass matt, and mastic could all be boat supplies, and a few kg of roofing nails won 't go amiss.

So although this is my own personal take on it, I suggest cruisers who want to help in the rebuilding of the lives in remote villages carry fibre glass stuff, mastic and some fishing line and hooks. These folks need to to get their boats back in the water. 100mm (4inch) twisted roofing nails are in need everywhere. Not expensive in Port Vila, but bloody useful in any village.

The only thing to watch out for is because of the cultural way the villages work, you can 't just give to a family. All stuff goes through the chief or the Community Disaster Committee. We have found in our short experience that they have many needs, but here are a couple that maybe a few of cruisers finding a need can help without putting the larger Aid organizations noses out of place.

Please mention this on the SSB and local VHF radio nets to make fellow cruisers aware of the needs. I can do a better update later, but would love that people heard our take on our short experience out here.

We all like to do our bit. These people are lovely and don 't expect a lot, but their faces light up when we visit. We don 't make promises we can 't keep. They have had many people with clip boards assessing and more following to check on the first assessment. The large organizations seem quite bureaucratic (and maybe they have to be), but we can fill a gap.

Any help is genuinely received, just accept their cultural differences. Hey isn 't that part of cruising.

Cheers

Brian and Sue
Darramy Part of the Sea Mercy Relief fleet seamercy.org for any donations

Vice Commodore, OCC 

An Update from the RRCs for the Pacific...

John and David,

An update for the Commodore and RRC Liaison.

Having waited in Opua for a weather window that would give winds from
somewhere other than on the nose and in not too big a quantity we appear to
be off tomorrow, 17 May 2015, for Port Vila.

We have had some excellent support in our mission from the Butterfly Trust
(They have an interesting web site), based in Auckland who have specialised
over a number of years in assisting the communities in South Malakula and
the Maskelyne Islands. These are the some of the areas that we visited last
year and to which we wish to return. We have a boat full of good, clean and
sorted second hand clothes, household items, children 's books for the
schools, old sails, rope and a myriad of other bits and pieces that should
prove useful. We also have medical equipment from the Butterfly Trust that
we are to deliver. Most of what we have on board has been donated or
acquired at very little cost - the bags from a Chinese shop containing the
sorted clothes are probably one of the largest expenses to date but will
make handling down the line much easier. We are therefore in the happy
situation of having a reasonable amount of cash in the kitty in order to
purchase bulk food, tools and fixings after we have arrived in Port Vila and
cleared in.

Our port officers in Whangarei, Mary Berg, and Nina Kiff in Opua have been
very supportive and helpful. Mary and Dave 's boat was just along the
pontoon from us in the dock in Whangarei and they were a mine of useful
information. Nina appeared with a box of medical dressings obtained by her
daughter and which are expensive in New Zealand. I regret that I did not get
a photograph of Caduceus dressed overall with donated babygrows that we
laundered.

It should take us about a week to eight days get to Vanuatu. Allowing for a
few days in Port Vila entering and leaving we should be able to get three
clear weeks on the ground. We are getting a steady stream of information
back from boats that are already on station and who are sharing their
experiences. Tom Partridge has been particularly helpful in the planning
stages.

The other saga has been getting Elizabeth accredited by the Ministry of
Health to exercise her medical skills under the banner of the Butterfly
Trust. In addition to references from some eminent UK based surgeons we
have the GMC sending letters giving proof of good standing to the MoH. The
final twist two days ago was a new, as of this week, requirement to have
police clearance. Fortunately Elizabeth was cleared it the UK two years ago
when she volunteered to go into our local school to listen to children
reading; the school were able to produce the necessary information. And we
thought that it was just a matter of loading up the boat and going. We have
been on an interesting, frustrating at times and valuable learning curve.
Lynn of the Butterfly Trust has been working miracles on our behalf however,
several days ago she advised us that she felt we should give up trying with
the accreditation but she had not allowed for Elizabeth 's determination when
faced with a challenge.

I suspect that the actual operation on the ground may be easier than the
preparation.

Regards,
Martin and Elizabeth

Martin Bevan
Caduceus
Opua, North Island, New Zealand

Vice Commodore, OCC