FTV January 24

I am very happy to let you know that the transfer of supplies to the Haitian people happened successfully today. The barge arrived slightly before 0900 this morning and after safely securing the barge alongside our ship the transfer of supplies began. We packed the supplies until there was just enough room on the barge to fit everything we had brought for them.

Accompanying the barge were two cadets from MMA, 1/C Affanato and 2/C Doherty, who are currently living on and providing relief efforts to the island. They informed me that the equipment transferred today has been needed for the past five years to complete some ongoing projects to improve the living conditions of the Haitian people. For example, the supplies included well digging equipment. By providing wells to families many of the young girls in the household will be able to attend school rather than spending their days lugging water to their homes. Now with the donated well equipment water will be more accessible to the residents.
Overall the operation was very successful, the Haitian people were grateful for the supplies they received and the MMA community could not be happier to have helped.
Now we are headed south for our first port stop, Curacao.

Geography Friday

Curacao Geology and Geography

Curacao is the largest of the five islands of the Netherlands Antilles and lies in the Caribbean Sea just 60 km off the Venezuelan coast outside the hurricane belt. The island thrives on international business with services ranging from oil refinery and export to international financial services. Willemstad, the capital of Curacao, is also the seat of Government.

The hilly western countryside is dominated by Christoffelberg ('Mt. Christoffel'). At 375 meters (1230 feet), it is the island's tallest peak. The eastern part of the island is flatter and lower, broken by flat-topped Tafelberg ('Table Mountain') at Santa Barbara. On the west side are three sharp hills known as Drie Gebroeders ('Three Brothers'), the remains of an ancient coral reef formed at least three million years ago.

The waters around the island also vary. The north coast is pounded by high waves which roll in from the rough open seas, crashing into the cliffs. The sheltered southern seaboard is calm coastline dotted with sandy shores and brilliant turquoise lagoons.  The coast is broken here and there by several large bays and smaller inlets formed by glaciers during the last Ice Age. Curacao does not have a single freshwater lake or river.

Here are some activities that will help prepare for our visit to Curacao.
•    Use Curacao as the island for this Caribbean Culture Day classroom activity.
•    Choose Curacao as the island you will research to prepare Caribbean Island Research Guide.
•    Here is a computer Curacao Scavenger Hunt.
•    Watch this video about Curacao Dolphins to complete the study guide.