Media Contact: Sandra VanTel. 1-800-396-1002[email protected]
NORFOLK, VA (Nov. 1, 2000) -- The decommissioned U.S. Coast Guard cutter, the White Holly, will set sail next week from Norfolk, Virginia, on the first leg of a history-making journey that will take the refitted medical vessel to the Tropical Pacific. There, staffed by volunteer healthcare professionals, it will provide much-needed medical services to residents of the Marshall Islands. Following what was literally an "act of Congress" last year, ownership of the White Holly was legally transferred to Canvasback Missions, Inc., on Sept. 10, 1999. This marked the first time in U.S. history that Coast Guard vessels were released to a domestic organization for refitting and reactivation--decommissioned vessels are typically 'recycled' as part of foreign aid packages.
Prior to departing on the first leg of its journey to the Marshall Islands on Nov. 8, the White Holly will be open to public tours on Saturday and Sunday, November 4 and 5, from Noon to 4 p.m. each day. Then on Wednesday, Nov. 8, at 6:00 a.m. EST, the vessel is scheduled to set sail on the first leg of its journey, which will culminate in the Marshall Islands in November, 2001. Ports of call on the one-year journey include:
Jacksonville, FL February 3-4, 2001Savannah, GA February 10-11, 2001Ft. Lauderdale, FL February 17-18, 2001Tampa, FL March 3-4, 2001Panama Canal March 25-26, 2001San Diego, CA April 21-22, 2001Long Beach, CA April 28-29, 2001San Francisco, CA May 5-6, 2001Portland, OR June 6-10, 2001Sacramento, CA August 8-12, 2001Honolulu, HI November 9-10, 2001Marshall Islands December, 2001
"Never before has a decommissioned Coast Guard cutter been released to a domestic organization for refitting and reactivation--decommissioned vessels are typically 'recycled' as part of foreign aid packages," says Mike Hakanson, a chaplain in the U.S. Naval Reserve and a member of Project Canvasback, a nonprofit Christian medical organization providing health care to the Marshall Islands.
For 12 years, Canvasback co-founders Jamie and Jaque Spence have operated a 71-foot catamaran, the Canvasback, that also delivered medical care to the Marshall Islands. Over time, the needs of the population have far outgrown the catamaran's limited facilities, and larger vessels were needed to continue providing medical care in this under-served area.
"The Marshall Islands have long been plagued by poverty, poor health education, and a lack of modern healthcare, three factors that have resulted in sometimes appalling conditions," Spence explains. "Nearly half of the adult population has adult-onset diabetes, and the epidemic is accelerating. Every decade the age of onset has decreased by 10 years, and now patients in their teens and 20s are being diagnosed with diabetes," explained Spence.
According to Spence, this escalating epidemic can be attributed to a changing lifestyle. Under the United States Trust Territory Government, implemented after WWII, the traditional barter economy changed to a cash economy. White flour, sugar, rice and shortening have replaced traditional foods such as breadfruit and taro. Traditional fishing and agriculture have been replaced by more sedentary lifestyles. Many island mothers feed their children uncooked white flour mixed with water and sugar. "Given this sobering data, it is no wonder that 38 percent of outer island children are anemic and 24 percent are growth stunted," said Spence. Beyond that, 63.3 babies per thousand will die in infancy, and half of the deaths of children under age five result from respiratory infections, malnutrition, prematurity and diarrhea.
Over the past 12 years, Canvasback has delivered about a million dollars in health care and medicine a year to the Marshall Islands. With the larger vessel, capable of carrying some of the special foods needed to help stem the epidemic-proportion diabetes, Canvasback anticipates that it will be able to deliver double that amount of care each year.
Since being transferred to Canvasback Missions last year, the White Holly has been in Baltimore and Norfolk for refitting and modifications, which are necessary to provide medical service. To finance the modifications, put the crew on board, and deliver the vessels into service in the Marshall Islands, Canvasback launched a capital campaign to raise $2,553,239.
"We have a 'shopping list,'" says Spence. "First, and most obviously, we need to raise funds to finish paying for the re-fit, the crew, and the voyage to the Marshall Islands. At that point, the trust account kicks in to pay for the upkeep and operation of the vessels. Equally important, we need volunteers, and qualified Christian seamen and women. There are lots of jobs for both skilled and unskilled volunteers in getting these ships ready for service."
In particular, Canvasback needs a high level marine coordinator experienced in this class of vessel to see the ship through refit and dry dock. A captain and chief engineer are also needed, as are experienced welders, electricians and computer technicians.
In addition to re-fitting for medical service, the boats have been converted for civilian purposes with existing barracks quarters divided up into small cabins. Modifications include dividing both the aft section and forecastle into cabins for staff, volunteers, cadets, and Marshall Islands health care providers. The deck crane will be replaced with an articulating crane, and a sea water desalinator will be installed. Other modifications include conversion of part of the forecastle into a medical/dental facility.
Canvasback anticipates having the White Holly in-service in the Marshall Islands by December, 2001.
For information on donating funds to Canvasback, or for information on volunteer opportunities, please call 1-800-793-SAIL (1-800-793-7245), or send e-mail to [email protected] More information is also available on the Canvasback website: www.canvasback.org.
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OUTSTANDING PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES:WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 4, and Sunday, Nov. 5, 2000 from Noon -- 4 p.m. WHERE: The National Maritime Center Nauticus
One Waterside Drive, Norfolk, VAWHAT: White Holly Vessel Tours, 12-Minute Introduction VideoWHY: The White Holly is the first vessel ever donated by the U.S. Congress to a nonprofit medical organization. On Wednesday, Nov. 8, the vessel will be launched on the first leg of its journey to the Marshall Islands where it will begin providing much-needed medical care late next year.DEPARTURE DATE: Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2000, 6:00 a.m. EST -- Vessel departs on the first leg of its historic journey to the Marshall Islands (Ports of call listed below)
ON-SITE MEDIA CONTACT: Barbara Schobert, 757-441-6380
AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEWS: Jamie and Jacque Spence, co-founders of Canvasback Missions Inc. Lt. Michael Hakanson, Chaplain, U.S. Naval Reserve; Canvasback Project Director
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For media information and to arrange interviews, please call 1-800-396-1002.
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