In the aftermath of a cyclone, it is often sailors who step up to help. With this in mind, aid organisation Sea Mercy is holding a Free Disaster Response training session in Fiji in November, for any cruisers interested in learning how they might be of use in times of need.

Published 2 years ago, updated 7 months ago

For the last eight years Sea Mercy volunteers have responded to natural disasters in the South Pacific. According to Jonathon Robinson, Sea Mercy Co-ordinator for the Fiji Islands, “One vessel can only do so much, but a well-equipped team can make a big difference.”

“Whether you have a vessel and crew that might assist, or you could lend an extra pair of hands should Fijians need help, Sea Mercy would love to hear from you.”

Sea Mercy is holding three informal short presentations for sailors that are interested to find out more, prior to a proposed training day in November.  These presentations will be at:

• Port Denarau Marina, Fiji – Friday October 28th at 10am
• Musket Cove Island Resort and Marina, Fiji – Monday October 31st at 4pm
• Vuda Marina, Fiji – Thursday November 3rd at 4pm

The date and venue for the Training Day in early November will be announced soon.

Training Adaptable for Any Location

While the training is specific to Fiji and is aimed at attracting the interest of yachties thinking about spending the cyclone season in Fiji,  it could easily be adapted for any location says Jonathon.

”The training is aimed at building a team of trained, volunteer yacht crews, to form a First Response Fleet. Historically, after a disaster, more volunteers step forward allowing the resupply and rotation of these vessels,” he said.

The training will cover:

• National and International Disaster Response Coordination.
• Lessons Learned from previous Disaster Responses.
• Vessel Operations in a Disaster Zone – Communications, Fleet Tracking and Reporting.
• Team Safety and Dynamics.
• Cultural Protocols and interaction with disaster victims.
• Needs Assessing – techniques and tools.
• Sea Mercy aid supplies – inventory and distribution.
• Desalination and water filtration equipment installation and operation.

If anyone is interested in attending the information sessions or the Training Day and learning about how they might be able to help in the aftermath of a cyclone, please contact Jonathon Robinson, Sea Mercy Fiji, at jonathan@seamercyfiji.org.

Useful advice from Jonathan Robinson on how cruisers can help after a natural disaster was published on Noonsite in January 2022 :
Natural Disasters Advice for Cruisers Who Want to Help (Noonsite January 2022)

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About Sea Mercy:

Sea Mercy (Fiji) is a Charitable Trust, run by sailors, using volunteer cruising yachts to provide assistance, as needed, to remote island communities in the South Pacific.

https://seamercyfiji.org/
Sea Mercy Facebook Page

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Related News:

• Fiji:  Sea Mercy Responds to Cyclone Yasa (Noonsite – March 2021)
• Vanuatu:  Sea Mercy Lands First Container of Disaster Relief (Noonsite April 2020)
• Other News on Noonsite about Sea Mercy.

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