I have been meeting with the key leaders of groups on ILV. I am aiming to pilot a solar oven programme, a bakery project and a compost toilet system. I also plan to conduct surveys for medical work, and work with the schools. We are looking into developing education programs in business, marine management, forest management, and health promotion. My goal is to gather a team of families together to take on the solar ovens and create a solar oven bakery. This will involve working closely with the women on the island.

On deck with a boatload of supplies

I have a busy itinerary. Today I am trying to concentrate on communication as next week I’ll be travelling around the island, developing a close team for the solar oven solution here in ILV. I am enjoying the graciousness of Port Morgan a loaned Kayak to get in and out to my boat and the fabulously lovely folks here. I will also be looking for artisans to purchase art work for Bonnie and my shop in Bristol to help to develop opportunities for the locals.

Having a great time also. The ship “Star of the Sea’ is here. We had a great jam session and ate Paiai (a fabulous lobster rice dish). There is also a music festival here over the next couple of days so I’ll post some more photos up after that!

New projects are going forward. We are following up on Haiti relief for sustainable solutions …Keep an eye out. OW will be at the Newport Boatshow September 14-17 2010, signing up new members for the fall season for those sailing south and winter cruising season. We are looking for members interested in leading, developing projects and doing surveys during the upcoming season as hurricane season will pass…Any members interested in helping with administration, emailing, and building up the camaradarie of members!!! please get in touch.

We will have a gathering of any members in the New England area at the Newport Boatshow for a Jam on Saturday afternoon 2-6p. All sailors and non sailors interested in doing sustainable works or supporting these works in the developing islands of the Atlantic… Enjoy music, story telling, and a joining of spirits. Location at the Newport show TBA… We are moving ahead full steam. Plans for a presence at the Annapolis boatshow are being made.

There will also be a Jam at Sea Star Treasures Shop in Bristol RI on Wednesday evening before the show…5-7. Any sailors and members who want to stop by and see the headquarters of OWNA in New England, can stop by. We will have presentations and lots of information on the projects slotted for the fall and winter…

See you at the Boatshow…  RSVP or just come…

Captain Donna Lange
Executive Director www.oceanswatch.org/north-america/
donna@oceanswatch.org
1 401 323 1484
skype: inspiredinsanity; www.donnalange.com

On Saturday we loaded cargo bound for Haiti onto “Wild Iris”, a Valiant 40′.

Thousands of pounds or beans, rice, flour, sugar, yeast, grits, spaghetti, tomato sauce, powdered milk, canned food, soap, toothbrushes, reading glasses and much much more. Our most heartfelt thanks to all of the cruisers in George Town who donated food, supplies, cash and to the 15 or more people who showed up to help us load all for supplies.

Jim passes Bill the first box.

Loading Wild Iris

Also thanks to the Exuma Market for selling us food at their wholesale cost. Wild Iris plans to depart Sunday heading for Haiti, it ma be a week or more until able to update the blog, but will do so with pictures of the trip and and photos from Haiti.

Thanks to all the volunteers, many hands made it fast & easy.

Tuesday February 23

Today we begin preparing OW member vessel “Wild Iris” to sail for Haiti this coming Sunday.  At 11 am we held another OceansWatch informational meeting at Volleyball Beach where we meet with Exuma resident and Marine Ecologist Catherine Booker and talked about the harbor sanitation project and other water quality and marine resource issues.

Sequoia ordered 40 bags of 50 # each of rice, beans, flour, and grits along with some sugar and cooking oil from the Exuma Market. We will also buy as much milk powder as we have money to buy. The Exuma Market is selling food to us at wholesale cost to take to Haiti and many cruisers are donating food from their stores. The boat should be full when we sail.

Monday February 22

OceansWatch member vessel the Westsail 43 “Hiatus”, under command of Captain Dan Wever, and crewed by OceansWatch members Tory Field, Eric Hansen and Gino Muzzio, land in Haiti and unload their cargo of 6000# of beans, rice, flour, oil and medical supplies. They were met at the dock by the mayor, chief of police and father of the local mission running the refugee camps. OceansWatch Chief Medical Officer Dr. Biaggio Muzzio goes ashore to escort the medical supplies to the local hospital and volunteer his services.

Sunday February 21

First contacts with cruisers who get excited about OceansWatch and suggest that we have a meeting at Volleyball Beach right after the Sunday morning Beach Church service. Lee from Alesto2 gives me a ride to the beach, 15 people people show up for the meeting, most of them seriously interested to help. Paul and Honey invite me to lunch on Wild Iris, and then we go ashore fro a more formal meeting at the Peace and Pleanty, all working together on organizational ideas for supporting OceansWatch here in the Exumas.

Honey, Sequoia, Carl, Michael, Crystal & Paul at our first formal OceansWatch working meeting in George Town at the Peace & Plenty from 3-6 pm.

Friday 19 February

Captain Margaret rows ashore to Customs to clear us in, we all go ashore while Hiatus crew does some last minute looking at weather and provisioning. Hiatus weighs anchor around noon and sets sail for Haiti while Drummer decides to wait for the rest of the Conch Republic Navy fleet due to arrive within a few days. Sequoia makes an announcement on the George Town Cruisers net re OceansWatch and Sail Aid to Haiti and begins to make contacts with local residents and other cruisers.

Thursday 18 February

Arrive Georgetown 4 pm, Margaret rows ashore, meets up with Dan & Tory, no luck clearing in, too late as customs is closed. We invite the crew of Hiatus; Dan, Gino, Eric & Tory along with Kylie and Drew, friends of Drummer crew from a nearby boat and their sailing dog, to come over for a Potluck dinner on the spacious decks of Drummer. Good food, beer and rum for all. Celebrating the first half of the journey from Key West to Haiti, 400 miles done and 390 miles to go.

Wednesday 17 February

Arrive Nassau 6 am, anchor behind Hiatus. Captain Margaret & Capt. Dan go ashore and attempt to clear customs, but return unsuccessful. We have a meeting w/ Dan & the crew, decide to weigh anchor and head for Georgetown. Up anchors at noon, sail through the Exuma Banks (dodging many, many big ugly nasty coral heads), then over night south down Exuma Sound all night & day. Pretty good following wind, smooth sailing after we get through the channel and off of the Banks.