The situation in Haiti is unstable, with gang violence paralysing the country. Supplies of fuel, food and water are very limited and cholera is rife. While cruising there should not be attempted at this time, a vessel and crew that are part of the Seven Seas Cruising Association’s Clean Wake Project, has left the east coast of the USA on a relief mission to Haiti.

Published 10 months ago, updated 7 months ago

Source: Seven Seas Cruising Association

The S/V Zeepaard, which is part of the International Rescue Group (IRG) has departed Hampton, Virginia in the USA loaded with much need relief supplies for the Caribbean island national of Haiti.

IRG is a non-profit organization which has the support of several private vessels and captains as well as being an active Clean Wake Project for the Seven Seas Cruising Association (SSCA).

These vessels continue efforts to transport desperately needed cargo for third world countries, such as  Haiti. They have sourced critically needed and requested food and medical supplies for this small island country in the Caribbean.

For their 2024 mission to the Caribbean, S/V Zeepaard left Hampton, Virginia with a crew of three and if the weather allows, Zeepaard will coastal sail until she can reach the Bahamas.  From S/V Zeepaard, Captain Ray said they should take about eight days to reach the northern Bahamas, at their closest.

S/V Zeepaard spent part of summer 2023 in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia, refitting and loading cargo relief donations. The vessel is an older dutch steel hulled vessel with cargo space for tons of supplies and is designed as an island-trader style passage maker.

It is a 97 ft gaff rigged steel ketch, with mizzen, main and jib, along with engines/generators and almost 1000 gallons of fuel storage/water storage for 500 gallons. She has already traveled to and from the Caribbean several times with a destination of Haiti.  See some of her adventures at International Rescue Group.

The success of this leg of the voyage is due to IRG networking and outreach to groups or maritime businesses, such as MWXC and others.

IRG is supported by several major missions/donors who have provided both financial and in kind assistance. Since 2017, IRG has also been an active Clean Wake Project for Seven Seas Cruising Association, joining the several organizations providing approved donations to areas suffering from disasters.

These projects are all operated by volunteers, the projects support local communities where Seven Seas Cruising Association (SSCA) vessels cruise. In some cases, SSCA vessels/crew provide program support with their unique skills to communities in need.

For more information about SSCA Clean Wake see the SSCA website, or contact:

Nicole Economou, SSCA Membership Coordinator – office@ssca.org


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Related Links:

• International Rescue Group
• SSCA Clean Wake

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