After a week of delays, a Maine ship bound for Haiti with a load of donated items set to leave Miami later today

Monday, February 22

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree says that the Maine based vessel Sea Hunter, loaded with relief supplies bound for Haiti, has been given Coast Guard approval to depart Miami.  Pingree’s office was notified by Coast Guard command just after noon that they have released the vessel from an order that has been keeping them in Miami for over a week.
 
“Cutting through all the red tape took quite an effort,” Pingree said.  “But nobody was willing to give up on the crew of the Sea Hunter or their mission.”
 
 Pingree says that crew of the Sea Hunter will wait for sea conditions outside of Miami to settle down, which is expected to happen later today, before raising their anchor and getting under way for Haiti.  The trip is expected to take just over 48 hours.
 
The Sea Hunter will first stop in the port of Miragoane, near Port au Prince, where the crew intends to unload the containers on deck, a mobile medical unit and a solar powered watermaker.  From Miragoane, they will travel to Lescayes to unload the remainder of the supplies donated by Maine people destined for an orphanage on Haiti’s south coast. 
 
After arriving in Miami, the Sea Hunter was told by Coast Guard officials that they would need six additional licensed crew to proceed to Haiti.  Congresswoman Pingree contacted Coast Guard commanders and eventually the Coast Guard agreed to let the Sea Hunter go with just one additional crew, a licensed ship master from Wells who has volunteered for the trip.
 

Monday, February 16: Update on “Sea Hunter,” Maine-based ship bound for Haiti with relief supplies. U.S. Customs issues resolved, licensed captain to join vessel today
 
The Sea Hunter, a Maine-based ship loaded with relief supplies for Haiti, has been given clearance by U.S. Customs to depart Miami for Haiti after payment of a $39 fee.  Previously, the owner of Sea Hunter had been told he would have to pay thousands of dollars in duties before departing.
 
Last week, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree contacted Customs and Border Protection to express her concern about reports that Sea Hunter would face substantial duty fees.  Pingree called the demand for substantial payment “outrageous” and welcomed the news that Sea Hunter would be allowed to depart.
 
“I’m delighted that Customs officials have taken a reasonable approach,” Pingree said.  “The Sea Hunter is loaded with relief supplies that the people of Maine have donated to the people of Haiti—it just doesn’t make sense that someone should have to pay duty on that.”
 
Rich Devins, the licensed captain who has offered to join the Sea Hunter, is expected in Miami early this afternoon.  Coast Guard officials tell Pingree’s office that they will meet with Devins as soon as he arrives.  Devins will examine the vessel and talk to the crew. If all goes well, the Sea Hunter could depart as early as tomorrow. 

Friday, February 12: Update on situation in Miami involving Sea Hunter

The Maine-based Sea Hunter left Maine several weeks ago bound for Haiti, loaded with relief supplies donated by local residents and businesses.  In Miami, additional humanitarian supplies were received from Cross International, a charity based in Florida.  The ship is headed for an orphanage on the south coast of Haiti.
 
The Sea Hunter spent today loading and stowing cargo dockside in Miami.  The vessel is expected to move to the Miami Anchorage tonight. 
 
Numerous news stories yesterday and today have described problems Sea Hunter has faced with Coast Guard regulation relating to crew requirements.  The Sea Hunter was served with a “hold order” requiring it to stay in port until the problems were resolved.
 
Coast Guard officials in Miami have indicated to Congresswoman Pingree a willingness to be flexible in requirements for licensed crew.  Originally, Coast Guard officials had suggested that six additional licensed crew be added. Pingree requested that one well-qualified captain be considered sufficient.  A final decision from the Coast Guard is expected on Saturday.
 
Captain Rich Devin of Orlando, FL, was contacted by Pingree’s office and asked to accompany the Sea Hunter to Haiti.  Captain Devin is a retired tanker captain who has sailed with Maine Maritime Academy’s training ship “State of Maine.”
 
Captain Devin, who holds an Unlimited Masters License, agreed to help with the trip and is expected to join the Sea Hunter Monday night in Miami.