It has been almost 6 months since we arrived in Singapore. Those 6 months have been filled with travel and urgent action. When we arrived Singapore it was to be a transit point to our next location. The threat of a major global avian influenza pandemic changed all of that almost over night.
When experts predicted the possibility of millions being infected should this lethal strain of avian flu mutate to transmit from human to human we knew that we had to help. As usual, the timing was all wrong and the need urgent, so once again we put aside our own plans and volunteered where we were needed.Our efforts have not been in vain. All around the world national health services are using templates we developed, practicing strategies we were involved in planning, and consulting our methods of producing emergency materials. Heady stuff, but the fear of millions dieing from such a pandemic is a nightmare that cannot, and must not, be ignored.
As to Vega, she has not been ignored. Singapore is a spare parts dream come true. If something exists, and is legal, you will most likely find it in Singapore. Technical skills are highly developed, as is a certain pride in workmanship.
Thanks to the Singapore Armed Forces Yacht Club, during all this madness we were able to have the boat in what must be the most secure location in Singapore.