Vital Supports Master Navigators in Yap and Chuuk

The Board of Directors of Vital-FSMPC, in their recently concluded Board Meeting in Guam, approved a request by Director Peter Garamfel of Yap State to support Waa’gey, a Community Based Organization that preserves and promotes native technologies and traditional skills in Micronesia’s most remote outer islands.

Waa’gey is working closely with Master Navigators and traditional canoe voyagers in the outer islands of Yap and Chuuk who are preparing to sail to Guam as part of the FSM delegation to the 2016 Festival of Pacific Arts.

A brief ceremony was held during which Vital CEO Jared Morris joined Vital Chairman of the Board Mr. Faustino Yangmog and Waa’gey Representative Larry Raigetal to hand over a symbolic check in the amount of $16,000 to support the effort.

Raigetal, who is coordinating the FSM seafaring representatives to the Festival in Guam, expressed appreciation to the Corporation, saying that Vital-FSMPC support will assist with much needed supplies and safety equipment. These will include essential medical supplies, communication devices, flash lights, ropes and so on.

Master navigators and their crews will embark from the outer islands of Lamotrek and Pollap toward Guam over the course of several days and both the funds and supplies will be crucial to complete a successful mission at the 2016 Festival of Pacific Arts and return to the islands of Yap and Chuuk, respectively.

Lamotrek and Pollap are remote outer islands situated between Yap Proper and the islands of Chuuk Lagoon. Five canoes will sail from Lamotrek and three canoes will sail from Pollap and converge outside the fringing reef of Guam.

Lamotrek and Pollap – remote outer islands between Yap Proper & Chuuk Lagoon