Hurricane Felix – Disaster Response 9.6.07

48 Hrs. after the passing

Tonight, in a high-speed miracle, with well-provisioned ship, the boys set sail for Big Sandy Bay. Caught up by this spirit, two dive boats follow them north with supplies and water. This charging rescue fleet’s departure is bittersweet. News has come in that at least 100 men are dead in the offshore Cayes 12-20 miles east of Big Sandy Bay. The storm killed some and the rest died of thirst, marooned in the saltwater mangroves; a bitter end. As incredibly fast as this rescue has developed, we are too late for the offshore islets, the Cayes, regrettably.

In reading the papers, I suppress a nervous laugh at the casualty count. 4, then 12, now twenty with 200 missing. That must be the number in Puerto Cabezas; and I’m sure it is low.

How can uncounted Indians be missing? As I know this coast well, I know that many hundreds have died with many more to come, unless there is intervention. Cholera may break out from unburied bodies and dysentery is already draining people to death. The government does not want to look like the "Katrina Clowns", so the “real” official numbers may never be counted.

Josh, Jason and the indomitable Juan Samuel will know the real story in the morning, about 60 hrs. after the passing. They will work without ceasing to save people and be out of communication for a few days. I wish my son, Josh, and his comrades health and success in the climax of their rescue; I can only wait to hear from them and pray for their safety and success.

We’ve done pretty well with nothing, yet again. I hope you will support Sub Ocean Safety to empower us to assist these people further. If you want to see a milliion dollar rescue with $130, stay tuned.

IZ, is
http://www.suboceansafety.com/