This spring in March and April, 2009, OceansWatch Director Donna Lange visited Haiti, Dominican Republic and other islands in the Caribbean to conduct advance planning for future projects. She conducted a needs assessment inventory which will be used to design projects to provide aid to schools, children, coastal communities and reef areas in this region. Projects will be designed for delivery on OceansWatch member yachts and project lead boats. To join in and get involved to help, to volunteer as crew, as a skipper or add your boat to the fleet for even a week or a month, please visit our Get Involved Action page.
CARIBBEAN Overview
The Caribbean is an archipeligo, 2,500 miles in length, and up to 1600 miles wide; the region contains more than 7,000 islands, islets, reefs, and cays. The population is 37.5 million people. Ethnic groups include African: Kongo, Igbo, Yoruba, Akan, Fon; Native American: Arawak, Carib, Tairo; European: Spanish, French, English, Portuguese, Dutch; Asian: Chinese, Indian. The governing bodies of these islands encompass 13 sovereign states, 2 overseas departments and 14 dependent territories tied to the European Union or to the United States.
The mission of OceansWatch worldwide has great potential in the Caribbean Islands as the migration of sailors from north to south with the seasons is well established allowing opportunity year after year for boats to be engaged in projects throughout the islands. OceansWatch hopes to provide the organization, support, guidelines, skills, training and networking community to facilitate life saving, life changing marine conservation and humanitarian aid projects. The ability of OceansWatch to link not only present sailors, but also those who would enjoy the sailing experience coupled with the opportunity to do humanitarian and ecological works in the islands is growing every day.
From March 23rd to April 15th, Donna used her yearly music tour to St Thomas to embark on a scounting investigation of the potential of OW in the Caribbean by going to Haiti and the Dominican Republic. The last 5 years has seen some changes in these islands as footholds have been made by those bringing educational support, training programs, ecological awareness and resources to the communities in some areas. The beauty of these programs specifically for OW is that they rely on volunteers that arrive from all walks of life from high school and college students to professionals. From medical, educational, engineering backgrounds, anyone who wants to lend a hand can join these projects.
Donna's trip was limited to just these islands, as they are amongst the neediest and a good representation of the needs of the islands in general. The goal of OW is to equip cruising sailors to evaluate each harbor into which they sail for future OW projects so we can reach every developing island in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and beyond.
If there was ever a time to add CARING to your cruising itinerary, it is now. Join OceansWatch today. We will be welcomed guests on these islands. With this open welcome comes a tremendous responsibility by sailors joining the OW project to act in an absolute appropriate manner while guests of the citizens of the Caribbean Islands. OW will provide thorough guidelines as to etiquette and local customs which will help to continue to make the visit of OW members welcomed by the island peoples. This integrity is vital to the continued success of all OW projects. Please JOIN Oceanswatch today as a land based volunteer or a yachty and let us help you gain the confidence, skills and support needed to give of your skills and caring heart while enjoying the most pristine harbors of the less traveled world. Join our OceansWatch Experiences whether in your own boat, along with a flotilla, sharing your boat with volunteers or by joining as a guest on an OceansWatch Charter boat. OW trained veteran sailors can simply add the OW project locations to their personal cruising itinerary. Everyone can join and get involved and volunteer whether as a land based volunteer or a yachtsperson. So many needs in OceansWatch require land based resources so everyone can join OceansWatch. Advanced preparation is needed and cooperation with project leaders so Join OW now and let your next cruise be one that will give you the gifts that caring brings.
Join us as we unite our passion to care with others around the world. Join, Donate, become a Volunteer for OceansWatch today.
