Troppodoc Australia Raise over $12,000 for Medical Work

Ian Cope (Troppodoc Aus) and Trina Minter put together a dinner auction fundraiser and more than 100 people turned up. The evening was a huge success and Dr Derek has now secured enough funding to continue his medical work in Telos for many months.

Dr Derek and I will continue to use our private time and money to complete the helicopter licensing process. Any donations to support this critical aspect of Troppodoc's work will be very welcome. Visit http://flying-doctor.collectivex.com

The fund-raiser is a great beginning for Troppodoc Australia and hats off to Ian, Trina and the rest of the support team for putting this together in such a fun and effective way.

Rick and Jane in Padang.

Island Aid One of Three Grant Winners in Global Contest

Central Desktop is one of the world's most popular web based business solutions with a user base of over 200,000 people.



PASADENA, CA--(Marketwire - November 27, 2008) - Central Desktop, Inc. today announced the winners of its Social Technology for Social Good Contest. Audubon Dakota, Island Aid and Imerman Angels will each receive one-year subscription grants to enable them to better interact, share and manage their daily work activities from anywhere at anytime through collaboration software company Central Desktop's pure web based social technology platform for next-generation teams.

"Choosing just three organizations was a really tough decision," said Isaac Garcia, CEO and Founder, Central Desktop, Inc. "Our social technology platform has the ability to support so many types of organizations that rely on grass-roots efforts and geographically dispersed teams of volunteers to get things done. We're just thrilled that we're in a position to help."

Audubon's mission is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems, focusing on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of humanity and the earth's biological diversity. Central Desktop's platform will be used to strengthen Audubon Dakota's climate coalition team who are working in the fight to curb the effects of climate change. Audubon's collective actions toward global warming solutions range from climate legislation, to weatherization projects, renewable energy use, sustainability skill-shares, carbon credit programs, and more.

Imerman Angels matches cancer fighters and caregivers 1-on-1 with someone who has survived the same type of cancer for support. For free. Worldwide. Central Desktop's platform will be used to support their small team of three paid employees who need help managing the efforts of hundreds of geographically dispersed volunteers as well as their organization's outreach, PR, marketing, fundraising and operational activities.

Island Aid is a volunteer organization that utilizes an innovative ocean-based delivery network to provide emergency and long-term humanitarian assistance to communities affected by natural disasters. Their 'Sea-Bridge' remains the most effective solution for reconstruction support to tens of thousands of tsunami and quake survivors. Central Desktop's platform will be used to organize the hundreds of volunteers needed to support Island Aid's disaster relief efforts that include raising funds, organizing rescue and relief operations as well as internal projects to prepare for future disasters.

About Central Desktop
Central Desktop delivers a pure web based social technology platform for progressive business teams to interact, share and manage their daily work activities from anywhere at anytime. Built collaboratively over the last three years with direct feedback from its users, the Central Desktop platform provides enterprise-grade functionality without enterprise solution resource requirements. Used by over 200,000 people worldwide, Central Desktop's customers represent next-generation organizations with geographically dispersed teams that are committed to using innovative web 2.0 tools for business success.

Central Desktop serves organizations in technology, media, marketing and communications, professional services, architecture, design and many others. Central Desktop's social technology platform consistently delivers a 30% increase in productivity while decreasing the total cost of doing business.

Key Central Desktop customers include: The Barack Obama Presidential Campaign, WebCor Builders, iSoldit, Gymboree, NXTV, Chapters of the Project Management Institute and the California Office of HIPAA Compliance. Founded in 2005, Central Desktop is a privately-held company located in Pasadena, California. For more information, visit www.centraldesktop.com.

Kiwi Doctor in Daring Helicopter Rescue - Fundraiser Launched

Sumatra - Remote West Coast Islands - Kiwi Doctor in Daring Helicopter Rescue.


On Tuesday May 20th 2008 Dr Allen received a urgent message from a Surf Charter boat Captain Matt Cruden ( Mangalui Indah ) informing him that a 35 year old surfer in the south Mentawai Islands had suffered an neck injury and was paralyzed from below his armpits. This is a very high level of paralysis and Dr Allen knew that the man was in danger of having his muscles for breathing paralyzed, and he would die.

An army helicopter based in Pekanbaru was unable to help as it was flying to another destination. Also, without fuel in Mentawais, the heli would take 5 hours to reach the charter boat as it would need to stop and refuel in Padang.

The Surf Charter boat could return to Padang port but this would take 20 hours and the motion of the sea might cause further damage to the broken neck and trigger respiratory failure. This was a life or death situation.

Dr Allen indicated that he had enough fuel to get to south Mentawai and maybe enough to get directly to Padang. So realizing the life and death nature of the problem, he flew to Sikakap in South Mentawi to meet the charter boat Barrenjoey. At the wharf, Dr Allen examined 35 yo Darren Longbottom and talked the situation over with 2 French doctors and an Australian insurance doctor via telephone. The medical consensus was that the patient needed immediate medical evacuation using the helicopter.

The boat captain agreed that the best chance of saving this man’s life was to ask Dr Allen to fly him by helicopter to Padang where there was a private jet medivac aircraft waiting to transport Mr Longbottom to Singapore. The boat captain was aware that the aircraft was not licensed to fly his passenger but the first concern was to save his life making best use of what ever facilities were available.

Mr Longbottom is 180 cm tall and 95 kg and it took some time to cut a back spinal board to size and to fit him comfortably and securely into the Robinson R22 helicopter. This was done, the helicopter, was refuelled and Dr Allen flew East to coastal West Sumatera and north along the coast toward Padang.

Unfortunately, securing Mr Longbottom into helicopter had taken quite some time and soon Dr Allen realized that he would not be able to fly directly to Padang because of failing daylight and heavy haze. Dr Allen made a late afternoon landing at Tarusan Cerokok and transported the patient to Padang international airport by local ambulance. The medivac aircraft departed for Singapore at 12 midnight and the patient is reported to be in stable condition in hospital but still paralysed from below the arm pits.

Dr Allen returned to the helicopter as soon as the medivac jet had departed and slept on the ground near the helicopter for security. The next day he spent at the Tarusan police station being interviewed/ interrogated, and also sleeping on concrete that night near the helicopter. The next day he spent at the helicopter being interviewed by Lanud officials and sleeping next to helicopter until he was able to arrange a truck to Lanud, Bandara Tabing after midnight.

Dr Allen is appealing for funding to continue the process of gaining Flight Approval. While the helicopter is held in Padang, Dr Allen will loose several days every time he needs to do maintenance work on the helicopter even though the work takes only 30 minutes to complete. Piston driven helicopters require regular engine starts to reduce the risk of corrosion and to comply with the manufacturers and NZ aviation authorities safety schedules. This requires Dr Derek to travel by boat and bus overland to Padang, a journey of 18 hrs one way every time he needs to check and maintain the helicopter. Every day spent in Padang is 50 sick people he is unable to see in Pulau Tello and surrounding islands. Some patients travel from outlying islands a long distance from Telos.

In Telos Dr Allen can take care of regular helicopter maintenance while continuing his medical assistance to the island community.

Of course Dr Derek Allen wants to fulfil the legal requirements of Indonesia and so enable this helicopter medical service to bring help to the communities in these poor and remote islands.
Darren Longbottom, the surfer that Dr Derek rescued, is recovering in Sydney. His story has been covered by Australian Surfing Life Magazine and his friends & local community have raised over A$160,000 to help the family. Derek was the unsung hero in all the media coverage to date and we think the world should know more about his amazing work and his bravery putting everything on the line to save Darren's life.

Dr Derek is helping remote island communities in the Mentawais, Telos and Nias islands where medical support is close to non-existent. The rescue has ironically put this vital work into jeopardy. Derek's helicopter is now impounded and his passport is being held by authorities. Derek needs help and he needs it fast! He has done nothing wrong.... in fact he did everything right! but rules are rules and he had to break a few to get the job done.

This appeal has been launched by friends of Troppodoc to raise funds so that a license can be arranged for the helicopter. Any surplus will be used to continue Derek's vital work in the islands. See http://flying-doctor.collectivex.com

Art Raffel Tickets - Support Island Aid and Win this Fine Work of Art

"Flourish" by Robin Collins

For those who could not attend our concert, here is a creative way to help with the funding drive for Lautan Megah.

New York artist Robin Collins has donated this fine work of art to support Island Aid. You can purchase raffle tickets by donating $20 via our PayPal button on the website or by mailing cheques to our San Francisco office.

The raffle closes on the 15th of April so please spread the word. The painting is titled "Flourish" (4ft x 5ft) and it is conservatively valued at over $5,000.

Lautan Megah in Padang!

After a "baptism by fire" delivery trip, Lautan Megah is anchored off Pulau Pisang directly in front of Island Aid headquarters in Padang. Weather conditions for the delivery were some of the worst in 40 years in Indonesia. A combination of multiple cyclones in the Indian Ocean and an extreme monsoon over South Asia generated very strong winds and destructive seas on both the north and south coasts of Java and Bali.

Shipping and interisland ferries were suspended for weeks and 200 village houses were lost on the north coast of Bali alone. The famous Kuta Beach in Bali was pounded by heavy seas and 30+ knot winds for periods of up to a week causing tidal flooding, sand drifts over roads and considerable damage to trees, vegetation and buildings near the beach.

Lautan Megah faced very rough seas in the Java Sea both on the first leg crossing from Sulawesi to Komodo and on the entire second leg up as far as Krakatau Volcano. Once we turned the corner of South Sumatra, the weather moderated and our run up the coast to the Mentawai Islands was a welcome relief. For more details of our voyage please visit The Engine Room.

Island Aid Concert - New York - January 27th

Click on the concert flier to enlarge it.

On January 27, 2008, Aliza Weinman, our NYC representative for Island Aid and Adam Bailey, our recently returned Sweden representative for Island Aid will be hosting a benefit event at the Sage Theater, 711 7th Ave. (near 48th St) in New York City.

The multimedia event features a powerful and varied program of international entertainment, food, drink all set in a creative ambiance.

Island Aid has secured underwriting for this event from a source, who wishes to remain anonymous, but the underwriter has stipulated that all proceeds from ticket sales get forwarded for the specific purpose of financing Island Aid's new aid ship the KM Lautan Mega.

Tickets are $100 for a single, $150 for a couple, $300 for a table of six and two student tables for $120. Ticket purchase is covered under non-profit tax statutes.

Please be among those who support Island Aid in this essential program. Tickets can be purchased using the “Donations” link from the Island Aid website (please add your name clearly in the info box) or by emailing Ken, kenbarimurray@gmail.com

Fund Us At No Cost While You Search & Shop on-line.

LAUTAN MEGA needs funding to operate and I would like to introduce a new piece of equipment we have just installed in the ENGINE ROOM. (our new working group where virtual & field volunteers meet and discuss ways to make Island Aid more effective and capable)

GiveStream is a new and unique on-line FUNDING GENERATOR. You can help Island Aid without spending anything at all just by telling others about our special ISLAND AID GiveStream page.

This elegant machinery puts ISLAND AID into the income stream of around 250 retail merchants, each of which generates a certain percentage as a donation direct to us following a successful purchase. The amount you will donate is stated transparently on every product purchase.

The ISLAND AID GiveStream Center also includes an easy to download toolbar with a built in product search engine for finding the very best deals by searching the web through Google, (all the while generating donations to the organization) You are not asked to do anything that you are not already doing every day…. just do it via our portal and help us without it costing you a cent.

If you tell enough other friends about this idea, ISLAND AID will be in a draw to be awarded upto $10,000 in matching donations from GiveStream.

Click here to make a difference from your own desktop just doing what you probably do many times every week.

Lautan Megah Reaches Bali

After weeks of hard work, 10 Island Aid volunteer crew arrived in Bali at the end of a 1,000+ nautical mile voyage through eastern Indonesia. We are downloading images and preparing a journal for publication as soon as our team return home.

Tsunamis Stike in Steps - Education could Reduce Fear of Huge First Wave

Stepped waves race towards this Swedish family in Phuket Dec 26th 2004. They all survived.
So did the anchored yachts.

The math of deadly waves
http://www.brightsurf.com/news/headlines/23137/The_math_of_deadly_waves.html

February 21, 2006 - When Walter Craig saw the images of the devastating 2004 Boxing Day Indian Ocean tsunami he felt compelled to act. So he grabbed a pencil and envelope and started calculating.

A little more than a year later, the mathematical analyst says that mathematics has a role to play in washing away misconceptions and myths about these deadly waves - and potentially saving lives.

"Predicting earthquakes is a grand challenge problem that's presently beyond us. But predicting a tsunami's potential based on these earthquakes is a doable problem and I think mathematicians can play an important role in this," says Dr. Craig, the Canada Research Chair for Mathematical Analysis and its Applications, at McMaster University in Hamilton, Canada.

"Mathematics is particularly well suited to defining the possibilities and limitations for a tsunami early warning system," says Dr. Craig. It's a conviction that's prompted him to co-organize the symposium on Tsunamis: Their Hydrodynamics and Impact on People at the annual meeting of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) in St. Louis, on Sunday, February, 19.

Dr. Craig studies the mathematical theory of wave equations that are derived from physics. In collaboration with colleagues he has applied these theories to scientific problems large and small, from the quantum mechanical oscillations of electrons to the cosmic waves that rippled through the newborn universe. But rarely, he says, does the mathematics of wave propagation meet a subject so full of immediate human importance as with understanding rogue waves.

Mathematics, he says, has a key role to play in dispelling mistaken assumptions about these waves. One such popular belief is that a tsunami's first wave surge is always the biggest.

"It's not necessarily the biggest crest in front," he cautions. "For example, in Sri Lanka the biggest crest was the third or fourth." In one case, he says, a vacationing British geologist at one Sri Lankan resort noted the initial modest, non-destructive surge and warned staff and tourists to clear the beach before the arrival of the larger, deadly surges.

Dr. Craig says that mathematical modelling of the Indian Ocean tsunami showed it to be close to what he calls a "classical wave packet" - the wave behaved in a manner very close to that predicted by mathematical theory. It followed the pattern of a group of waves travelling together as well as evolving in form as they crossed the ocean basin.

Because of differences in depth, the evolution of a tsunami is different in different ocean basins. For example, the Boxing Day tsunami travelled twice as fast in the deeper Indian Ocean than in the Andaman Basin. Tsunami waves are distinguished from ordinary wind-generated ocean waves by their great length between peaks, often exceeding 200 kilometres in the deep ocean, and by the long amount of time between these peaks, ranging from 15 minutes to an hour.

It's the length and width of tsunamis, rather than their at-sea height that reveals their massive power. The Indian Ocean tsunami had a crest length of about 1,200 kilometres. The surges that inundated the Sri Lankan coast were parts of waves that were a stunning 100 kilometres from crest to trough, but in mid-ocean were less than one metre in amplitude.

"It's amazing to think about this. Even if the wave is only a metre high at mid-sea, this is a huge amount of water and it gives a sense of how much energy it's carrying," says Dr. Craig.

Another widely held belief about tsunamis that gets washed away with mathematical modelling is that the surge is always preceded by the tide going abnormally far out.

"This only happens about half the time," explains Dr. Craig. "It depends on the wavelength and whether it's the trough or crest of the wave that reaches shore first. In half the cases it's the surge that arrives first."

Dr. Craig acknowledges that for the most part geologists and tsunami experts have a strong practical understanding of how these giant waves behave. But, he says, given the paucity of real-world data on tsunamis, there are still many outstanding questions.

"To a first order of approximation the current modelling of a tsunami's evolution in mid ocean is very good," says Dr. Craig. "Nonetheless, there is much less known about the generation of tsunami waves, and about the amplification effects as they impact on coastal areas. These are not easy mathematical problems. Experimentally they're not seen very often, so it's still a question as to whether we're using the right equations to study them."

He's presently begun work with McMaster University mathematics colleagues Drs. Bartosz Protas and Nicholas Kevlahan to apply mathematical tools from meteorological forecasting to understand the generation of large tsunamis from major earthquakes. For example, some earthquakes generate large waves, while others of the same magnitude produce little or no wave response. Their approach will use hindcasting techniques - looking back over previous patterns to understand how we arrived at present conditions - to develop predictive computational models for tsunami sources.

While better advanced warning systems can help in many cases, Dr. Craig says his immersion in tsunami science has shown him that a tsunami's speed and power sometimes can defy an early warning system. With a wave traveling at 700 kilometres an hour, his advice is, "If you feel an earthquake, go to higher ground."

Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council

Island Aid's New Support Vessel

Message from Rick & Jane in Padang:

On September 12th & 13th 2007, three mega quakes bracketed the southern Mentawais generating a tsunami and causing widespread damage. Since then over 70 quakes of 4.5 or greater intensity have buffeted the area. Island Aid assisted aid deliveries via partner NGOs and Government agencies and later using Electric Lamb. Constrained by the lack of a suitable platform we stepped up our efforts to find an aid ship. In late September an associate came to us with a long and complex story about a purchase contract for a small ship that was in dispute. He offered Island Aid the chance to take over the contract for a 100GRT GRP vessel, the KM Lautan Megah (trans: Great Ocean).

KM Lautan Megah during sea trials last week off Luwuk.

Events have unfolded rapidly. Island Aid Director Chris Ranken flew to Jakarta and on the 8th of October he arrived in Luwuk in Sulawesi to secure copies of technical documents and to appraise the vessel's suitability. His report gave us the confidence to commit to sorting out the legal tangle surrounding the stalled purchase contract. On the 29th of October, Island Aid's lawyer, Pak Nasdion Chalid signed a new contract to purchase the Lautan Megah in Surabaya and we agreed to make the final payment owing to secure the vessel subject to inspection. Nasdion and I left for Luwuk on the 4th of November to inspect and sea trial the vessel.

We took possession on the 7th of November and Jane flew to Luwuk on the 11th to help with modifications. Jane and I arrived back in Padang on the 21st of November with renovation work well underway and Lautan Megah in seaworthy condition.

In just 3 months we have raised 25% of our target for funding the ship. Our target is to raise a total of US$200,000 to cover balance of purchase, modifications, delivery, docking and equipping the Lautan Megah for her new role.

Donors to date are:

- Talisman Energy- Jim Buckee
- Gerard & Loon Dijkstra

Jim has just retired from heading up Talisman Energy and we greatly value his advice and guidance. Gerard will be known to many in yachting circles in the US. He has been the lead consultant in the rebuilding of most of the early Americas Cup J Boats including Elizabeth Meyer's Endeavour II. Gerard's most recent commission was to design the stunning Maltese Falcon refit.

These donors and partners have made the acquisition of Lautan Megah possible and now we would like to cast our net wider and raise the balance of the funds. Our target is to find an additional 25% by the 26th of December, the anniversary of the Indian Ocean Tsunami that bought us together to form Electric Lamb Mission. The balance of 50% we propose to raise by mid February to fund the modification and equipping of the ship.

Island Aid (as we are now known) now faces an unprecedented situation.

Seismic Synopsis

Note the 2007 quake cluster added by me to one of Cal Tech's maps. This is yet to be confirmed by the team who are studying the Sumatra Plate area. The Siberut /Telos area (between the 2005 and 2007 events) is now very highly loaded and overdue to slip. Observation and GPS monitoring confirm an alarming rate of subsidence on Siberut's East coast coupled with large creep measurements.

In the face of general paralysis and even complacency displayed by responsible institutions and inertia among the populations that are now at greatest risk, we must do all we can to prepare and find specific solutions for many isolated island communities who now face real and present danger. In the wake of the recent Mentawai earthquakes and tsunami, a great deal of reconstruction work lies ahead. The Mentawai & Telos Islands have some of the worst health statistics in all of Indonesia.

Early British explorers named the largest island, Siberut, "The Isle of Goed Fortuin" because of the abundance of natural resources enjoyed by the islanders. Since discovery by European traders, the Mentawais & Telos rich timber resources have been exploited by a succession of colonial interests and local administrations but very little of the island's wealth has been reinvested in the form of infrastructure.

There are almost no roads, no power grid, two tiny airstrips, and telecommunications are limited to a few larger towns. Limited medical facilities are out of reach of the vast majority of the population. The Mentawai - Telos archipelago stretches for over 320 nm, has a land area 50% greater than Bali and is home to over 100,000 people. Our new mission is clear.

Aceh and Nias proved the effectiveness of our sea bridge concept and we can now apply what we learned to achieve what others are not equipped to attempt.

Our strategy to enploy a small fuel efficient ship and a fleet of beach landing boats remains unchanged. The proximity of the Mentawais and Telos Islands to mainland ports argues for a smaller more nimble ship than the Batavia and we believe we have found the ideal platform in Lautan Megah.

We must be flexible and keep administrative overheads to the minimum. We will now need to employ crew and key staff but we have a clear and viable plan to not only support the ship operation but to generate a surplus that can be used for community work in the region.

Our focus in modifying the new ship will be to accommodate medical and first responder teams as well as carry as much hand loaded aid as possible. Once we have established the service and have a settled cash flow, we will investigate other vessels for heavy cargo work. Lautan Megah's passenger accommodation space, deck cargo and fuel capacity are more than adequate for the role we envisage in the Mentawai/Telos area.

To make an online contribution please visit our website www.island-aid.org and click the 'donate' buttons.

Supporters open to a more 'hands-on' long term involvement may make a 'soft investment' in the company we will establish to own the Lautan Megah. Soft investors may be corporations, individuals or groups who are able to make a minimum commitment of US$20,000 for a 10 year period interest and dividend free. Our target is to raise $200,000 from 10 subscribers for shares in the ship-owning company.

This type of 'soft investment' is not a tax deductible donation and sponsors/soft investors will be offered the option of prominent logo placement on the ship and on our website. We will work with soft investors to publish a custom corporate responsibility page featuring Island Aid activities onboard the ship and in target communities. In this way corporations or business people can utilize advertising or corporate responsibility budgets at low long term cost while conserving their capital.

I am preparing a more detailed proposal for circulation to interested parties but please feel free to forward this message to anyone you think may be keen to be involved.

Warm regards

Rick & Jane in Padang

Electro-hydraulic variable pitch propellor controls, electro-hydraulic
Steering and autopilot station, radar, GPS, VHS, SSB. Built as a government
funded fisheries research vessel, no expense was spared.

Main engine is a Yanmah 6UA-UT 750 hp at 950 rpm
Cruise speed is 10.5knots at 650 rpm = 65 ltrs/hr total or 1.5 tons/day
(compare this with Batavia at 445ltrs/hr or 10.5 tons/day)

The hull is 30mm solid GRP. Decks are 40mm GRP/Balsa sandwich
All rails, funnel, vents and masts are stainless steel
Doors are watertight.

Ship builders in Luwuk installing new hardwood rails and bollards.

Carpenters working on the new convertible cargo/accommodation space

Island Aids new headquarters