Owner, crew of the vessel scramble
to address the Coast Guard’s safety,
licensing requirements as deadline looms
Updated at 1:25 p.m. EST
MIAMI — Negotiations between the owner of the Sea Hunter and the local Coast Guard station progressed this morning toward a possible compromise that would allow the Maine-based ship to continue its relief mission to an orphanage in Haiti.
“We’re continuing to talk,” said Greg Brooks of Gorham, the Sea Hunter’s owner, after speaking to Coast Guard officials repeatedly both in person and by cell phone.
“I’m hoping there’s a solution in sight,” Brooks said.
Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Michael Lingaitis visited the Sea Hunter late in the morning to deliver a “hold order” which would prevent the Sea Hunter from departing for Les Cayes, Haiti, before safety and licensing issues have been resolved.
“We’re willing to work with you,” Lingaitis told Brooks during a conference in the ship’s galley. “Let’s keep discussing this.”
The Sea Hunter, loaded with relief supplies donated by people and businesses through Maine and New England, sailed here from Portland without a licensed ship master, first mate and engineer as required by Coast Guard regulations.
Click on the link for the rest of today’s column by Bill Nemitz of the Portland Press Herald.
Posted in Disaster, Maine
Tagged aid, Coast Guard, crew, earthquake, Greg Brooks, Haiti, Haitians, Les Cayes, licensed engineer, licensed first mate, licensed ship master, licsnesing, Miami, relief, safety, Sea Hunter, vessel
My name is Keith Michaud and this is “Letters From Away,” a blog written by a Mainer living outside the comfortable and sane confines of New England. The blog is intended for Mainers, whether they live in the Pine Tree State or beyond, and for anyone who has loved ’em, been baffled by ’em or both. Ayuh, I am “from away.” Worse still, I live on the Left Coast – in California. Enjoy! Or not. Your choice.
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