Help build a boat for tsunami-hit fishermen

By Humphrey Carter EIGHT months on and Majorca is still raising funds and providing still vital aid for the regions of South East Asia hit by last Boxing Day's tsunami. The latest aid initiative has been set up by local Welsh resident John Rule in association with a leading Thai engineering company Star Marine in Bangkok. Sceptical about whether all the money donated is getting through to the tsunami victims and well aware of the fact that there are tsunami-stricken areas still waiting for the money and aid to filter through, he has joined forces with Star Marine to build new vessels for Thai fishermen who lost everything in the tsunami disaster. Rule said that when he heard that Star Marine was raising funds from local businessmen to build replacement fishing vessels for the fishermen he decided to launch a Majorcan fund-raising drive. “I am now working on raising enough money so Majorca can sponsor the construction of its first Thai fishing boat. This way we can present a local fisherman with a much needed vessel as opposed to merely donating money and hoping that it will eventually reach them,” he said. “This way we will know that every euro raised will go directly to the victims,” he said. The traditionally designed boats cost US$6'000 to build and the 10-metre longtail boats are also fitted with re-conditoned 1.500 cc engines. Tsunami-Boats de John Rule - Banca March, c/Palma-Andratx 43, 07181, Portals Nous. Acc no: (IBAN ES47) 0061 0178 5100 4255 0213. The first John Rule boat built will be called Mallorca.