Boats in the Area
Please check in and list your boat (s) name, coordinates, what radio freq used, and travel plans, so that others may reach you to share navigational or other information and in case of emergency. Also, you can post or privately send me any email addresses of onshore contacts, so that I can obtain reports from them.
View the link on "Boats in the Area" for a general maps and positions of boats.
posted by birdieee at Monday, April 04, 2005
39 Comments:
The most common radio frequencies used by boats running relief are:
80810 and 81010
Electric Lamb Mission on THE BATAVIA
You may also contact our team in Indonesia:
Rick Cameron (by satellite connection to our mother ship the Batavia):
+873 763 931 644
rick@electriclamb.org
Rick Cameron, mobile phone (intermittent access):
+62 8126627884
Jane Liddon, mobile phone (daily access):
+61 428381275
jane@electriclamb.org
We may be reached by email at: info@electriclamb.org
Rick and Jane are onboard our mothership the Batavia. Their numbers and emails will be checked every day. However, as they are using a satellite phone and modem, please keep all communication with them brief. Thanks.
4/3/05
KM Batavia is heading towards Simeulue after departing Krueng Raya 0900 this morning. We have a 15 person medical team on board plus over 120 tons of tents, water, food, tarps, lumber, fixings and tools essential in an emergency situation. Please let me know if we can help any communities where the aid is not getting in. We dont need a port and can land 20-30 tons of aid a day using 4 beach skiffs capable of carrying over one ton each. We have motor bikes and 3 wheelers to reach inland villages.
Rick Cameron
http://www.electriclamb.org
rick@electriclamb.org
+873 763 931 644
Chris Scurrah on the ASIA left Padang 4/2 and is headed through the Telos up to Nias and the Banyaks. Arriving back in Padang, 4/16.
Contactable only on HF 80810 isb
Will know about smaller islands and villages, and will have reports on uplift and subsidence
a U.S. hospital ship, the USNS Mercy, was expected to arrive in the Nias vicinity late Monday and start treating patients on Tuesday, said Capt. Rick Morrison, the deputy surgeon for the U.S. Pacific fleet who is helping coordinate the ship's medical mission.
ASU ISLAND 90% damage.
NUALI medical ship of Surf Aid International anchored.
Surf Aid International' medical ships :
SARANYA : Gunungsitoli harbor, AUSaid team aboard, treating people and serving as an alternate city hospital.
KATIKA : arriving in G.sitoli 31 march morning local time. 70% medical team + 3MT food supplies
EQUATOR MERMAID : supplying in Sibolga. Waiting medical staff and supplies from AUSaid 1st april.
NUALI : supplying in Sibolga. Waiting medical staff and supplies from AUSaid 1st april.
'Howu-Howu' :
'Sumatran Surfariis' ship ASIA will bring supplies from Padang to Telukdalem by next sunday.
'MIKUMBAH' ship :
Where are you guys ? Let us know your *current* and *planned* positions + activities. Captain sat phone : 310.482.1974
You would be useful scouting around Simeulue. You can dock at Baneng island surf camp or Sinabang harbor
as of april 1st
Surf Aid International' team on its way to West coast (by land ?) :
Teupah barat, Simeulue tengah, Salang, Alafan districts.
SAI was there already for two months January/February : they have insider's knowledge of the area.
* 'Surfzone Relief Operation' (SRO) :
MIKUMBA ship planned to come along the coast (no dateline known).
Will be joined by SJALINA ship from Sibolga.
Both will possibly charter horses for land transportation.
SIMEULUE
Reefs up-lifted all along the coastline. All harbors accessible.
'SRO' ship MIKUMBA is loading in Padang, about to sail to Simeulue's West coast. Looking at the possibility of bringing horses onboard "to see if it's feasible".
Call captain Matt in Padang fixed phone : 081363062412.
01 Indonesian Navy ship, TELUK SIBOLGA, left 02 april to Simelue Island (Sinabang ?). Tents, instant noodles, salty fish and sugar.
'USNS Mercy' (US Navy hospital ship) to anchor off Nias coast (G.sitoli ?) for 45 days. Stopover in Sibolga 05 april to pick-up staff and run :
03 operating rooms. 05 ICU (intensive care unit) beds, 45 regular beds, X-ray suites, laboratories and CAT-scan equipment.
'USNS Niagara Falls' (US Navy combat stores ship) will come along MERCY for the mission of replenishment at sea (RAS). 02 helicopters aboard.
The call code is to display the flags November - Echo - Kilo - Juliet.
Both US Navy ships can be called on marine radio VHF, channel 16.
Howu-Howu' team in Sibolga leaving 05 april evening local time for T.dalem with a 40 tons shipment :
25 tons rice,
07 tons sugar,
noodles,
ikan kaleng and water,
first aid supplies,
generator and
sat phone.
Sat phone n° of HH coordinator (T.dalem area) : 086811020621.
United Nations' run 02 ferry boats between Sibolga and Gunungsitoli
Surf Aid International is providing six boats to transport humanitarian goods on Nias. Coordinated by Mr. Eric Lee: 0813 632 39216 or 0812 6634 556.
Birdie, we are anchored at Tepak island about 5nm from Gusong Bay and wondered how best to contact Seimoa. Have been calling on VHF 16 but no luck so far.
Assume they are on 8101.0 USB?
Weather is foul with 25+knot squalls from the NW and heavy rain.
We are running medical clinics and deepening a trial well to try to understand watertable changes after the uplifting in this area. We measure more than 2m at this location and it is downright weird to see it. Will be posting photos soon on www.electriclamb.org
No wonder the locals are totaly traumatized but this situation.
Waves in this area are said to be destroyed by the uplift.
R
All, Batavia currently anchored at Pulau Tepak on the South coast of Simeulue. Just completed a medical clinic on the island. Treated 159 but no life threatening problems. Radical uplift in this area. Estimate 2+m
april 8
NIAS
Gunung Sitoli
+_The charter boat Asia is due to take over as the SurfAid logistics command post in Gunung Sitoli. Asia will depart Padang, West Sumatera, for Gunung Sitloi tomorrow (April 8) and will replace the Sjarali.
+ The vessel has an experienced crew with expert knowledge of Nias. At night it will provide accommodation for humanitarian staff.
April 8 report:
Ferry Schedule Route:
Singkil-Sinabang (Simeulue Island)
Tuesday 1000hrs Singkil-Simeulue
Wednesday 2100hrs Simeulue-Singkil
Friday 1800hrs Singkil-Simeulue
Saturday 1800hrs Simeulue-Singkil
* Due to a bottle neck in Sibolga port (the Sumatra logs hub) and a
shortage of sea transport (only 2 ferries available) up to 60 trucks from other agencies are reported to be waiting for goods movement across to
Nias.
* The ferry capacity problem is being addressed by POSKO who are
adding 3 additional ferries to cover the route - ETA 4 days. IOM and POSKO are combining to coordinate ferry traffic. WFP is also considering adding a 1000MT capacity ship for transporting food. Estimated food requirements are 600MT/week - TBC.
* Ship for Hire. Description: Based in Padang and regularly operates
as a walk on passenger ferry to the Mentawai Islands.
* 80 tons in the hold and approximately 40 MT on the first deck.
* Accommodation in staterooms (very basic) for up to 40 personnel
* Draft: 4m
* Renting or purchasing some of the local 3 to 5 ton freight haulers that operate in the area would enable offloading in remote
locations.
* The charterer must bring their own communications gear including: Sat-phone, SSB radio, VHF for Ship-ship and UHF for Ship-air if
needed.
* The ship has two Gen-set for 220 V and has 12 V DC wiring also.
This ship is large enough to stay out in fairly rough sea condition that would force any smaller (less that 50 ton Gross burden) into port.
* The crew is all from North Western Sumatra area and the captain is very familiar with the area from Nias to Simeulue.
* Cost of the Charter would be Rp100 milion/week all inclusive for the basic vessel.
* The charterer would need to have a representative on board at all times.
* It has been reported that ACP will provide 3 ferries in 3-4 days.
* On 7 April, local coastal vessel The Endless Sun will be loaded with
50MT rice in Sibolga and is expected to arrive in Nias the same day.
* Other sea chartering options are being assessed, including a 1,000MT
landing craft. This would reduce dependency on the current ferry system and provide opportunity to deliver goods at all main Nias ports and (Gunung Sitoli, Teluk Dalam, Sirumbo, Lahewa).
* 3 CARE International boats arrived in Nias on 7 April
* UNDAC report most urgent needs as food, shelter and water and sanitation and the continuing challenges in distributing aid caused by destroyed infrastructure / isolated locations.
* Results of rapid assessments carried out over the past days have
identified large numbers of bridges on the roads along the east and west
coasts are broken or damaged.
* Some of the rapid repair of bridges that has been carried out allows safe movement of motorbikes (max 5 MT recommended across the island).
* In Sinabang, the two harbour piers have also been damaged - one beyond
repair - by the earthquake. As the land has risen above sea level the
unloading of boats is slower.
* The Satlak in Simueleu, has also identified soft skin warehouses as a
priority to allow the storing of food and non-food items.
* Electricity has been restored in Sinabang but supply remains erratic. The mobile telephone network (Telkomsel) was activated on 6 April.
* Additional rotation of landing craft to Simuelue and Nias are being
considered by WFP.
* Ausaid-chartered vessel 'Batavia' is shipping 15MT of WFP goods to Gunung Sitoli.
* Currently Samaritans Purse and Surf Aid are doing an
outstanding job.
Westcoast of Nias
Sirombu?
LETTE fuel tanker
SOUTHERN CROSS headed for Nias, Telukdalem with supplies for Howu-Howu then, up west Nias.
MARUT JAYA to be in Taluk Dalem April 15th.
NIAS
Gunung Sitoli
+ The charter boat ASIA arrives tonight (April 9) to take over as SurfAid’s logistics command post in Gunung Sitoli. The boat was forced to turn back to Padang, West Sumatera, yesterday (April 8) following a storm.
+ The vessel has an experienced crew with expert knowledge of Nias. At night it will provide accommodation for humanitarian staff.
Afulu - Northwest Nias
+ The Equator Mermaid and the Merlin RIB speed boat have been conducting food, water and tarpaulin distributions in the Afulu sub-district. Four villages today received emergency supplies of rice, water, tarpaulins, jerry cans, towels, underwear and cloth.
+ The medical team aboard the boat organized the medical evacuation of four critical patients from Afulu today. The patients were transported to Sirombu by the RIB speed boat and then transferred to Gunung Sitoli by helicopter.
SIMEULUE ISLAND
Sinabang
+ The SurfAid team aboard the Nauli is conducting emergency distributions in the northern sub-district of Simeulue Barat. The Nauli is carrying rice, water, tarpaulins and tents donated by the AusAid-funded vessel the Batavia.
BANYAK ISLANDS
+ SurfAid is planning to return to the Banyak islands to conduct a round of mobile clinics in each village, focusing on measles immunizations, malaria control and nutritional supplementation for children.
Other Activities in Sirombu
+ A large World Food Program (WFP) barge was partly unloaded yesterday with the help of two Australian Army beach landing craft. The barge has 70 tonnes of rice on board which will be distributed throughout the sub-districts of Mandrehe, Sirombu and Alasa.
New International tsunami survey team headed for Indo. Will replace team on the SEIMOA, in Banda Aceh, and will then head south -
Birdie--
I'm in Taipei enroute to Jakarta. Today's mag. 6.8 earthquake near Padang evidently produced a small tsunami - Kerry's technicians observed it in Old Harbor. Everyone has the jitters I guess. Bruce Jaffe took your advice and got some fish hooks to bring along. I didn't have time to do much more than make a ton of copies of the flyers and get myself to the airport.
Lori
I emailed over 80 outrigger canoe clubs around the world the Surfzone Relief effort to raise $ to buy & deliver villagers canoes.
So, I think many canoes may be on the way...
The new Tsunami Survey Team has arrived in Jakarta, and have delivered the Tsunami Safety info flyers to the authorities there, expect more constructive media soon. People will be learning how to count how long the aftershocks are to assess risk and what to do. This helps tremendously.
From Lori
We made it to JAKARTA and met with scientists from the BPPT Indonesia's
main science agency. They are beginning to freak out too - really worried that yesterday's sequence are foreshocks to something much bigger. They get phone calls from everyone - the public, politicians and don't know what to say. So I gave them a pile of fliers and went over the basic ground rules - how to tell if an earthquake is something to worry about by counting and the 4 km safe rule inland.
Seemed to make them feel better that there was something they could say other than futz around with
probabilities...
Updates from our field team are posted at (the bottom of this site)
The MARUTA JAYA is a motor-assisted sailing cargo ship of 900 tons. Built in 1990 in Surabaya, Indonesia, she is 200-feet long, a beam of 38 feet, a draft 15.5 feet and carries 13,000 square feet of sail.
I think it is departing from Jakarta tomorrow 12 April to arrive in T.D on 15 April.
'IDEP Foundation' report :
Cargo ship CAHAYA ABADI was lost at sea today 12 april at 02:00pm local time. No human casualty among the crew of 20.
It was leased by Yayasan Andaru Selaras (a Jakarta-based NGO) was carrying relief goods from Yayasan IDEP, the World Food Program, Project Concern International and other donors.
All cargo of 700 tons is lost.
CAHAYA ABADI had just finished its fourth rice delivery when it hit an uncharted reef off Afulu village. Everything happened within 20 minutes, the crew had to jump off board and was picked-up by local fishermen.
This accident shows the danger lying under each move of the field teams,
particularly this kind of hazard.
We've said it before and will say it again :
PAY ATTENTION TO DIFFERENCES between existing MARINE CHARTS and present CHANGES IN UNDERWATER DEPTHS !
The coordinates on where the Endless Sun boat sunk just out from Afulu, Nias are :
Degrees – 97º
Minutes – 14’
Seconds – 22”
East
Degrees – 1º
Minutes – 14’
Seconds – 57”
North
CAHAYA ABADI had just finished its fourth rice delivery when it hit an uncharted reef off Afulu village.
Can someone please get us the exact coordinates?
The ORARI (Organization of Amateur Radio for Indonesia) operates on VHF and HF frequencies (3.800-3.875, 7.050-7.060, 14.250 and 21.300) for emergency traffic. The HF frequency they frequently use is 7055MHz.
ORARI command post and zulu (reference) station YB6ZAH is established at the TVRI (the Indonesian Public TV broadcasting) tower location near Gunungsitoli and they are in contact with USNS MERCY + NIAGARA FALLS.
From: Cathay Seas
Sent: Saturday, April 16, 2005 09:00am GMT
* Simeulue :
'SRO' ship MIKUMBA is scouting around North coast with 30 tons of supplies and doctors + nurses aboard.
Captain Matt and crew have a previous experience of the area and are kind of specialized in reaching remote areas by sea.
'Surf Aid International' ship NUALI is back in Sibolga for re-fuelling and maintenance. No known date for the comeback.
* Nias :
'Electric Lamb' ship BATAVIA *should be* in T.dalem by now and working with 'Howu-Howu'. (to be confirmed)
-----Original Message-----
From: Cathay Seas
Sent: Thursday, April 14, 2005 02:00pm GMT
Last tremor recorded :
14 april, 11:29 GMT, magnitude 5.8 MENTAWAI REGION, INDONESIA depth= 36km 1.89South 99.91East
NEEDS :
Food (adults + children + babies), freshwater.
Blankets, clothes + shoes (adults + children), towels, cooking pots, sleeping mats.
Road building-heavy machinery + construction materials.
First aid materials to clean wounds, bandages.
Mobile power generators (electricity) to stay out there on the long term.
Mobile phones/ sat phones, VHF... anything to speak to someone from far away.
* In Simeulue, NUALI ship of 'Surf Aid' is re-supplying in Sibolga.
* In Nias :
'Surfzone Relief Operation' (SRO) ship MIKUMBA has left Padang to North Simeulue.
Captain Matt is in the Directory.
Sailship MARUTA JAYA with 900 tons of cargo provided by 'CARE' is expected to arrive in Telukdalem 19 april (not 15, as previously thought).
In contact with 'Howu-Howu' coordinator.
BATAVIA cargo ship is on its way to T.dalem to work with 'Howu-Howu'.
Scouted around Onolimbu area since 12 april and have found a devastated terrain, including whole villages *permanently* underwater.
This confirms the reports that the whole southern Nias has gone down in altitude.
==> all ships operating in the region are asking for updated marine charts.
The GPS coordinates of the new reef off Afulu are : 01°14’57’’North x 97°14’22’’East.
CAHAYA ABADI sunk there on monday 11.
April 17, 2005
SITUATION REPORT NO. 14
HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE IN EARTHQUAKE AFFECTED INDONESIA | THE SECOND WAVE OF DISASTER
NIAS ISLAND, NORTH SUMATRA, BANYAK ISLANDS & SIMEULUE ISLAND, ACEH
ANOTHER EARTHQUAKE ROCKS NIAS ISLAND - 6.5 ON THE RICHTER SCALE
Another earthquake hit Nias Island late Friday night (April 15). Measuring 6.5 on the Richter scale, the quake was smaller in intensity than the devastating March 28 quake which measured 8.7 and claimed up to 3000 lives.
SurfAid staff in Nias reported no injuries or deaths from the latest quake, however previously damaged buildings on the waterfront in Gunung Sitoli tumbled down. The earthquake, which occurred around 11.40pm, caused panic in Gunung Sitoli as many fled the city for higher ground. The panic was exacerbated by a power blackout.
Teams aboard SurfAid charter boats on the west coast of Nias did not feel the earthquake and reported no further damage here.
EMERGENCY RESPONSE | SUMMARY
SurfAid continues to focus its emergency efforts on the west coast of Nias Island, North Sumatera, and on Simeulue Island, Aceh, where an existing SurfAid post-tsunami emergency response program was already in operation.
Figures to date
More than 1500 medical consultations - Since March 30, SurfAid International medical teams have treated an average of more than 75 serious medical cases a day. The majority of the consultations were emergency related and required comprehensive and time-consuming treatment. Main injuries included fractures, lacerations and wound infections.
Gunung Sitoli and regions north – approx. 260 consultations
Afulu – approx. 900 consultations
South Nias and west coast – 356 consultations
More than 40 medical evacuations facilitated - SurfAid International search and rescue teams have facilitated the medical evacuation critical patients from isolated villages. The patients were medivac-ed to Gunung Sitoli where they were further assessed and transported to hospitals in Medan, Sibolga or the US floating hospital, the USS Mercy.
More than 200 tonnes of emergency supplies distributed – SurfAid International boats have distributed emergency supplies to isolated regions in Nias, the Banyak Islands and Simeulue Island. Items distributed have included food, water and temporary shelter.
Activities April 15-17
+ There are currently 20 staff in the field making up three combined SurfAid/AusAID medical and engineering assessment teams.
+ The SurfAid helicopter, funded by NZAID, dropped two medical teams into remote areas of Nias to conduct medical assessments.
+ A third team traveled by motorbike to assess villages not accessible by four-wheeled vehicles.
+ There have been no further medical evacuations and the emergency phase in Nias is winding down.
+ SurfAid International will now concentrate on its public health and malaria prevention post-disaster program. The program will include Nias, the Banyak Islands and Simeulue Island. Teams will be mobilized to the Banyak Islands and Simeulue Island in Aceh this week.
+ From now SurfAid International will be issuing weekly situation reports.
NIAS
Gunung Sitoli
+ The charter boat Asia is operating as SurfAid’s logistics command post in Gunung Sitoli and providing accommodation for humanitarian staff.
+ The vessel has an experienced crew with expert knowledge of Nias.
Teluk Dalam
+ The SurfAid International team aboard the Mermaid Equator is currently based in Teluk Dalam.
+ The team will conduct medical and structural engineering assessments.
Sirombu-Mandrehe, West Nias Island
Medical teams
+ Team 1: Dropped by helicopter into the Goma district, conducting assessments in Sifalalagoma and Baholigomo villages.
+ Little aid has reached this region. There is a need for food (rice), tarpaulins and mosquito nets.
+ There has been an outbreak of diarrhea in Sifalalagoma village. The river is currently the only water supply.
+ 100% of residents still sleep outside at night.
+ Medical team treated one patient. No evacuations were required.
+ Team 2: Was dropped by helicopter into Amandraya district and walked three hours to the remote Fondrako Raya village.
+ 100% of villagers are living in temporary camps at night.
+ Some food has been delivered by helicopter, but the village has not received assistance for five days and stocks are low.
+ Five villagers were identified with fractures and will require further assessment to ascertain whether medical evacuation is needed.
+ Team 3: Traveled to four villages in the Goma district by motorbike.
+ Medics treated 8 minor injuries.
+ There has been no increase in malaria cases, however there is little facility for prognosis.
+ The villages have received food distributions from the Red Cross and World Food Program.
General
+ The distribution of aid in the Sirombu district has resulted in a lot of rubbish accumulating on the beach. SurfAid International organized a community working bee today (April 17) to clean up the rubbish.
+ School has not yet started in the regions visited. School buildings are unsafe.
SIMEULUE ISLAND
Sinabang
+ The charter boat Nauli has sailed to Sibolga for refueling, maintenance and resupply.
+ A new SurfAid team will be mobilized to Simeulue this week.
BANYAK ISLANDS
+ SurfAid is will begin mobile clinics in each village on the Banyak Islands this week. The clinics will focus on measles immunizations for all children aged 6 months to 15 years, deworming of children, malaria control with education and net distribution and nutritional supplementation for children.
'USNS Mercy' winds up operations
JAKARTA: The U.S. Navy Hospital ship USNS Mercy will depart Nias waters on Saturday, concluding 25 days of humanitarian assistance to victims of the earthquake on the island, according to a release by the U.S. Embassy made available to the media on Friday.
Upon arrival off the coast of Nias on April 5, the hospital ship has provided assistance to international relief organizations and host nation medical teams ashore.
As the only level three trauma hospital in the vicinity of Nias, Mercy evacuated 94 of the most seriously injured and ill patients via helicopter to the ship, where Mercy's doctors and medical personnel performed 123 surgical and 19,311 medical procedures. Ashore, Mercy's medical teams performed 2,149 dental procedures and distributed 2,577 pairs of glasses to the people of Nias, who suffered a monster earthquake that rocked the island on March 28. -- JP
Maruta Jaya delivers aid to 30 villages
'Despite all the hardship, everyone smiled'
[April 30, 2005] My first sight of the Maruta Jaya was from the plane as we flew over Sinabang harbor on the island of Simeulue. By far the largest vessel in the port, she lay at anchor awaiting our arrival. When we landed at the airport, we saw that the terminal had been leveled by the earthquake and replaced by a tent.
Care had provided a driver to meet us. The short trip into the capital was rough, as the roads were badly damaged and the bridges were makeshift. There were huge gaps in the earth left by the quake. The streets were lined with tents and tarpaulins, and many homes were badly damaged or destroyed. The people were afraid to sleep in their homes even if they could. There have been at least two major earthquakes in the past two weeks and many aftershocks.
When we arrive at the ship, I am welcomed like a Taipan. What do I want? How can we serve you? The captain and officers were all in crisp new uniforms, the crew in new jump suits, with insignias "Windjammer Relief Effort".
Everything has a fresh coat of paint, and we are looking good.
That evening I am invited to the home of the Bupati (the governor of the province). The captain, the ship's officer and I visit with Bupati and he says that he would like to visit the ship. The next morning he arrives, and after a tour of the vessel we meet in my office to discuss how we can help his island.
We agree that we will take on five young men as cadets and teach them to be sailors. After a few months on board they will be rotated to the marine academy for formal training.
After much ceremony and picture-taking, Bupati says he will have a special gift for us when we return.
Our mission is to deliver aid to the remote villages on the northern end of Simeulue island. Our first stop is a small village of Labayung on the northeast coast. As soon as we drop anchor, we are surrounded by dugout canoes. A crowd is gathering on the beach. We go ashore and meet the chief.
Everyone is very curious, especially the children. I am the focus of their interest, and wide eyes are staring at me. There is a mosque that had been beautifully situated right near the beach, and it is crumbled by the disaster. The village itself is set back a few hundred meters from the shore. As we walk about through the village, we see the school and many very modest homes are also badly damaged. Most houses have been abandoned, and the people live in tents or under plastic tarps.
We returned to the ship and began loading the life boats with supplies. By 10 p.m., we are finished -- exhausted, and very happy. After three months of planning and working on this project, we have put the first aid supplies in the hands of tsunami victims. They are very grateful and wish us farewell as we sail to the next village, Sembilan. It was pretty hard hit. They used to have a pier for landing, but no more and the earthquake raised the ground level about 2 meters (about 6.5 feet), so what used to be the harbor was much too shallow to get near the village. We had to wade up a river to find a place to land the supplies. After this was done, we offloaded supplies for a neighboring village that sent a boat for them.
Our next stop was Sebigo. This is a beautiful protected bay with a narrow entrance. The bay is about two miles in diameter with villages scattered about. We go ashore and the pier is destroyed again, this time by the earthquake. Many homes are in shambles with many living in tents, The mosque was completely destroyed. Despite all this hardship everyone smiled, and "Halo Mister" was heard everywhere we went. It was a long day, but we serviced eight villages, most sending their own boats, which we loaded with aid.
Most of the smaller boats are long and narrow. They are powered by what they call a "robin". It is simply a five- or ten-horsepower Briggs & Stratton engine, or something similar, that they carry on board and then put in the shaft and connect it to the engine. Most of these boats are a single hollowed-out log with maybe a few planks added. Very simple but very effective.
In the morning, we head up around the north point to the west side of the island to the Alafan District.
Our first stop is again a big bay with many villages. This area took the full brunt of the tsunami. It was actually the closest point to the epicenter. One hundred percent of the homes were gone as if they were never there. The only structures standing when we arrived were those that were built with the debris left behind. Amazingly, few if any were killed. Because these areas are so remote, they do not have electricity and TV for entertainment. Instead they tell stories that are passed down from generation to generation. There was a legend that says, "When the sea retreats run for the hills, for she is angry and will come back and swallow you up." These simple people knew better than hundreds of thousands whose lives were lost.
Our last stop was in the surf zone. The bay had huge breakers on both sides of the entrance. We loaded the boats and headed for the shore. I was wishing I hadn't brought my camera because I was sure we would capsize in the surf, but our local guides brought us safely into a small protected area where we were able to unload. Here the effect of the earth quake was very dramatic.
The land had risen a full two meters. The people walked out to meet us on the coral that was alive only a few weeks ago. On the distribution to the second village, one of the boats capsized. No one was hurt, but it took all of the next day to get the engine going again. We comple our distribution to more than 30 villages and return to Sinabang.
Arriving in the night, we berth at the town dock. In the morning I come out on the poop deck and hear a chopping sound below. I look out and see the Bupati has sent his gift. The crew is butchering a water buffalo. The horns, about four feet long, are on the hatch.
We will remain in Sinabang and discharge cargo to the local communities near the capital. We leave for Banda Aceh in about a week. I'm not sure what is next: we are looking for a new mission.
ORTS: UNJLC has made contact with the Head of PT Pelindo SIBOLGA (the ports authority) on 23-24 April 2005 and have made an initial assessment of the ports facilities as outlined below.
* The first port called Samudra Sambas:
* Main problem is the small size of the port.
* Length of jetty for passenger ferry 150m, depth 15 m.
* Length of jetty for cargo ship 300m, depth 15m
* No warehouse facility
* No Forklift or crane
* WFP and IOM are using this port
* The second port is called Pondok Batu (Indonesian Fisheries Department).
* This can serve as an alternate port, however the location is more difficult to access being located 4 km away from SIBOLGA and the connecting road is poor.
* Length of jetty for passenger ferry 300m, depth 4 m.
* It is possible to rent this port.
* No warehouse facility
* No Forklift or crane
* Pertamina Gasoline facility for boats is available.
* The third port, called the 'old port' is owned by a private company and is located near downtown of SIBOLGA. Merlin has used this port to send aid to NIAS.
* UNJLC through contact with the Marketing Manager reports that it is possible to rent it.
* Length of jetty for passenger ferry 100m, depth 5-6 m.
* A warehouse facility is available.
* There is large tract of land which can be used for warehouses
* PORTS: UNJLC has made an initial assessment of the seaport in GUNUNG SITOLIi, and concurrently made a contact with the harbour authority.
* Port specification: Jetty 60m length, 11 meter deep. Built in 1984. Jetty condition is noted as ''not good.''
* Routine schedule: 2 wooden ships, 1 ferry for passenger and cargo. Ferry can carry 300 pax while wooden ships can carry 200pax.
* The 3 ships depart nightly between 2000hrs and 2100hrs to SIBOLGA - duration 9 hours.
* No stevedoring available on Sunday. Ship can enter Sundays, and it is possible to use own stevedoring to unload cargo.
* 1 Warehouse facility at the NIAS port.
* Temporary warehouses can be erected in port area - arrangement can be made with PT Pelindo.
* For handing increasing transit of food, WFP is in discussion with shipping agent, Samudera, to reopen its office in MALAHAYATI and SIBOLGA.
* On 21 April, Atlas Logistique sent two fishing boats: One carried trucks from Lampulo port to Calang; the second carried MSF Holland to Meulaboh.
* On 24 April 2005, LCT Sukses (WFP) carrying 300ton of rice arrived in from MALAHAYATI port.
* On 25 April 2005 at 0600hrs, LCT Reulina carrying 5 IOM trucks arrived in NIAS from SIBOLGA.
* 25 April 2005, around morning hours TNI came to LCT Sukses. TNI, reportedly acting on instruction from SATKORLAK, suggested that the vessel unload in the new port instead of at the old port. Last Thursday (April 21) UNJLC met with the head of PT Pelindo in the new port - it is preferred that LCT berth and discharge at the old port as the unload process will be faster and spaces will be freed for other ships at the new port.
* L/C Labitra Reulina arrived in SIBOLGA port on 21 April to start rotation of humanitarian cargo between SIBOLGA and GUNUNG SITOLI from 24 April to 30 April. To date, 24 April two deliveries had been made, 250 Mt of mixed food commodities and 28 trucks of humanitarian cargo were transferred to GUNUNG SITOLI, .
* Due to bad weather in SIMEULUE the discharge from L/C Labitra Hanny was slow. Approximately 330 MT of mixed food commodities was delivered by the ship, and directly dispatched to CARE. The heavy rains also delayed preparation of a site for rub hall construction.
* Ferry traffic in SIBOLGA is back to normal but another temporary bottleneck is expected with the arrival of humanitarian cargo now being released from Belawan port.
" WFP has 4 landing craft (LCT) and 1 cargo ship operating to support the operation
" IOM has one small cargo ship (10T) supporting NIAS operations.
" LCT LABITRA HANNY arrived on the 19 April in Calang and on 20 April in SINABANG. The vessel was still discharging in SINABANG as of 23 April 05.
* LCT LABITRA REULINA is awaiting cargo in SIBOLGA.
* LCT SUSKSES 3 is estimated to arrive in GUNUNG SITOLI by 23 April.
* LCT TRANSINDO discharging in CALANG, sailed 22 April, now anchored off MALAHAYATI waiting for order.
* M/V MULTI SARANA started loading in Belawan sea port on 20 April for MALAHAYATI and NIAS Island.
* As of Saturday, 23 April, the KM Batavia was available for loading aid supplies bound for NIAS, SIMEULUE and ACEH coast. The ship will complete its Aus Aid charter in NIAS and then continue on medical missions up the coast.
* Agencies should be aware that the ship is not providing a free door-to-door delivery service, but rather a platform for efficient aid distribution to remote and isolated communities. Call Rick on 08126627884
sumatra Surfzone Relief Operation Update - Phase Two "Canoe-Lift" Underway
INFORMATION STATEMENT
ISSUED 04 FEBRUARY 05
SSRO Phase One Completion/Summary
The sumatra Surfzone Relief Operation was formed on 09JAN05, deploying its first ships on 13JAN05, delivering 37 tons of food and aid materials -- along with three doctors -- to the islands of Nias and Simeulue.
The SSRO ship Mikumba was the first fully-laden aid vessel to reach hard-hit Alafan Bay in the northwest of Simeulue on January 18, the physically closest settlements to the epicenter of the December 26 earthquake and tsunami. Operations at Alafan continued unabated until all relief and medical supplies were distributed, and the Mikumba and
SSRO team returned to the port of Padang on 22JAN, having successfully completed all objectives of the "Phase One" action plan.
SSRO founding members Dustin Humphrey, Timmy Turner and Dave Sparkes departed Indonesia at this time as did Michelle Turner, Kristian McCue and Mirawati Rochnani.
SSRO Phase Two Implementation
SSRO Director Bill Sharp returned to sumatra on 24JAN05 for the second time after a brief visit to the USA to rally financial support for the cause, and together with Matt George began preparations for Phase Two operations. An infusion of new team members had already begun to arrive on scene.
New conscripts include Sam George, well known for two decades of surf magazine editing and as the writer of the successful Sony release Riding Giants, who joined the team in Padang to coordinate the "canoe-lift," the SSRO's plan to redistribute urgently-needed fishing vessels from unaffected areas to those badly damaged by the tsunami.
Also signing on was Australian Zane Kamat, who through amazing coincidence has spent the last four years working on a documentary on tsunami survivors and is also a licensed sea captain and scuba diver. Kamat will act as marine coordinator and also document the dramatic effects of the seismic event both above the water and below. Kamat's associate, Malaysian Yee San Loh, will coordinate the dispensing of relief supplies, translate and document the activities in digital stills and video.
The intense desire of two female doctors of SSRO's Indonesian medical team to return as soon as possible to the tsunami afflicted area was a great inspiration to all involved.
Joining on this voyage is Dr. Muhammad Fadil (the SSRO's original contact in the local medical community) and new nurse "Patra." Dr. Alsyssa Scurrah will also rejoin the team at sea.
Crucial translation skills will be provided by Sherlie Yulvianti and Rina Haryanto from the office of charter operator Saraina Koat Mentawai.
Most importantly, the SSRO wishes to announce that this Phase Two voyage was made possible by funding grants from SurfAid International and Aceh Aid at IDEP (Indonesian Development of Education and Permaculture). The SSRO gives its most sincere thanks those organizations for providing crucial financial, logistical and moral support in this surfer-organized grassroots effort to help the people of the tsunami stricken outer islands of sumatra, Indonesia.
Regards,
Bill Sharp
Director
sumatra Surfzone Relief Operation
Padang, West sumatra, Indonesia
Newport Beach, California, USA
949-548-6740 SurfNewsTsunami@aol.com
DISPATCH FROM THE sumatra SURFZONE RELIEF TEAM ABOARD THE MIKUMBA
TELOS CUT, SOUTH OF PALAU NIAS, sumatra, INDONESIA
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2005
It's been a day and a half since we left port at Padang and now the Mikumba is working its way through the Telos Cut, low palm-fringed islets crowding around from all sides, making navigation critical.
But this is the shortest route north across the Siberut Strait and on to Palau Simeulue, approximately two days' smooth sailing to the north, and the course was planned so the ship would enter the Cut at dawn.
Sailing weather fine, winds light, seas sheet glass reflecting high cirrus clouds above. Quite a change from the vicious local storm front which originally smashed into the early hours of the SSRO's second voyage last Saturday morning, chasing us back into port for repairs.
But the storm did nothing to sap our resolve.
Yesterday, January 31, Phase Two of the SSRO's relief efforts took on a new poignancy -- quite literally.
In the tiny Siberut Island village of Simalepet, a half day's sail from Padang, 16 hardwood dugout canoes and 32 paddles were taken aboard our ship, all to be distributed to stricken fishing villages in the north.
Hand-carved with axes from single logs, each is between 16 and 20 feet in length, light enough for two men (or women) to carry, and handy -- if a bit tippy -- on the water.
This vital component of sustainable, culturally consistent relief now lay stacked amidships on the Mikumba's deck, in stark contrast to the modern 15-foot inflatable
Feathercraft kayak used for tending and exploration.
To celebrate completion in the first small step of SSRO's Phase Two objectives, a "canoe painting" party was spontaneously arranged.
The varied artistic capabilities and the collective best wishes of the entire crew were cheerfully applied to each precious hull.
Cupped in the hands of these myriad islands, small villages lay sleeping in the morning haze. Thatch huts on stilts, typically surrounding a stone mosque or church, canoes resting on a quiet beach below.
So peaceful, but we know all too well what devastation occurred on the exposed northwestern coast of these islands where similarly picturesque settlements were suddenly engulfed by a 30-foot wave and wiped off the map.
The Telos Cut (a spectacularly narrow channel between the islands of Tanahbala and Tanahmasa) is a challenge, but the Mikumba must get north to Simeulue as quickly as possible.
A lone fisherman in his own dugout drifts by the starboard rail only feet away, balancing effortlessly as the Mikumba slips past. A smile, a wave of the hand, wishing us "Simoga Berentung," or some local good luck.
And to you, too.
###
DISPATCH FROM THE sumatra SURFZONE RELIEF TEAM
ABOARD THE MIKUMBA
OFF TELUK BUSONG, PULAU SIMEULUE, ACEH, INDONESIA
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 2005
The mission continues. The Mikumba made a brief stop in the port of Gunung Sitoli, on the east coast of Nias, and picked up a quantity of Vitamin A, measles vaccine and other urgently-needed medicines which we will deliver to SurfAid doctors in Simeulue for their ongoing immunization clinics.
Extra batteries and chargers to keep the bridge electronics perky on the Mikumba were also brought aboard.
Eighteen hours north of Gunung Sitoli is Teluk Busong (sometimes mapped as Gosung), an idyllic bay on the southwest edge of the island of Simeulue. After making landfall at dawn, the Mikumba dropped anchor several hundred yards off a white sand beach, classic a vision of paradise.
But a closer look revealed the unmistakable mark of the December 26 tsunami, even in these protected waters.
Most telling were the three bare palm trunks sticking up out of the sea, approximately 100 yards from shore.
We learned that until recently, three houses stood under these trees.
The entire southern tip of Simeulue submerged some three feet on the day of the great upheaval, nearly matching the stunning uplift of reefs on the northern end.
While part of the team went overland to the Sinabong, the main town of Simeulue, to complete the paperwork needed to work the waters of Aceh province, the rest got to work, developing a plan to load relief supplies and distribute them to the nearby village of Salur.
Although some are barely accessible by road, these coastal settlements on the lower west coast of SImeulue are still reeling from the giant wall of water.
Salur, particularly hard hit, sits at the end of the pavement just south of a washed-out bridge which makes further truck passage impossible.
Despite widespread destruction, the people of Simeulue are cheerful and industrious, putting back the pieces of their lives as well as possible.
The SSRO team arrived in Salur with its population of approximately 500, setting up its mobile medical clinic in the cramped office of the Kempala Desa, or village chieftain.
Foodstuffs, tools and school supplies -- especially welcome -- were distributed outside, giving the whole project a decidedly caravanserai atmosphere.
The biggest surprise for Salur was the presentation of a two-man dugout fishing canoe and fishing tackle -- the key components of SSRO's Phase Two project.
After a symbolic passing of a paddle, the handcrafted prahu was given to the village's most experienced fisherman, a tall, wire man of some 50 years, who giggled with gratitude, and took delivery of the priceless vessel at his place along Salur's beach.
Battered, but still a home, still a community, somehow still intact.
The Mikumba lifted its hook at approximately 2 a.m. and is currently en route for the northwestern region of Simeulue, the area hardest hit by the tsunami, and a coastline yet visited by major relief operations.
It is known, however, that these small villages tucked in the lee of the forested headlands, ringing Simeulue's many palm-lined bays, are still in dire need of assistance, both medical and supplies.
Morale aboard the Mikumba is high, energy and motivation unflagging.
With the operation's moniker "Surfzone Relief" in mind, the SSRO team is ready to go where others can't in these reef-strewn and wave-lashed coastlines.
Cruising offshore, picking our way through the coral maze, we look for the smoke of cooking fires, the only sign of habitation along this primordial shore.
We are heading north to Delam, inshore of the island of Leukon, and then will work our way back south.
There are many destinations on our list, and we will be seeking a way to reach villages like Laayon, where we are told 53 families are isolated, unable to fish and in great need of aid. We intend to do what we can for them.
SSRO PHASE TWO TEAM
Matt George – Field Command
Sam George - Quartermaster/Watercraft Coordinator/Media Coordinator
Zane Kamat – Marine Coordinator/Media Operations
Yee San Loh – Supply Coordinator/Media Operations/Translator
Sherlie Yulvianti - Sea Ops Translator
Rina Haryanto - Land Ops Translator
Dr. Muhammad Fadil – Medical Coordinator
Dr. Pashiwati Azis – Field Physician
Dr. Ulya Uti Fasrini – Field Physician
Patra Rina Dewi - Field Nurse
Bukti Sihaloho - Security - Provost Marshall/Alafan Province
Raynul Mihiko - Co-Captain/Mikumba
Harudin - Co-Captain/Mikumba
Bill Sharp – Project Command
sumatra SURFZONE RELIEF OPERATION
PHASE 2 -- CARGO MANIFEST
on board Mikumba
NUTRITION/HYDRATION
Water 12300 lbs.
Fresh Fruit & Veg. 4000 lbs
Dried Salt Fish 4000 lbs.
Rice 3000 lbs.
Sugar 500 kilos
Salt 500 kilos
Cooking Oil 30 cases
Sardines (canned) 32 cases
Corned Beef (canned) 30 cases
Coffee 20 kilos
Teabags 4 cases
Frying Pans 400 pcs
Spatulas 400 pcs.
Knives 400 pcs.
SHELTER/PERSONAL NEEDS
Tarps 150 pcs
Sarongs 600 pcs
Woven mats (tikar) 300 pcs
Petronax lamp 4 cases
Lamp Fuel 100 liters
Lamp Mantles 100 pcs
Sanitary Napkins 4 cases
Underwear 400 pcs
Mosquito Nets 400 pcs
RECONSTRUCTION/SELF-RELIANCE
Prahu Canoes 16 pcs
Paddles 32 pcs
Wheelbarrows 4 pcs
Machetes w/sharpeners 50 pcs
Buckets 150 pcs
Wash pails 50 pcs
Innertubes (bungies) 100 pcs
Fishing Nets 40 pcs
Fishing handlines 400 pcs
Fishing Hook Sets heaps
Dive Goggles 23 pairs
8 mm Rope 6 lg. coils
10 mm rope 6 lg. coil
Misc. tools
SOCIAL WELFARE
School White Boards 20 pcs
White Board Eraser 24 pcs
White Board Marker 120 pcs
Exercise books 500 pcs
School subject books 143 pcs
Drawing Books 250 pcs
Erasers 300 pcs
Pencils 600 pcs
Colored pencils 50 boxes
Pens 600 pcs
Crayons 50 boxes
Pencil sharpeners 288 pcs
Rulers 300 pcs
Chalk 2000 pcs
Harmonicas 20 pcs
Recorders 20 pcs
Playing cards 20 decks
Rubber bands 1 kilo
Facial powder 100 pcs
Cigarettes 20 cartons
Towels 100 pcs
Sewing items 131 pcs
Volleyballs 12 pcs
Volleyball net 6 pcs
Soccer Balls 12 pcs
LIVESTOCK
Goats 3 pcs
Chickens 6 pcs
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