YachtAid Global, Sail UK step up to help

Several groups are organizing to help victims of Hurricane Irma.

• Yacht Aid Global, a yachting humanitarian organization, is organizing the yachting and boating community to support relief efforts in isolated areas impacted by Hurricane Irma.

The hurricanes of Irma and Jose, plus the earthquake in Mexico, have destroyed entire communities across the Caribbean.

“The marine and yachting industries are in a unique position to offer aid to these isolated areas because they can quickly deploy boats to deliver needed supplies, crews to provide services and communicate needs, and logistic experts to coordinate relief aid with other voluntary organizations,” according to a statement from YachtAid Global. “The marine industry is deeply impacted when disasters strike isolated areas in which they have traveled numerous times and have developed strong connections to the communities and personal friendships. They care about these communities, and are in a position to help – and it’s the right thing to do.”

Any yacht owners, captains or crew willing and able to help are asked to contact Capt. Tim Forderer at [email protected]. YachtAid Global is also looking for bona-fide volunteer and charitable opportunities in affected islands.

For more information, visit yachtaidglobal.org.

• Sail Aid UK is hosting a Hurricane Irma Relief Fundraising Dinner on Nov. 11 on the ‘Flight Deck’ at Land Rover BAR, the home of the British America’s Cup Team, in Old Portsmouth, Hampshire.

The Fundraiser, with Adventurer and Broadcaster Hannah White offering her services as Mistress of Ceremonies, will be a Black Tie/Loud Shirt gathering with many high profile sailing names already pledging their support for the cause including Sir Ben and Lady Georgie Ainslie, Ian Walker, Shirley Robertson, Sam Davies, Andy Beadsworth and Helena Lucas, amongst others.

The funds raised will be channelled toward helping support the relief effort for the regeneration and reconstruction of communities in those British territories in the Caribbean that have been most severely hit by the recent spate of hurricanes. These include, but are not limited to, the islands of the BVI, Antigua and Barbuda and Anguilla.

The formation of the Sail Aid UK charity is underway. Meanwhile, the organizers are planning to link a Virgin Money Giving page from the SAUK Facebook platform to allow for more immediate donations to be made to the SAUK ‘Action Stations’ fund. The November fundraising event is then the main launch initiative that kick-starts a longer-term plan to help the islanders rebuild their lives, their businesses and their economies.

“The UK sailing community pledges to support the Caribbean victims of the 2017 hurricanes which have completely destroyed entire islands,” international yachtsman Philippe Falle said in a SAUK press release. “It will take years to rebuild a part of the world that so many of us enjoy both professionally and for our leisure activities.”

Anyone wishing to get involved can email [email protected].