I have been working with a very dedicated group of people in Plaquemines Parish Louisiana to help with the recovery of commercial fishing vessels that were blown ashore by Hurricane Katrina. Fishing families were hard hit by this disaster, not only to the vessels represent their largest personal asset, losing a family fishing vessel puts them out of business and unable to make a living.
The City of Valdez donated a surplus 60-ton Marine Travelift to Plaquemines Parish for use in Empire, Louisiana. A group was formed in Alaska called Alaska Fishing Industry Relief Mission (AFIRM) who have stepped up to donate (up to $20,000) the required funds to ship the lift from Alaska to Louisiana.
Technician Dennis Sargent of Marine Travelift was on hand in Valdez to supervise the dismantling of the Travelift. The Alaska Fishing Industry Relief Mission (AFIRM) and the City of Valdez thank Marine Travelift Corporation of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, for the donation of this technician's work. Northwest Airlines donated the airfare to fly Sargent to Alaska and to Louisiana for reassembly when it arrives in February. North Star Terminal and Stevedore Company generously provided the crane and heavy equipment for the dismantling. AFIRM will cover any additional travel, lodging, labor and transportation costs to ensure that the City of Valdez will not incur incidental costs as a result of its generous donation.
AFIRM is a 100% volunteer, 501 (c) (3) qualified non profit organization of the Alaska seafood industry. It was organized by Senator Lisa Murkowski and members of the industry to help the Gulf of Mexico fishing industry in the wake last Fall's hurricanes. AFIRM is seeking donations from fishermen, processors, and other fishing industry participants that recognize the importance of a healthy and unified domestic U.S. seafood industry. For more information see the AFIRM website at www.akgulfhelp.org
Signals January 2006 - Association for Communication Excellence [LINK]
Valdez Star Article 8 March 2006 [LINK]
Valdez Star Article 14 February 2006 [LINK]
SITNEWS ~ Stories In The News [HTML]
Photos of Commercial Fishing Vessel Damage in Louisiana [HTML]
Photos of Valdez Travelift Disassembly [HTML]
Louisiana Sea Grant Response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita [PDF]
KTUU Channel 2 News [HTML]
Alaska Public Radio Network (APRN) News Story [MP3]
KUAC Fairbanks Public Radio Story [MP3]
