the cyclones [in 2015] changed everything. We have had to
shift focus – it’s hard to deliver healthcare when these clinics
are destroyed.”
Sea Mercy’s fleet of volunteer yachts service just 10 per
cent of the South Pacific, and it aims to go much further with
a new project to build 35 metre Sea Bridge One, in a
collaboration with Dykstra Naval Architects (which is
supporting by donating its design fees) and Vitters. The
vessel will allow Sea Mercy to deliver health, education and
disaster response services to the other 90 per cent of the
region. The organisation is seeking donations and is looking
to engage yacht owners to help it build Sea Bridge One.
Rebuilding and recovery work never gets as much
attention as a disaster, but these charities are trying to change
that. One of the best ways to support disaster-hit regions is
with patronage. “We were pretty upset to see the destruction
of the Caribbean storms,” says Mark Shores, owner of 33
metre sailing yachtMarae, who has been visiting the
Caribbean since the early 1980s. “There was frustration in
how we could meaningfully participate as
our boat was in the yard in New England, so
we couldn’t get down to help out. But we
decided immediately to do the St Barths
Bucket for the first time to support the St
Barths community.”
Shores has also floated the idea of getting
more charter yachts like his involved. What
if he contributed five per cent ofMarae’s
charter revenue to charities leading the
rebuilding efort? “It’s a way to give back to
the island communities that have given us so
many great experiences over the years,” he
says. Shores notes that if six more chartersare booked, they could donate up to $15,000
and if 10 to 20 other yachts join him, together
they could really make a difference. Y.CO
advertised that any charter bookings made
onSherakhanprior to Christmas would result in a hefty
donation to YAG. Something industry-wide is yet to be
organised and is perhaps just waiting for the right person or
organisation to bring it all together.
Yachts and the cruising grounds they call home have a
symbiotic relationship. It’s common sense that yachts act as
a force for good in these areas. “This is a movement,” Forderer
says. “We want to make giving back part of yachting’s culture.
When people see big yachts, they think decadence and bling.
We hope to change the culture and image of yachting to a
caring industry that provides stewardship for the world’s
coastal cruising communities that we rely on.” It can be as
easy as using your watermaker to provide fresh water for a
remote village or the engineer going ashore to fix kids’ bikes.
An ongoing YAG project has seen 59 metreSeawolfinstalling
clean drinking water systems in remote Raja Ampat.
Giving back also enhances the cruising experience. When
Vividvisited Komodo to deliver clean water, the locals
thanked them by staging a performance for the owner and
guests. Such eforts are also good for the crew. “When a yacht
crew looks back on their tenure, they aren’t going to
remember 300 nights in a bar but they will remember
delivering a filter to provide clean drinking water or
providing aid post-hurricane to put a roof over people’s
heads,” says Forderer. “Those are the things that are fulfilling.
And when you’re involved as an owner, you can connect with,
and contribute to, the places you’re cruising. Your cruising
experience will improve tenfold.”
The key is to start small, but start somewhere. “Pick up the
phone. There are many ways to help, and you don’t have to
figure it out yourself,” says Doug Frye. “By starting a dialogue,
good things will happen.”B
yachtaidglobal.org; seamercy.org“WHENPEOPLESEEBIGYACHTS,
THEY THINK DECADENCE AND
BLING. WE HOPE TO CHANGE
THE IMAGE OF YACHTING
TOACARINGINDUSTRY”Ahostofsuperyachtowners
and their crews headed for
theCaribbeantohelpwith
hurricane relief. Bottom left:
thecrewof61.3mKatharine
deliveredbabyfoodin
particular to Anguilla. Top
left:the19msailingyacht
Enzo,ownedbyDougFrye,
worked with YAG to supply
750 water filters among
many other things. Top right:
63m expedition yachtSuRi
worked with Superyacht
Aid Coalition and YAG – and
was temporarily renamed
Ark 2–tocarryoutaid
missions to St Maarten
http://www.boatinternational.com | April 2018