There Are No Roads...

Do you know how groceries get to the store? By trucks! And trucks get the groceries at depots where other trucks have brought them from farms. And trucks need drivers...qualified and dependable drivers. But more importantly, drivers with their trucks full of goods need roads to get where they are going.

In the South Pacific, where there are literally thousands of islands, there are no roads connecting them... only water.

Water surrounds them and separates them. Some are separated by a mile or two, others by hundreds of miles. Some of these island nation groups have at least one large island with area large enough for an airport and shipping port to receive all sorts of goods for regular supply or to act as a hub of distribution in times of natural disasters. Some of the smaller islands are large enough for a tiny airstrip... many are not. They are dotted and scattered, some close enough to larger islands to receive regular visits from government and supply boats. Some, however, are so remote they may only get a visit from a government boat once a year. Most of these governments are very limited in resources and if the boats are in need of repair it can take months to fix or get parts. Some are never repaired, which means some of the smaller islands may not receive the small amount of help that they have come to depend upon.

While during disasters the supplies to help these communities can be made available from other countries such as Australia and New Zealand, they can only be brought as far as the larger islands, and this is where the disconnect happens. The recent March 16^th hurricane in Vanuatu is a prime example. It is a monumental task to get resources to the aid of people who live on the opposite side of this island and also those within its interior regions. As you can see from the map of this area, that is pictured above, it is very difficult to get resources and aid to many of these islands.Small boats and small aircraft can only carry so much and are very limited. It can take weeks to get aid to many of these people on the closest islands and even longer for the ones furthest out in that particular chain. People run out of food and water, while they are living with the devastation that surrounds them.  Sadly, many can die as a result of injuries or disease simply because no one can reach them in time.

The resources are there, the rescue and medical teams are there... the lack of adequate transportation is the problem. Fortunately, our vessel is the perfect fit for this need. This area is in dire need of vessels such as ours, large enough to carry necessities but small enough to navigate the varying depths of water that lie between the islands. This vessel is essential and can mean the difference over time between life and death directly and indirectly for countless thousands.

Quick update: Prepping for Phase II

DJ and Eric are in the planning stages for redoing the electrical and plumbing systems. DJ is drawing up a new design to simplify both systems and make them as energy efficient as possible. The ministry will be purchasing the needed components shortly and shipping them to the boat. There are items in the storage units in Sanford that will also be needed for these upgrades as well as tools, equipment and wood items for beginning the wood-shop and will be transported by U-Haul. Eric and Mary will be planning their trip with the U-Haul as soon as Eric can get a week or so off from his job here in Sanford.

Due to the nature of the work we will be doing in the South Pacific we need to be as self- sufficient and self-contained as possible. Our goal is to remain on the move, doing as much work as possible, for as many people and islands as possible, for as long as possible. The simpler the systems, the easier they will be to maintain.