June 1st Launch for Sea Bridge Remote Island Recovery and Rebuilding Program

June 1st is the official launch date of our Sea Bridge Remote Island Recovery and Rebuilding Program and activity in Fiji has reached high gear.

The next wave of Sea Mercy's Disaster Recovery Fleet has just passed Minerva Reef south of Fiji and is set to arrive in Vanuabalavu, Fiji on May 25th. They have had light winds and calms seas for most of their journey along with some rain showers. You can continue to follow their progress at Yachts-In-Transits . Jonathan and Donna Robinson are leading the fleet so look for CHEZ NOUS under "Boat Updates". 

Our new landing craft should be completed around the time the fleet arrives and will help immensely with the recovery efforts. Another huge "THANK YOU" to our donor and to Cobra Boats for all their hard work!! We are still looking for the perfect name for this vessel and you can submit your suggestions by commenting on this post. 

Our first two large projects are currently being organized and are in need of funding and volunteers. Please visit the links below to read about the details of the projects and help spread the word.

Makogai School Rebuilding Project

Batiki Island Rebuilding Projects

Help Us Name Her! Sea Mercy's Sea Bridge Landing Craft - 2 weeks from Launch!

Our deepest appreciation for the overtime hours that Dave Bloxham & his incredible team at Cobra Boats have been putting in to get our dedicated light transport ready for the June 1st launch of our Sea Bridge Remote Island Recovery and Rebuilding program for Fiji. The Landing Craft gives Sea Mercy and our volunteers the ability to deliver the lumber, roofing, equipment, concrete, water tanks, and heavy supplies that are so desperately needed on the remote islands.

Now we need your help in finding the perfect name for her! Put your suggestions as a comment and we will take all serious entries into consideration (just no "Boaty McBoatface"). J 

Our thanks to everyone for their support of the Emergency Response efforts and now our Sea Bridge for Fiji recovery program. Please share what Sea Mercy is doing with your friends.

Sea Bridge Program: http://www.seamercy.org/fijirecovery
Makogai School Project: http://www.seamercy.org/makogai

First Sea Bridge Program - Makogai School Project (Lomaiviti Group)

With the Landing Craft just weeks away from completion, we are preparing for the first official Sea Bridge project in the eastern Lomaiviti Group on the remote island of Makogai. As the below pictures demonstrate, the school and supporting facilities were destroyed and the children are currently meeting in an open tent for classes.

The people in the village were huddled in the school during the worst part of Cyclone Winston (it was the only building in the village still standing) and then the roof and walls failed. It was a horrible moment and the children and families are still emotionally recovering from the ordeal.

Ian & Wendy Shields (S/V Outsider) will be leading the efforts and a small fleet of Sea Mercy volunteer vessels and teams of international volunteers will be joining them to help rebuild their school. The Sea Bridge Landing Craft will be delivering the lumber, roofing, concrete, tools, and building supplies from Suva to Makogai island.

Our international team will be setting up camp next to the school and will work together with the local villagers to make the school better than before ‪#‎strongerthanwinston.

If you would like to join us as a Sea Bridge volunteer or to learn more about our projects, go to: http://www.seamercy.org/fijirecovery
Spread the word!

Please keep the people of Fiji, our captains, vessels and volunteers in your thoughts and prayers.

Sea Mercy