PULAU RAYA FISHING FLEET PROGRESS

While BATAVIA refueled in Sibolga, we had a chance to check progress on the refurbishment and repowering of 5 fishing boats funded by Sam Schultz and friends. Sam found one 10m decked boat and 4 smaller 7m open boats near Sibolga and they are almost ready to take out for sea trials. Sam just called and he has secured funding for 5 additional boats so a total of 10 boats will travel north next month and be delivered to the Pulau Raya and Patek fishermen who lost their boats in the tsunami.

Batavia volunteers Michael and Phil unloaded anchor rope for Sams boats.

Unfortunately our bagan rehabilitation project has been delayed due to the sinking of the IDEP funded cargo ship "Endless Sun" after hitting an uncharted reef off the west coast of Nias. Our 200 drums were aboard but their loss is hardly worth comment in light of the scale of the trauma the crew endured. Our sympathy to James and the rest of his brave team. Fortunately no one was injured.