International Superyacht Society Crew of the Year Award

I just recieved this email from my friend and founder of Yacht Aid Global, Mark Drewelow

Big news,,,, the International Superyacht Society has awarded all Captains and Crew that participate in YAG activity, the ISS crew of the year award. I will be in Florida on Oct 29 to accept the award on behalf of all Captain and Crew that participate.

We have been partnering with Mark and YAG with the yachts good will efforts as we travel from place to place. Mark and I collaborated on the hugely rewarding Komodo School Fence Project as well.

More from Mark Drewelow 30 October at 13:58
It is very late at night on Thursday, actually it is now Friday. I am back from the International Superyacht Society Awards Gala. This is an annual event where awards are presented for Design and Leadership. One of the awards is called the Distinguished Crew Award. YAG was awarded this on behalf of all the Captain and Crew out there that YAG.

There was a 3 minute introduction by Gary of Westrec with a series of YAG slides on two huge screens. I then went on stage to receive the award and say a few words. There were a few tears shed in the audiance. The combinate of the intro, slides and my jumbled words on stage apparently made a powerful impact. YAG stands alone in our industry.

Stay tuned for more information.
Best regards
Mark

I hope that by the ISS recognizing the handfull of yachts that are really making a goodwill effort as they travel, that more and more yacht crews and owners will become proactive in the communities they travel to.

Get involved at what ever level, whether it is contributing clothing or school supplies, cleaning a beach, volunteering at a school or hospital, teaching skills or building a fence it all takes so little time and effort and the reward for all involved is immeasurable.

As a boating community I feel that we generally "take" from the areas we cruise and do not necessarily leave a positive footprint. I believe in Karma as a Captain and I have seen and felt first hand the good coming back to us in direct proportion to the good we give.

I can only imagine what the reception and attitude towards cruisers would be like if the majority rather than just a few of us found a way to contribute in the areas we get so much from.

Tim

Komodo Island School Fence Completion Report

I. Project Description
School Fence Completion Report
Project Title Location Work Volum Source of Budget: Tim Forderer, C2C and Philip Palmer
Project Timeline: 3 ‐ 15 Sept 2009

II. Narative Description
Background.
There are a total of four villages inside Komodo National Park. Komodo Island has one village; Rinca Island has two villages named Rinca and Kerora; and Papagarang Island has one village. Komodo village is the most populated among the four villages. As of 2009 (August) a total of population of Komodo Village is 1368 residents. Although there is primary school in Komodo village since long time ago, but only 70 percent of children completed their six years of primary school. Less than 25 percent of those who finish primary school continue onto junior high school in Labuan Bajo or other town. However, since mid of 2008, a junior high school class has been started by using primary school buidling. Junior high school building is now under construction and need to build a ring fence.

The reason why need fencing.
The Junior high school building is located next to primary school building that has already been fenced. The two building are located in the area of Komodo National Park where the wild animal ; Komodo Dragon (Varanus komodoensis) run wild freely but tightly protected. Komodo Dragon is a dangerious predatory animal and can attack not only prey but also human. Thi is the basic reason why the school buildings should be fenced. The fence is intended to prevent komodo dragon entering from the school area with 89 student, so teaching and learning process can take place in a safety condition.

The fence building was already discussed with the vice headmaster together with Tim Forderer. They committed to commence the fence improvement after Ramadhan holiday. The bamboo fence has been successfully built by involving local people including youth organisation, teachers and also students. This fence is very useful to protect a number of 90 students and several teachers from dragon attack that can happen at any time and in any place. All materials for this fence were imported from Labuan Bajo, Flores Island using traditional boat. Some remaining materials (bamboos) will be used to improve and replace some part of the old fence behind the elementary school.

Renold Ch Manalu
Community Development and Outreach Manager
Gang Mesjid Kampung Cempa, Labuan Bajo, Manggarai Barat, Flores-NTT, 86554, Indonesia T: +62-385-41448, +62-385-41328 F : +62-385-41225 | M : +62-811-385-1696 rmanalu@putrinagakomodo.com | gokomodo.org | komodonationalpark.org
PT. Putri Naga Komodo is an enterprise partnership between The Nature Conservancy, the Global Environment Facility and the International Finance Corporation

North Cape Yacht Club Sailing School Benefit

I am super excited to be going back to Toledo Ohio over Thanksgiving this year. This is where my love and passion for sailing all started. It started with my Dad teaching me to sail in #100 Interlake (a 18 foot centerboard sailboat) off of my Grandfathers dock in Lost Peninsula on the Ottawa River.

Its always very, very special for me to go back to Toledo and see my friends here. This is the place that I have very strong personal connections to for many reasons, this is the place that I call home. When you only spend three weeks a year in the USA, I think the place you call home is a pretty "strong call."

Here is the information for the NCSS Benefit. If you are in or near Toledo over Thanksgiving weekend I would love to see you! Below is also a number for RSVP.

Thanks Leslie Hill and her "crew" for putting this all together - I am very grateful, humbled and EXCITED!

_____________________________________________________________________________

THANKSGIVING WEEKEND
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28, 2009
THE North Cape SAILING SCHOOL PRESENTS:

TRAVELS AROUND THE WORLD WITH PROFESSIONAL SAILING CAPTAIN TIM FORDERER

FROM THE FOUR CORNERS OF THE EARTH TIM WILL PRESENT HIS SAILING AND GOODWILL TRAVELS DOING WHAT HE LOVES CIRCUMNAVIGATING THE WORLD ON THE 90 FT YACHT VIVID. SOME OF THE DESTINATIONS INCLUDE THAILAND, INDONESIA, NEW ZEALAND, AUSTRALIA, CUBA, PAPUA NEW GUINEA, GREENLAND AND MANY MORE.

JOIN US FOR DINNER AND A GREAT PROGRAM FEATURING:

Junior Program – 5:00 – 6:00
Dinner – 6:00 – 7:00
Presentation – 7:00 – 9:00
Menu – Clam Chowder, Crab Cakes, Bread, Salad, Dessert
Price - $12.00 adults (includes program)
Kids - $5.00 (Pizza included)
Program only no food - $5.00

Reservations for dinner are greatly appreciated. Contact Leslie Hill at 734.243.1222.

All proceeds benefit the North Cape Sailing School.

Arte Moris (Art Lives!)

Right now we are underway from Dili East Timor to Ambon Indonesia. Just about 150 nm to go. The coolest thing happened in Dili over the past three days.

First take a second and check out www.artemoris.org just read the quick history about the group.

So about Arte Moris, I stumbled on this place while out taking pictures in East Timor. The vivid colors of the wall murals and graffiti stood out boldly in an other wise colorless roadside.

As I walked to the entrance I had an immediate strong sense that I was entering someplace very special. At first I thought it was just another broken down and abandoned building complex. Quickly I realized that this was an artists sanctuary. This place was a safe haven, a place of peace and harmony, a place for freedom of expression and an incubator for creativity and personal growth. Every place I looked was art and young Timorese kids working on their creations. This was the first place that I walked in Timor where every one seemed chilled, happy and with moving with a sence of purpose. The positive energy and vibe that was generating from the people and this place was very strong and I could feel it.

If you have never been to Timor, this place is the worlds newest democratic and free country. It did not become this with out a heavy social impact. It took years of struggle and violence and that is not over. Timor is a place that is in general grossly impoverished, barb wire and high prison like fences around every building and home, UN Police and western military on constant patrol, homeless children, kids working in a dry river bed from sun up to sun down sifting stones for building material and earning $12 a truck load..thats about 4 usd a week. The real victims in all of this have been the Timorese youth.

Amidst all of this is Arte Moris a colorful sparkling vibrant gem. Basically a free art live in community for refugee children. Simply amazing...

I was emotionally moved and motivated with in 5 minutes at this place. I wandered around, soaking up the vibe letting my heart lead me. I knew I had to find a way to connect. I knew that my brother Chris would love this place and that sister Ann and brother Matt would as well with their deep Art involvement and passion.

At the back of the compound I met the young Timorese director Iliwatu and Charline. They could see my enthusiasm immediately as I was having trouble getting clear understandable sentences out. I had 30 questions all coming out of my mouth simotaniusly and squeezed in that endless stream of questions I kept muttering WOW! This Place is Amazing....


We spent about an hour together and I had some ideas taking shape. In this hour I learned a great deal about the history, the people involved, the strong life changing impact that Arte Morsi was having on the kids that come through. I learned of an international exhibit they did in Australia. I learned the far reaching benefits (to all involved) of their international exposure. I shared with them Ann's recent hugely successful project "Beyond the Borders" http://www.beyondtheborder-art.com/ I shared with them Matt's collaborative projects with the Paint Night Group. www.mattforderer.com

I went home that night buzzing and could barely sleep. I had an idea shaping and that was not going to let me rest.

The next morning I put my "smart" duds on and walked confidently up to the American Embassy. I walked up and handed the emotionless embassy security my passport and I said.."I would like to see the US Ambassador for Timor!". With a little finesse about 10 minutes later I was sitting in a comfortable room with the US Ambassadors' Public Relations Director. I shared my initial vision of getting a group of Arte Moris Artists and their works to the United States for a cultural, educational experience and a art exhibition in San Diego. I was met with open minded, support. The US Embassy knew very well of the group and was a fan. The embassy was also keen to show the American Public a positive Timorese image. I suggested the biggest help they could provide would be handling all of the Visa paperwork and in the air transport to and from for the artists and their exhibit. On the spot he offered an initial green light of support and a general commitment to modest financial support. Ok so now I am really buzzing.

I shot out to the Arte Moris compound and shared the news with them. I shared with them the vision of the USA opportunity, which was really the sum of their "wish list" from my conversation with them. It was a shared vison and it was becoming a reality. Understandably, they where cautiously enthusiastic, yet fully on board in concept.

The next piece of the puzzle was to get Ann on board. I had sent her a link to the Arte Moris website the night before to prime her mind. When I talked with Ann about the opportunity and to get her input, she was already 10 steps ahead of me in the project planning process, spitting out bullet points of what "Beyond the Borders" and she could do to make the effort a reality. Amazing such automatic synergy on this effort with each person approached. To me, a concrete sign that this is VERY WORTHWHILE effort!

The next day sitting on the front porch of the Arte Moris compound. People where coming and going, puppies barking and playing, in the adjoing room - a cartoon art class is being led by visiting American Cartoonist, Mike Loew, Charline, Iliwatu and I sit huddled around a cheap Nokia Cell phone set to speaker phone talking to Ann at home in San Diego California and talk for almost an hour.

The outcome; true shape and shared vision of the cooperative effort between East Timor's Arte Moris Art School and USA Beyond the Borders Art Fair. On the call the vision gained life and momentum, and specific next steps agreed to, to make this a reality.

The target date to have the Arte Moris Timorese group and exhibition in San Diego USA is the beginning of September 2010

We hung up the call with Ann, the three of us pushed back in our ratty rattan seats, sat silently for a minute and then all just started laughing with excitement of what had been created and given life to in 24 hours from the time that we met and I randamly stumbled upon and wandered the Arte Moris Compound shooting photos. So cooooool.

Pretty cool!

Komodo School Support Program

Below is great information from "Gooch" the Captain of SY Bristolian, about supporting the Komodo Village School.

One only needs to spend about 3 minutes in Komodo to realize how far any help from the outside goes...

KOMODO SCHOOL SUPPORT GROUP

Photo by Timothy Forderer

During “Bristolian’s” recent cruise to the island of Komodo in the Indonesian archipelago, we found a local school that could use some help. The remote location of the islands makes aid difficult and is easily overlooked. However the remoteness adds to the spectacular allure of a pristine cruising ground combined with the fascinating Komodo Dragons makes it a must for a Superyacht destination. This gives the visiting yachts an opportunity to lend a hand to the local school, there are limitless ways on how you can help the kids on Komodo. We have contacted The Rotary Club in Australia who looking to assisting by supplying English books for the school; Captain Timothy Forderer of “Vivid” has just been in Komodo building a fence for the school. You might not be handy with a hammer but you might have the contacts that can make a difference.

WHO IS THE KOMODO SUPPORT GROUP

- A network of people who have a desire to give the kids on Komodo better learning conditions and opportunities for their future.

- Anyone who wishes to join in no matter how large or small.

HOW TO ASSIST

- You can use your own ideas or sphere of influence to make a difference.

- Pass information on captains and crews sailing to Indonesia so they are aware of the “Komodo School Support Group”.

- Captains may wish to involve their Owners, guests and crews in their next cruise to the Komodo’s and deliver the supplies to the school themselves. It would be one of highlights of the cruise.

- Contact Cilian Budarlaigh at Indo Yacht Support, Bali cilian@indoyachtsupport.com for more information.

- Visit Yacht Aid Global’s web site www.yachtaidglobal.org and check if there are other schools in the region you are cruising that might also need a hand.

KEEPING IT SIMPLE

- When provisioning in Bali stock up on school supplies and fun things for the kids and delivered it to Komodo.

Links

- www.gokomodo.org

- www.yachtaidglobal.org

- www.timforderer.com and click on the "goodwill" picture on the left

- http://www.vote7.com/n7w/nature/finalists

“Komodo finalists on the New7Wonders of Nature currently under vote”

Thanks for your time.

Gooch
Captain S/Y Bristolian

Dragon Fence

I have had the great personal pleasure in the past two weeks to be involved with a very worthwhile project at Komodo Island Village

Below is a post by Mark Drewlow, Founder of Yacht Aid Global, describing the project.

www.yachtaidglobal.org You can also find and follow YAG on Face Book

September 16 - Dragon Fence Update
To members of YachtAid Global - a charitable organization

Mark Drewelow 17 September at 11:48


Imagine being a child. You wake up and start your daily routine. Clothes, food, out the door to school. School is fun. You are with friends and you get to learn new things every day.

Classes are in session and you need to use the restroom. You venture outside very very carefully. The buddy system is required, bring a friend in case there is a dragon attack one of you can go for help.



That has all changed. Tim as you know, is the Captain of the sailing yacht VIVID. During a school supply delivery several weeks ago Tim recognized the need for a fence that would alter the daily routine of the school kids. After careful planning and execution, Tim made it happen, he provided funding and man power, C2C and the Drewelow family provided funding too.



Nice to be part of such an interesting project.A simple project, and at the same time has a meaningful positive change in the routine of those kids. Imagine the stress level of a child always having to watch out for those pesty dragons. Now the kids can stay focused on being students, and enjoy their childhood a bit more with their friends.

Best regards to everyone and hoping you all can figure out some creative ways to get out there and YAG. Mark

Doing Good Deeds While Traveling

Guest Post by my friend Nila Tanzil

http:://www.nilatanzil.blogspot.com/

Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Doing Good Deeds While Travelling

In the past two and half months, I've been living in West Flores, Indonesia. If you remember my videos, titled "Flying with Manta Rays (Part I and Part II)", shot in Komodo Island, that's where I've been spending my days now. Not on Komodo Island itself, but in a small town called Labuan Bajo (it has an airport, so no worries, I still could travel around, if I wanted to!) :D

Staying in such a small city, which there's only one main road that goes around the whole city, is a new thing for me. After living in big cities -- Jakarta, Amsterdam and Singapore -- now I'm experiencing a lifestyle of a small town. There's no shopping mall, cinema, theatre, spa, bar, let a lone a night club. Suddenly my lifestyle changes in a blink eye. Usually, in Jakarta or Singapore, I meet up with my friends in a restaurant/cafe/bar that's located in a high rise building and/or spend hours in a shopping mall with full air-conditioned. But this time, I spend hours chilling in a simple local restaurant that ice cream is considered as a luxury thing. A big change, that is.

During my stay here, I've met so many interesting people. Different professions from different countries. From local fishermen, scuba-divers, backpackers, journalists, businessmen, lawyers, bankers to a famous French actor! Spending time with people with different characters is one of the things that entertain me every single day. I've learned a lot from people's experiences and always amused by the way their live their life.

However, there's one person that makes me ponder by what he does. He's a private yacht captain. Tim Forderer is his name. He's been sailing all over the world for more than 10 years, going from one beautiful place to another. Many people envy him, of course. But what makes me envy him the most iswhat he does whenever he visits a place. He's not only enjoying the beauty of the place, but also doing a good deed for the locals. What does he do?

Ok, here's the explanation. One day, he asked me to join him going to a local school in Labuan Bajo. He needed a translator as he was going to give a presentation for the students. I nodded. To cut the story short, he shared his life story in front of around 150 students and managed to make everyone enthusiastic. What's so special about this presentation?

He told the students to Do What You Love. By doing what we love, we would be more likely to succeed and "rich". Not necessarily rich in material, but most importantly rich at heart :). He asked the students to think: "What do you enjoy doing most? What do you love to do in your spare time? What are the things that you're really good at?". The answers might lead us to the ideal profession in the future. Basically he wanted to encourage these high school students to do what they love to do and inspire them to make it comes true.

He said, "When I was a kid, I always loved sailing. My Dad taught me how to sail. When I was 8 years old, I won a competition as the best junior sailor in all over United States". Students got excited. "Also, when I was in college, I worked hard and became a top college sailor". "Whoaaaa...", I heard them mumbling with amusement...

"In my spare time, I always go on the boat and sail. That's all I did when I was young. But.. suddenly.. all my dreams of sailing fell apart". What happened?

"I was 18 years old by then and my girlfriend got pregnant". Sometimes we have to make a decision, in which, is contrary to what we'd love to do. "I had to drop all my dreams of sailing the world, took the first job I could get and be a responsible father for my kid. Years gone by, I ended up working as a sales person in the same company for 13 years!"

"Then my Dad passed away. I loved him dearly". Apparently, the death of his father, made him realized that life is too short to be wasted by doing something that he didn't really enjoy. He realized that he always wanted to sail the world. So, after discussing it with his Mom and family and got support from them, he decided to pursue his sailing career and be a full time sailor! Until now.. he's been sailing to cool places, such as Galapagos, Maldives French Polynesia, etc etc... and he's enjoying every minute of it...

In the past two months, he decided to start giving something for the society. How? By giving presentation on Do What You Love and encourage the youth to reach their dreams, also by visiting schools in remote areas and giving some donations -- books, pens, medicine, etc. I accompanied him going to 2 schools in 2 different villages nearby Labuan Bajo, Flores. And I'm glad I did. I was so overwhelmed to see the facial expressions of the teachers whenreceiving the donations. They didn't expect the visit or the gifts! And the kids? Ohhh.. they're sooooo lovely! They greeted us as if we're big time celebrities! :D

The first school was SDK Roe at Roe Village. When we got there, the teachers were having a meeting with teachers from some other schools. We only talked a bit with the school headmaster, before being invited to have a cup of coffee and taro cake (it's a traditional cake from West Manggarai, Flores) in a cute corner with wooden bench and a stone table under a tree. So cute! What a lovely coffee break! At the far end of the yard, there's a cute pink house, very clean and neat. It's a house of the school headmaster. I wonder whether pink is her favorite color! Once I had a dream to have a pink house, but I dropped it down coz I thought it would be too tacky. Hihihi... but the house in front of me was definitely cute, it looked like a Barbie house with a lot of green plants in the terrace :). She definitely lives in her dream house, I thought. And I wonder whether her husband complaint at the first place, for the idea of living in a pink house! :)

We continued our trip to SDK Pusut at Pusut Village. We parked the car nearby the school. There were some students playing around in the school yard. As soon as we stepped our feet on the big open space school yard, hundreds of kids running toward our direction! Wowwww... "What's going on here?", I thought. Soon after, we were surrounded by hundreds of kids who were starring at us as if we're aliens coming from planet Mars. Some of them starred at us without blinking, some of them smiled, some of them were brave enough to greet us and said, "Hello...". We greeted back, "Hello... apakabar?" (apakabar = how are you). It was such an overwhelming feeling to be surrounded by hundreds of kids. I loved it.

The school was having a meeting with students' parents in a meeting hall. There was an Indonesian Catholic priest, who has been living in Australia for 8 years, sharing his experiences to the locals on his views of living in Australia - the good and sad stories, lessons learned, etc. Everyone, including students on the 6th grade, listened to him carefully. Sometimes they nodded, too. Captain Tim and I joined the session for a while, before taking a walk to the rice field. Surprisingly, when we returned from the rice field, a bunch of teachers had already gathered in a house and they invited us to have lunch together! Wow... so nice of them! They welcomed us and expressed how happy they were to have us there. So sweet, isn't it?

I felt like I was invited to a small feast. A table full of different local dishes looked very tempting to me. They also gave us a glass of local wine. "Drinking local wine in such a hot day? Maybe not", I thought. Apparently, serving local wine to guests is part of their culture. It's a symbol of respect. I tried a sip, but unfortunately didn't like the taste. It tasted a bit sour, pretty strong, with a bit of coconut flavour.

We had a good time chatting with the school headmaster and teachers there. I asked what was needed for the school. Computer and sports uniform for the school's sports team were on the top priority list. When we exchanged numbers, I asked the teachers, "Do you have email address?". They smiled and said, "That's the thing, Mbak Nila (mbak means sister). We have no computer here, let alone having internet access". I felt so stupid after asking that question. Shoot!!! Silly girl.

The visits to these schools made me ponder... We could help others who are in need anytime and anywhere. Even when we're travelling. We could spend a few hours of our trip to visit remote places and plant some good deeds. A small thing for us could mean the world for someone who needs it. Let's make the world a better place to live in...

I was so glad to witness that good people still exist. Thanks for sharing your wonderful experience with me, Captain Tim. And thank you for your efforts in making this world a better place for us to live in... :)