YachtAid Global Releases 2017 Annual Report

YachtAid Global, the yachting community’s humanitarian team, has released its 2017 Annual Report documenting extensive relief efforts during a challenging year of  natural disasters affecting coastal communities around the world. 

Founded in 2006, YachtAid Global coordinates vital support from superyachts to carry out humanitarian operations and deliver supplies to areas in need.

In 2017 an unprecedented number of hurricanes hit the Caribbean in quick succession, with local residents struggling to recover before the next storm hit. Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria tore through the region causing an estimated $281.14billion of damage.

The superyacht community was quick to respond and YachtAid Global delivered £325,000 of financial aid to the Caribbean, including 83,000 meals, 48,000 hygiene kits, 1,250 water filters, 1850 tarpaulins and over 6,300 tools.

MY Rosinante unloads aid

Over the course of 2017, YachtAid Global worked with 44 superyachts including Dorothea III, Slipstream, Va Bene, Katharine and Suri, amongst many others. Valuable support also came from Sea Shepherd’s MV Sharpie and Resolve Marine’s Lana Rose, with the entire effort involving over 750 crew members. 

Thousands of volunteers contributed to the cause, led by Captain Mark Drewelow, Founder and Executive Director, Captain Tim Forderer, Director Operations and Strategy, Captain Zoran Selakovic and ambassadors Norma Trease, Michael Rettig and Bob Saxon.

Tyler Norris of SoulR installed solar panels in Dominica with YachtAid Global's help

During its 12 years of operation, YachtAid Global has become a vital interface between the yachting industry, governments and other NGOs, to strengthen logistical capabilities and ensure the right aid is delivered to the right people, at the right time.

This year YachtAid Global continues to work closely with the yachting community to deliver humanitarian aid in line with cruising grounds and capabilities, and to encourage more owners to champion the health of the world's oceans. 

View YachtAid Global 2017 Annual Report.

*Top image: MY Dorothea III unloads aid after the Caribbean hurricane season