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| JANUARY 2ND UPDATE
From Siberut, Scuzz traveled up the straight between the Tanah Bala and Tanah Masa islands in the Telo chain. There are many communities built here to help with the logging and as it is such protected waters, their places are built right on the water’s edge. If the tsunami had a strong impact in this area, it maybeen compressed by the small shallow straight and could have damaged this region. His reports to Christina are that all west villages on Telo are fine. There are a few more north facing and low lying villages that Scuzz wants to visit also.
Basically what Scuzz is doing is getting to the islands on our mid-sized boat charter boat, The Asia, and then slowing down and jumping off into the smaller speedboat to get to the villages. From there, he’s checking for injured people or damaged property. He has an extensive range of medicine, tarps, water, containers, noodles, rice, mats, rope, shovels, etc. ready to go if need be. So far in the more western and southern regions, fortunately, he’s seen little real damage. He then hops back in the speedboat back to ASIA and moves on. His biggest fear is running the engine. He says no problems as of yet, but power traveling like that for so far and so long can make the engines run hot.
The biggest area of concern is the northern tip of Simeulue Island. We are getting mixed reports so far. This is the island chain closest to the epicenter. As long as the lower islands are okay, the boats out now will head there. The boats going out tomorrow will head straight there. Now that we know the Mentawais, Nias, Hinakos, and Telos pretty much okay, efforts can be made to send boats north from Sibolga. These boats can check the northern Sumatran coastline more easily from this area.
The Hotel Batang Arau continues to serve as are base camp for Padang -- Aus Aid, IDEP, Aussie Embassy are all here. We are working with local doctors, volunteers, the mayor, all charter boat operators and local boat operators. It's amazing how everyone is pulling together, and the list of characters has continued to grow. We are now about 10 organization workers, 6 charter operators, 6 captains (more coming in tomorrow), 8 hotel staff, 12 Indonesian volunteers, many delivery men, local doctors, local boat owners... all operating on phones, fax, and computer. There are 3 phone chargers being used at all times, with a line of phones waiting. Dr. Dave Jenkins of SurfAid International is meant to arrive tomorrow to head out on a boat as well. More medicine arrived today from IDEP Foundation in Bali, brought by Oded, a French volunteer living in Bali. Last night, after Scuzz left, the hotel was empty of supplies. Tonight, it's full again. Volunteers spent the day filling individual buckets with rope, tarps, pots, pans, utensils, sandals, matches, etc., and all the while more people arrived to help. It's all very inspiring. Tomorrow the banks open and hopefully we can get more money generated into this effort. It has been excellent response, but a holiday weekend... yikes!!
Christina wanted be to pass along special praise to a couple individuals. A big thanks goes out to Mick Bakos, an Aussie surfer guest and friend of ours. He lives and works in Singapore --- when IDEP asked if anyone could help get medications brought from Singapore, Chris called Mick, and Mick was on a plane the next day, Jan 1. He was bit hung over, but absolutely jumped at the chance to help. ;) He is back in Singapore now - Jan 2. Good on ya Mick.
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2002 sumatransurfariis.com. All rights reserved. |
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Scuzz, his sister Alyssa (who has about 6 years medical training) and
a group of local Indos headed out last night to the north of Siberut,
Muara Sigep. Scuzz reported back to Christina at the hotel in Padang
that thankfully there was no significant damage in this area; no trees
down, no major water damage, no deaths. He is also continuing to investigate
if any north facing areas south of this are open to need, such as Dua
Mata, Sipora, Pagai etc. But so far, signs are very positive.
Rick
Cameron's boat the Electric Lamb went up the west side (ocean side)
to Nias with a crew as well, and surprisingly everything appears to
be generally ok. Scuzz also headed to a bay in the northern area of
Nias where a logging company is located. They reported water surging
and flooding on 12/26/04, but nothing since. Again, this is very surprising
and positive news. Scuzz and the gang received a refuel in Teluk Dalam,
and will continue to head further north in Nias to the areas we have
heard were significantly affected by the quake. They’ll be moving
up as fast as they can, but will also be stopping to give supplies to
the villages that need it.
As
of last report, Scuzz was hoping to get Lahewa on the northwest tip
of Nias before making another call, as word is the Electric Lamb is
planning to go to the Banyaks. He has given him the number of the wartel
there, plus his charts of the area, and has also organized Bidin to
be on standby in Sibolga (a coastal town in northern Sumatra) with a
boat and fuel. He is meeting Sam of IDEP in Sibolga to take them around
that area and survey it. He also reports that Singkil is in need. There
are many people moving south from the affected areas of mainland Aceh
and they are running out of supplies and medical help in Singkil.
That’s
about it from the field, but Christina has tons of news to report from
the hotel, Padang, and mainland Indonesia. First, there have been some
60 earthquakes in the area since the tsunami. Yesterday at 1:35pm the
US embassy called and asked Christina if she felt the 6.6 Richter Scale
earthquake that just happened. They are checking with her all the time
to see what’s going on. However, the news reporters don’t
always get it right. For a chuckle, 
A
bit of great news: Sam Green (the fella in this photo) is an Aussie
surfer that had not been heard from since the quake hit. His brother
Ben and best friend Matt came all the way over from Oz to see if the
could locate him. We aren't sure if there are any concerned folks at
home reading this, but we are happy to report that he has been located
today and is fine. Those happy stories keep us going. (editors
note: since first reporting this story, we have found that our intial
sources gave us false findings, and as of 1/6/05, Sam is still missing.
However, we'd like to leave the paragraph alone as it accurately reflects
our feelings at the time, and shows the ups and downs we go through
daily. For the update on Sam, please see our 
Christina
also wanted to send out special thanks to Eddie Om, our co-founder.
She reporst that he has been a true champion. This is nothing new, however,
as Om has just been a LEGEND for this company every since he helped
found it over 8 years ago. He has done everything that has been asked
with the typical Om smile and laugh. He is truly one of our heroes.
