When an earthquake ravaged Haiti about a month ago, the relief effort was nothing short of astounding. Several companies within the marine industry kicked in to lend a hand.
Global Satellite USA (http://www.globalsatellite.us) a south Florida-based satellite communications provider, was ready when the emergency phone call arrived. Martin Fierstone, CEO and founder of the company was able to deliver, test and activate emergency satellite phones within two hours for Trilogy International, the cellular provider for Haiti, who were deploying personnel by private jet from Fort Lauderdale.
"With destroyed communications making it impossible to tell the extent of destruction from the 7.0-magnitude tremor, satellite communication is critical to support the emergency and aid efforts," Firestone said. "We will continue to be on stand-by day or night as and when the requests come in."
The United States and other nations began organizing aid efforts, alerting search teams and gathering supplies that will be badly needed in Haiti, the Western Hemisphere's poorest country. The international Red Cross and other aid groups announced plans for major relief operations.
The Coast Guard Foundation sent more than 200 care packages for Coast Guard men and women who are on the ground in Haiti and aren't attached to cutters. The Coast Guard is helping with relief efforts and relying on MREs for nutrition, so the care packages will have snacks and other things.
The Coast Guard Foundation's website provides a bunch of news related to the different ways the USCG is involved in Haitian relief efforts: http://coastguardfoundation.org/articles/40/1/United-States-Coast-Guard-in-Haiti/Page1.html.
In addition to the care packages, the Coast Guard Foundation is also accepting donations to its Disaster Relief Fund to benefit the Coast Guard personnel and their families who are stationed in Haiti.
Pelican Products (www.pelican.com) also stepped up to the plate and donated head lamps and flashlights for relief efforts. Valued at more than $100,000, the in-kind donation will help aid and assist rescuers, volunteers and emergency response teams. Many emergency triage shelters were without lighting, so headlamps helped doctors treat patients in completely dark locations.
The Marine Industries of South Florida (www.miasf.org) worked with its members to gather up funds and products to help the Haitian relief effort.
If you know of other companies working to help Haiti clean up and rebuild after this devastating earthquake, let us know.
