4th Trip to Haiti

We just left port for our fourth trip to Haiti. I'm looking forward to seeing and hearing about the developments on land. The crew members are excited to finally leave Lake Charles. Now we're getting back to the routine onboard. My watch is from 12-4 am/pm. Sleep is harder to come by - but I'm wide awake from 12-4 AM. It's easier to stay up than get up at 3:30 AM for the 4-8 AM watch. We're carrying the heaviest load yet.

The last two weeks in Lake Charles have been busy - with no days off... just too much to do. Hopefully the crew will catch up on rest and we'll settle in to the sea routine. I've heard that the water is around 80+ degrees near Haiti - not forgetting to mention the temperature on land 90's. I'm still trying to adapt. Bon Voyage for now!

Back from Haiti

The stern (aft part of the ship) & from the helicopter north of Port Au Prince, January 2010

I'm posting now because I've been given permission to discuss my experience onboard the ship...

We're back in Louisiana after completing three trips to Haiti. We still plan to make 4 or 5 more trips and will leave again soon.

Just last night I was reading that the U.S. pledged another 1.15 billion U.S. dollars at the Donor Conference to Haiti on April 2nd in addition to aid commitments totaling 10.3 billion from other countries, charities, and aid organizations. http://haiticonference.org/ Where will that money go? Will it get to the people in need or get lost in the political or elite malaise? Who's holding the Haitian government accountable? There is so much need at the ground level such as proper medicine, water, and shelter. Charity organizations continue the fight to get aid to the people.

Back on the ship...

While on the F/V Integrity my duties included standing watch as a lookout and helmsman 8-12 AM/PM, then 12-4 AM/PM, and on one leg in charge of the Steward's department - cleaning. It was hard getting more than 6 hours of sleep - but naps came in plentiful.

Haiti is a beautiful place. As we drove from the port through the small villages to the site, I was reminded of pictures I've seen of Africa. The people in Haiti seem happy. The shelters they call home are shanty's made from tarp, wood, cardboard or just about anything that they can use for a wall. Goats walk around with wooden triangles around their heads to keep them from getting stuck in fences. Young women and children wear worn out clothes and shoes. Sometimes clothing tops or bottoms are missing. I've never seen such poverty. On the 2 way road, we were passed on both sides if we went too slow. Either traffic laws don't exist, or they never get enforced. 5 people comfortably passed us on a motorcycle.

South of the site are 2 mass graves. The closest grave contains the remains of over 84,000 people. The death toll estimates are now between 250-300,000 people.

The site that the Sea Hawks set up alongside Sumeritan's Purse (Franklin Graham's organization) is working out well. It's beautiful and sheltered (out of Port Au Prince) and overlooks the sea. Many of the humanitarian organizations have requested Friend Ships' Sea Hawk assistance in helping deliver food to the people. Friend Ships is now working with over 50 aid organizations. http://www.friendships.org

Bay area near Port Au Prince