Putting Family First

The Covid-19 global pandemic is affecting life in ways we could not have imagined only a few months ago.  Here at GEaR, we've put a lot of thought into adapting our mission to the sweeping changes that are transforming our world.  We've decided to postpone our expedition to Greenland this year.  You may think that camping on a glacier hundreds of miles from civilization might be a great way to achieve social distancing and, in a way, you'd be right.  But in order to get to our research site near Koge Bay, we have to pass through Kulusuk:  a coastal village with a population of 250 people and 700 sled dogs.

Kulusuk is literally a second home to us.  We have family, friends, and logistical partners there.  GEaR is part of the fabric of this community and we are grateful for the warmth the village extends to us, no matter how cold it is outside.  As much as we'd love to go back and see those people we care about, it is precisely because we care about them that we're staying put.  Kulusuk is a vulnerable community.  There is no hospital and the nearest clinic can only be reached by boat, helicopter, or dog sled, depending on the season.  People around the world are staying at home and not visiting their relatives because they understand the magnitude of the threat that this pandemic poses.  We support those decisions.  We're putting family first and steering clear of Kulusuk for the same reasons.  It's the right thing to do.

That doesn't mean we're sitting still.  We're continuing to work with our generous sponsors who believe in our mission, our logistical partners whose collaboration is essential to our success, and our funders who understand the significance of our 2018 research findings.  Having a little more time strengthens our team and our preparations for when we can return safely to Greenland.  Thank you for your support and watch this space for more posts about our progress.  Just because we're isolated doesn't mean we're idle.

Photo Credit: Jokum Mikaelsen of Kulusuk, Greenland and His Airport Crew

Hope and Solidarity

Global Exploration and Recovery has been tracking the story of two missing teenagers in Florida, Austin Stephanos and Perry Cohen, who disappeared on July 24 during a fishing trip.  We wish for their safe return and our thoughts are with their families.  As the search has expanded during the past week we have been amazed by the outpouring of support, resources, and energy that professionals and volunteers alike have committed to the effort.  GEaR wants to recognize some notable contributions:

• United States Coast Guard.  We work closely with our partners in the Coast Guard and have the deepest respect for the risks they take and the professionalism with which they conduct tireless searches in situations like this.  As a nation we are lucky to have such dedicated men and women patrolling our shores, ready to act on short notice.  We thank them for their leadership and experience in helping to find these missing boys.
• Volunteers.  Searching a large area of the Atlantic Ocean is a complex undertaking.  Finding Austin and Perry will take a major, coordinated effort.  In this moment of need generous individuals and groups have stepped forward, often at their own expense, to offer diverse skills and resources in support of the search.  People from far and near have donated time, money, planes, boats, cars, homes, celebrity status, and fuel among other things to keep an intense search going.

There are more people to thank in this search than we can name, but we want to highlight the community of kindness that has drawn together from around the country to support the effort.  Even though GEaR is spread around the world we have contributed to the search and encourage others to do so, as well.  

http://www.gofundme.com/PerryAndAustin