Click for Northern Lights Click for Perko Click for Glendinning Click for Delta Click for Abeking

advice sought: Haitian departure?

Discussion in 'General Yachting Discussion' started by Colin Rowat, Mar 24, 2024.

  1. Colin Rowat, Mar 24, 2024
    #1
    Colin Rowat

    Colin Rowat New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2020
    Messages:
    11
    Location:
    London
    My cousin has been on La Gonâve for her development charity.

    She says that there are currently no evacuation flight plans for Canadians such as herself.

    She is relatively safe, as La Gonâve is not accessible by land from Port-au-Prince, but I saw anxiety in a video update she recently posted.

    Thus, I am looking for advice on whether it would be feasible to consider a maritime departure for her.

    Thank you in advance,

    Colin
  2. Norseman, Mar 24, 2024
    #2
    Norseman

    Norseman Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2005
    Messages:
    3,166
    Location:
    Ft. Lauderdale
    In theory it should be doable to charter a boat from either The Dominican Republic, or Jamaica to do s pick-up from La Gonave then high tail it out of there.
    Not sure about custom and immigration check in facilities, if they are even operating in the midst
    Of the revolution, civil war, chaos or whatever is going on in Haiti right now.
    If the Haitians have patrol boats in the bay (doubtful) they could impound a charter boat and arrest the crew and passengers.
    Maybe a quick helicopter evacuation from the beach would be a safer, but more expensive option?
    Colin Rowat likes this.
  3. gcsi, Mar 24, 2024
    #3
    gcsi

    gcsi Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 18, 2011
    Messages:
    123
    Location:
    tampa
    Colin: I’ve flown into/out of Haiti a few hundred times after the earthquake. At that time there was a UN presence at most airports so risk was manageable. Speaking with Haitian friends, this is MUCH worse…. Unfortunately, I don’t know anyone on LaGonave so can’t offer any real intel.

    Anse a Galets airport is a relatively short unimproved dirt strip. Your best bet will be finding someone with a STOL aircraft (Islander, Kodiak, etc…) to do a quick grab. Try FBOs in the DR and Jamaica looking for a charter outfit. I’ll PM some possible contacts.
    Brett
    Colin Rowat likes this.
  4. dennismc, Mar 28, 2024
    #4
    dennismc

    dennismc Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 29, 2009
    Messages:
    1,178
    Location:
    Vancouver BC
    Cdn news outlets reporting helicopters evacuating Cdns from Haiti, was on news last night.
    Colin Rowat likes this.
  5. Colin Rowat, Mar 30, 2024
    #5
    Colin Rowat

    Colin Rowat New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2020
    Messages:
    11
    Location:
    London
    Thank you! This is great news. I'm getting in touch with my cousin's husband now, in case he's not heard.
  6. Colin Rowat, Apr 2, 2024
    #6
    Colin Rowat

    Colin Rowat New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2020
    Messages:
    11
    Location:
    London
    I've just heard from my cousin's husband: she's made it to Miami. No further details as yet.

    Thank you for your thoughts and help.
    Last edited: Apr 2, 2024
    leeky, motoryachtlover and gr8trn like this.