From delivering supplies to areas devastated by hurricanes to supplying fresh water canisters to islands struggling in the aftermath of typhoons, M/Y Dorothea III has done their fair share of giving back. Their latest humanitarian effort is a little different as it combines two of their passions: fishing and helping the communities they visit.
Their campaign, The Marlin Mission, aims to raise money through donations and pledges per marlin that the crew catch and release. One week after the campaign’s launch on July 4, they have already raised $9,000 of their $15,000 goal.
“When we first started talking about the idea, we all agreed it had to be unique and executed differently than past fundraising efforts. It’s amazing what strategic thought, planning, and teamwork can create,” says Capt. John Crupi. “We’ve all put in the effort with The Marlin Mission because everyone in the program cares about helping people where we’re going.”
During their nine-month voyage around the Atlantic Ocean, the Dorothea III/Post One program will visit world-class destinations for targeting Atlantic Blue Marlin. Both boats have traveled to locations all over the world for marlin, considered to be the ultimate catch.
“Marlin fishing requires choreographed teamwork between captain, mate, and angler to battle and release fish of one-thousand-plus pounds,” says Stewardess Marie Evers. “Fishing, especially for marlin, is in our blood, and we’re lucky enough to say that we get to spend most of our days out there doing it.”
The initial goal of the mission was to bring school supplies to rural schools and communities in the Atlantic islands of Cape Verde and in Brazil. However, due to their success thus far, there have been discussions of bigger ideas, such as building a school or bringing in a watermaker. The end contribution will be tailored to the location, and Yacht Aid Global will play a role in determining what’s needed and where the crew should focus their efforts.
“It’s a great feeling to know that we can help make a difference in the places we visit,” says Mate Jenifer Rosser. “It’s important that visiting yachts have a positive influence on the locals, even if in a small way.”
Until January 15, Dorothea III/Post One will be fishing in Bermuda, the Azores, Portugal, Madeira, the Canary Islands, Cape Verde, and Brazil. To help them in their efforts, visit their website at dorothea3.com, or check out their Facebook page for updates at facebook.com/themarlinmission.
UPDATE: 8/21/18
Just over a month since their campaign launched, the crew of Dorothea III/Post One have raised over $12,000 for Cape Verde and Brazil, according to an email update on August 14. While fishing in the Azores, they hooked a 600lb blue marlin.
UPDATE: 10/18/18
Dorothea III and Post One traveled about 2,200 nautical miles during September and October from the Azores to Southern Portugal to the Canary Islands.They have been fishing along the way and have caught three blue marlin toward the mission. Dorothea III and Post One departed for Cape Verde on October 16 and will head onto Brazil late November.
They have raised $13,000 and received a matching donation, which brings their total to $26,000, according to an email update on October 11. Half of that amount will be spent in Cape Verde, and they’ve already began purchasing school supplies and other basic necessities for the children. Crew have also been in touch with the local agent and are looking into the possibility of purchasing school uniforms and eye glasses/exams for children.
UPDATE: 11/19/18
On November 6, the Dorothea III crew finished delivering supplies in Cape Verde to three primary schools and one orphanage/youth community center. In total, about 1,100 kids will be affected by their efforts. They delivered laptop computers and video projectors to each school, which came highly requested because they broaden and expand the teaching methods beyond a chalkboard, Stewardess Marie Evers says.
Twenty-six kids received eye exams and are being fitted for glasses because most cannot afford them, and they delivered rice, beans, and milk to one school for lunches. The supplies delivered included pens, paper, crayons, scissors, shoes, clothes, and toothbrushes.
“We were busy but it felt pretty incredible, and we look forward to executing something similar in Brazil,” Evers says.