Hurricane Dorian Relief; Green Turtle Cay & Marsh Harbor

If you google "yachts relief supplies for bahamas dorian" you will find an article in the Sun-Sentinel newspaper detailing ways you can participate in helping out the Bahamas.

I'm not familiar with the Bahamian government, but if they are as efficient and ethical as most other governments then those poor people are going to get screwed twice.

The only negative I can think of is if one was to pack a private boat full of supplies and find somewhere to dock, people will be more and more desperate as time goes on and I'd fear being overrun or even worse, hijacked by people wanting to leave.
Get the freighters, barges, ships packed quickly and have them deal with the government to distribute. I'd happily be in the first wave of private boats but something is making me think twice.

There is a big effort by the yachting community in general. If anyone wants to help, I can personally vouch for Yacht Aid Global, and would recommend donating cash. www.yachtaidglobal.org

They have boots on the ground already, and the first support yacht (Loon) is underway already.

From M/Y Loon today:
We departed Nassau at 0600 this morning loaded to the brim with supplies and DART team of 12 to keep the vessel secure and to secure the port in Marsh Harbour.
Conditions are tolerable with approx 15’ following seas and 20-25kts of wind directly behind us.
We hope to be in the Abacos tonight and begin tender runs ashore with the most vital supplies as soon as possible.
There is still tons of supplies and donations needed. Please keep on your network asking people to donate to YachtAid Global

Scattered (and poorly documented) reports of lawlessness coming in. Be careful if you're going there.

And better yet, read this first:

https://www.****************/trawle...zr-4hEIZK_34OF89MoSBx9nh_C-IxVXGJcLbwnyIX6oSg

Agree with this. When Katrina badly damaged Biloxi a couple of us got together and sent a truck load of much needed bottled water there. Was supposed to go to a local charity store, they supposedly sent it to a church and we were never able to verify what happened to the shipment. So, verify who you are sending funds are supplies to before jumping in. Good organizations will get established there, probably too early now.

Do you have boats available to ship in to the Cays? With no ferry service can only imagine how bad the situation on those small Cays. The Abaco sound is probably loaded with debris and boats, knowing you will be careful. Had a friend we helped that was carrying gasoline (huge shortage) in bladder tanks to Panama city after Michael, they needed it to run generators and chain saws, water and food was being handle by FEMA. Water , food, and temporary housing is going to take a huge effort at the Cays, having to bring all in by boat. Good on you and the owner for jumping in, locals will forever appreciate you guys.

These people also appear to have some real action going... (And their foundation matches $ for $)

https://www.gofundme.com/f/hurrican...1-donation-receipt-wp-v5&utm_content=internal

I wouldn't personally donate to any GoFundMe account set up by an individual I didn't personally know and didn't know he was the one to do it. He may be the most honorable man in the world, but how am I to be sure?

Your concern is valid, and you're never sure, which is why a little vetting goes a long way.

For what it's worth they are involved with Intervol a genuine 501(3)-(c) from the same town as he is (Rochester NY). I called Intervol and asked some questions. Sounded like a real organization. So are the websites of the Sands Foundation and Constellation brands. (From Victor NY next to Rochster). So these all appear to be family/community ties.

Everything I read adds up. No flags. The language is correct. I'm a pretty suspicious person myself with a half century of spotting scheisters and I'm satisfied that this is in fact a group of people that have real ties to the island and are genuinely helping.

Or this is a Bernie Madoff quality ruse. Seems like a lot of work for a half a million. And it's "out there" enough that someone who knows all these people would ring the bell.

YMMV.

Big hands into all pockets. NEMA, it's up to you to go set up tents at available docks if you want these boats to "properly register". Want this to be rebuilt fast? Get the heck out of the way and allow private efforts to flow.

Let's see...I want to help. I can be in Abaco with a load of materials in 10 hours. Or, I can pass through Customs in Bimini and be to Abaco in nearly three times the time. I don't believe the rescue need cares whether or not I properly register and pay duty. They want me there now.

Right on! It would help if the Bahamian gov would put up a list of items initially needed and where on an Official Site so individuals willing to bring them can co-ordinate and not waste time.There are necessities the survivors need now. Nothing wrong with inspecting and verifying shipments declared by those delivering, but don't take all day, duty free....Like the idea of individuals bringing needed supplies, just need some co-ordination to flow well.