Sailing Expedition Out Of Kwaj To Track Debris From Japan Tsunami Trajedy
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- Registered: Jul 16, 2002
- Last visit: Feb 01, 2013
- Posts: 1734
Posted: Oct 21, 2011 - 06:29 AM
Thought this article on NY Times blog about sailing ship expedition that will, per report, depart from Kwajalein in May 2012 might be of interest. At reported participation fee of $13K plus per person to be part of the crew for a 23 day expedition, means well off folks will be participating - folks with money to spend.
http://green.bl…apans-tsunami/
More details are at http://www.pane…h-pacific-gyre
I have to ask -- if this ship is laying over for one week (per the Pangaea Exploration web site) at Kwajalein, and if by "Kwajalein" the expedition is referring to USAKA, vice Ebeye, why?
Why not have that ship go to Majuro or Ebeye for the layover and let the local economy benefit from six - seven days of hotel stays and restaurant meals by folks who can afford to spend over $13K each to be part of the expedition? Why shouldn't the RMI benefit from the refueling and other refitting that their expedition ship may need over that period?
Nice that (apparently) Army is letting these folks use USAKA but if security is such a big concern, why opening up to group whose qualification to get onto USAKA apparently is solely based on being able to shell out $13K+ each for the privilege?
OK, I know I am being petty and kind of a jerk to raise all this but, truthfully, I think USAKA, if that is the base of operations for this expedition, should politely decline and advise Pangaea Exploration (the sponsor) that Majuro (if not Ebeye) is fully capable of supporting their visit to the Marshall Islands. Let the RMI derive whatever financial benefits are available through this.
“I hope the signing of the LUA (Land Use Agreement) allows the Government of the Marshall Islands more time to focus on the biggest issues it faces – how to raise the level of education and health of the Marshallese people and how to create an economy that will be stable after direct US funding ends in 2023.”
US Ambassador to the Marshall Islands Martha Campbell, as quoted by MI Journal, 13 May 2011, pg 4
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- Registered: Dec 10, 2008
- Last visit: May 21, 2012
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Posted: Oct 21, 2011 - 08:15 PM
Um, sounds logical. Thanks. -
- Registered: Jan 04, 2008
- Last visit: Feb 11, 2013
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Posted: Oct 22, 2011 - 04:53 AM
In my viewpoint, I think this is a good opportunity for our health/environmentalist folks to participate. This operation will enable them to broader view and better understanding about our sea water, which is our significant food resource. They will learn from expert/scientist on board during this operation. Although$13K is a lot of $$$ for 23 days of expetition/training, the strategic operation will benefit the RMI in the long run: It will help educate our folks who are responsible ensuring our environment is safe. Yes, it's too much $$, but again, this is good for our health and our environment anyways.
It would be nice to see the RMI select two personnel to attend this operation to learn from, bring home the knowledge, and be able to train the health/environmental sectors. The fact is $26K is nothing compare to the cost of a year-long treatment for two persons infected with TB.
I believe this is more important than making profit to fuel comanies, restaurants and hotels.
Pettitt, I appreciate your thoughts. Thanks.
edited by: Neen_JekEiin, datetimebrief -
- Registered: Jul 16, 2002
- Last visit: Feb 01, 2013
- Posts: 1734
Posted: Oct 24, 2011 - 07:41 AM
Agree with thrust of Neen_JekEin's comment but not with RMI paying for participation.
First, get the "hosting" / reprovisioning / reprovisioning, hotel and restaurant $$ for one week moved from USAKA (if that is where currently going out of). Direct your government liaison at USAKA to formally present this request to the USAKA Commander. If not changed within 30 days, take it to the US Ambassador and formally ask for this, as means of helping your students and helping your economy.
Next, request that Pangaea Exploration make a presentation on their expedition, and its goals, to CMI students. Your students should get exposed to this and what scientists are doing in your nation. Take advantage of it.
Next, request Pangaea Exploration to host at least one outstanding CMI student. CMI can pay for the airfare from Japan (next stop of the sailboat on this expedition) back to the RMI and the student on return can present a class with video / photos (that he or she took) on what he or she observed and learned.
Folks, expeditions like Pangaea Exploration are in your soverign waters, doing their study. The RMI has every right to ask for something in return. Your student can also be your observer, to ensure that nothing is done that you have not agreed with. You are not the US - you are a developing nation and you need to take advantage of EVERY opportunity to gain for your nation (not for the elite - for your nation).
I would be proactive and deliberately aggressive on this sort of opportunity. You should communicate to the Army that the RMI, not USAKA, should host ANY scientific expedition or ANY study that is coming to the RMI for ANY reason that is NOT SPECIFICALLY CONNECTED TO USAKA AND ITS MISSION. Period.
And if Pangaea Exploration does not want to provide any spot for a student / help CMI, then take it to sphere of public opinion. Put a news release on that refusal to help your student while in the RMI on Pacific Island Reports. Tell it to Greenpeace - I am sure they would love to highlight on their Web site. Bring it up at any Forum you attend and ask other Island nations how they ensure groups like this are bringing something to that nation and not simply taking.
There are so few opportunities like this out there - you must take advantage of it. And if Pangaea Exploration decides they will not stop in the RMI and spend any money and will not doing anything to help your students and decides to take their sailboat somewhere else, what have you lost?
edited by: pettittm, datetimebrief
“I hope the signing of the LUA (Land Use Agreement) allows the Government of the Marshall Islands more time to focus on the biggest issues it faces – how to raise the level of education and health of the Marshallese people and how to create an economy that will be stable after direct US funding ends in 2023.”
US Ambassador to the Marshall Islands Martha Campbell, as quoted by MI Journal, 13 May 2011, pg 4
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