Please reach out to our members and friends in the area... and please post any updates that you may have.
FROM SIREN aka World Wide Dive & Sail:
Crew and Yachts Safe!
As Super Typhoon Haiyan made her way to the Philippines our crew and local operations team made preparations to secure the Philippine Siren and P. Siren, taking the yachts to safe anchorage spots in Negros and Bohol.
The typhoon made landfall on Friday 8th November and we are pleased to report that all crew, their families and both yachts are safe and well. Whilst several areas have been severely affected by the typhoon the Philippine Siren has now made her way to Batangas and her first trip of the season is underway.
Meanwhile the P. Siren and her crew are in Cebu making ready to assist with relief efforts for the islands of Malapascua and Leyte until the first trip in the Southern Visayas begins in late December.
Relief Efforts
Since Haiyan hit, the death toll has continued to rise and many people have been left without shelter, food or water. There are a number of organisations arranging relief to the affected areas including Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), and the Philippine Red Cross. Many of our guests have asked what they might do to help those in need – so please make what donations you are able to one of these organisations. There are also several local groups requesting donations of food and clothing- the most prevalent is "Help Malapascua" - all monetary donations are recorded and information sent to donors.
Much of the relief efforts are being hampered by road blockages which make getting supplies to the affected areas slow. Therefore our local team is making arrangements for the P. Siren to transport much needed supplies - 7 tons of food and water- to Malapascua by sea. The yacht and crew leave tonight or early tomorrow morning with all fuel and staff costs being met by Worldwide Dive and Sail.
We continue to work with MSF team and hope to be able to bring their doctors and medical supplies to Leyte early next week.
Is Diving Affected?
We count ourselves very lucky that our crew and yachts have survived unscathed by the typhoon’s path, the devastation of which has been most felt in northern Leyte, Malapascua, Panay and Busuanga islands.
For the Siren Fleet the majority of our trips remain unaffected. Reports of good weather and diving conditions have been coming in from Cebu, Bohol and Negros (Dauin) as well as the all clear given for diving in Anilao and Puerto Galera. However Busuanga airport is currently closed and the next few trips of the Philippine Siren will not be able to visit Coron. Our reservations team are contacting all guests to make alternative arrangements and for the time being trips will start and end in Batangas.
Whilst Leyte Island has been the most affected by the typhoon, the area of Sogod Bay is far south of the main path and all trips planned from February 2014 will be going ahead as scheduled.
The Tubbataha reefs were not in the path of the typhoon so we can still expect great diving there when the park opens in February.
The region around Donsol and Ticao was thought to be in the direct path of Haiyan but the typhoon moved south leaving dive centres and resorts with very minor damage.
You Can Help
Having been through the devastation of the 2004 Tsunami that affected many countries in Asia, everyone here at Siren Fleet knows that what the Philippines needs right now is your continuing tourism!
Tourist dollars are relied upon to maintain the country’s infrastructure, so if you were planning to visit the Philippines, whether for diving, adventure activities or a beach holiday – please remember that there are many places that are still operating “business as usual”. Encourage your friends to visit also and show a united support for the Filipinos.
To show our commitment to continued tourism in the Philippines, Siren Fleet will donate 50% of the trip price to the above mentioned organisations, for all remaining berths booked on the Philippine Siren and P. Siren for sailings between now and 31st January 2014. But whether you choose a Siren Fleet trip or not – get yourself to the Philippines!
