114 year old sailing vessel Vega

On the 17^th of January Vega sailed from Malaysia heavily loaded with relief supplies for the disaster stricken islands of Northern Sumatra. This made Vega the oldest vessel actively participating in the tsunami disaster relief efforts. Vega is carrying her cargos in support of relief efforts by Global Sikhs and Waves of Mercy.

How Vega came to be carrying cargo for the tsunami relief effort is explained by her captain,” When the tsunami waves struck the crew of VEGA immediately began searching for a way of assisting those in need.

Our plan was simple. Food and medical supplies would be gathered from merchants and private donors while preparations began to support a two person medical team. VEGA would act as a base of operations and carry as much high-density food as possible.

Vega’s on board computers and printers would be used to produce posters and brochures advising the best techniques for survival during the weeks and months ahead. (Since the waves struck we have produced and donated brochures and posters for UNICEF in 3 different languages. The total units professionally printed by offset are now over 1,000,000.)



		On the 17^th of January Vega sailed from Malaysia heavily loaded with relief supplies for the disaster stricken islands of Northern Sumatra. This made Vega the oldest vessel actively participating in the tsunami disaster relief efforts. Vega is carrying her cargos in support of relief efforts by Global Sikhs and Waves of Mercy. How Vega came to be carrying cargo for the tsunami relief effort is explained by her captain,” When the tsunami waves struck the crew of VEGA immediately began searching for a way of assisting those in need. Our plan was simple. Food and medical supplies would be gathered from merchants and private donors while preparations began to support a two person medical team. VEGA would act as a base of operations and carry as much high-density food as possible. Vega’s on board computers and printers would be used to produce posters and brochures advising the best techniques for survival during the weeks and months ahead. (Since the waves struck we have produced and donated brochures and posters for UNICEF in 3 different languages. The total units professionally printed by offset are now over 1,000,000.)


		At that time VEGA also had her problems. Many systems were either outdated or not functioning properly. The most urgent problems were the sanitation system and our faltering 12VDC and 220 AC electrical systems. Both had suffered during Cyclone Garfilo last February. In desperation we turned to several of the most reputable companies in the marine world for assistance. 5 of those companies responded with a generosity that was astounding. Thanks to their help we were able to load and carry many tons of food and medical supplies to the Island of Pulau Weh then along the dangerous West coast to isolated villages where the big aid agencies hadn't reached. It was hard and often dangerous sailing, but we did it. Vega still isn't completely free of her problems. We still need a functioning radar and our electronics are a mess after the standing waves off of Northern Sumatra, but with luck and the help of our friends we will soon be loading for another trip. Vega carries on those trips more than her tons of supplies. She also carries a message of hope and the knowledge that they are not forgotten to those who have lost everything.