YachtAid Global superyacht helps those affected by Odile Hurricane

On the 14^th September, Hurricane Odile struck Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, damaging many buildings, marinas and even yachts, leaving much of the city without any power or water.

Non-profit organisation YachtAid Global is now striving to help repair, replace and support the city after the devastation caused by the hurricane, which was a category three storm, reaching winds of 125mph and dropping six inches of rain. Its strength was unprecedented for modern times in the southern Baja Peninsula region. YachtAid Global also provided a range of supplies to the health department of the government for distribution in hospitals and emergency homes.

Since YachtAid Global arranges humanitarian aid for coastal communities worldwide, its team monitored Hurricane Odile via news reports. On 15^th September, Mark Drewelow, the founder of YachtAid Global, posted the following on the organisation’s Facebook page:

“News from Cabo San Lucas. At 17:30 today Cabo time I spoke with local superyacht agent Victor Barreda that many of you know. Victor weathered Odile at home and he and his wife and kids are OK. Town has no electricity and he says it looks like every building is damaged. If electricity doesn’t come back on then fresh water becomes a major issue quickly. We will post info as it comes into us. We have one 75m superyacht that will be deeply involved in an immediate relief effort focusing on producing 4000 gallons a day of fresh water for locals.”

The same day, Drewelow spoke with the marina manager at Marina Cabo San Lucas, which is popular with superyachts and sport fishermen alike. Building damage in the region is extensive; the airport, for example, is expected to remain closed throughout October. Drewelow stated, “The situation in the Cabo area is getting worse by the hour.”

A marina in the area, Marina Costabaja, is now OK and fully operative thanks to the help of Yacht Aid Global.

While thankfully YachtAid Global has “a lot in the works” for Hurricane Odile relief, Drewelow also said, “Every yacht big or small that intends to head south to Cabo needs to bring aid. Recovery will take months.” YachtAid Global is coordinating some efforts with Marine Group Boat Works, who have a facility in Cabo San Lucas. Marine Group Boat Works’ San Diego yard is collecting items that are of critical immediate need:

• Drinking water
• Basic first-aid items like bandages, antiseptics and ointments, and hand sanitisers
• Food with long shelf life: beans, tuna, canned meat, boxed milk and other beverages
• Shelter: Pop-up tents, rolls of heavy-duty plastic sheeting, canvas tarps, and small-diameter (¼- to ½-inch) ropes to secure the tarps.

Items can be donated to:

Attn: Cabo Relief/Leah Yam
Marine Group Boat Works
997 G Street
Chula Vista, CA 91910-3414

Donations can also be made via YachtAid Global’s donation page.