By Joyce Landry
Hurricane Disaster Relief Ships Provide Safe, Secure Housing
The official hurricane season for the Atlantic Basin (the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, and the Gulf of Mexico) is from June 1st to November 30th, peaking from late August through September. However, deadly hurricanes can occur anytime during hurricane season. Post-hurricane, cruise ships and other marine support vessels can play a key role in relief efforts.
After the storm when floodwaters have subsided, the hard work begins.
Federal, state and local government officials will deploy personnel along coastal communities to evaluate the damages after a storm. But most often, there is not enough housing due to damaged infrastructure.
Ship charters are used to house relief workers and first responders after a hurricane.
Cruise ships and other types of disaster relief vessels can be used to provide temporary dockside housing. This is a welcome solution for cities, counties, organizations, or companies looking for hard-to-find hotel accommodations after a hurricane. The ship’s sleeping rooms and other venues are available for insurance adjusters, clean-up crews, construction teams, medical professionals and others.
These types of ship charters are a way to facilitate emergency relief services along the U.S. coastlines, Caribbean or other coastal areas around the world devastated by natural disasters.
Ship charters can provide healthy meals and recreation facilities under the same roof at an affordable price. With these vessels serving as temporary housing, ship charters provide a comfortable, safe space for displaced families and first responders following a devastating natural disaster.
Previously, many cruise lines have responded to the need for housing relief. For example, in 2017, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) chartered the Carnival Fascination and Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line’s Grand Celebration to provide accommodations to survivors and first responders following several devastating hurricanes that hit the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Every natural disaster is different and calls upon unique relief efforts. Planning and rapid response time are critical when working with federal and local relief agencies.
Should the need for a ship charter arise to provide temporary floating accommodations, we stand ready to assist.
NOTE: During Landry & Kling’s 40 years in business, we have facilitated ship charters for different disaster relief and humanitarian aid situations including evacuation, emergency services, refugee housing, and restoration and rebuilding.
Our most significant FEMA government contracts involved securing a cruise ship charter for a six-month Hurricane Katrina relief mission in the Gulf of Mexico, and Haiti’s devastating 2010 earthquake.
For more information on disaster relief ship charters, please call Landry & Kling at 786-594-0732, or email inquiry@landrykling.com.
