NEWS AND NOTES
Blue Water Sailing
MARCH 1, 2010
"Rag of the Air" SSB Net Loses its Chief
Jim Bandy has just announced that he is "giving up" The Rag of the Air SSB Net. The "Rag" is the best SSB net for Fiji is on 8173 KHz at 7am local (1900z) was run by Bandy for the past 10 years.
Jim & Kyoko Bandy aboard ALSO II, arrived in the Lau Island Group of Fiji in December of 2001 and began one of the toughest ongoing humanitarian projects in these parts.
Photo:Jim Bandy with visiting Fijian Dignitary. Courtesy of J. Bandy.
In May of 2002, the village granted the Bandys' the island Qaraicikobia (a small island just off shore from the main island and village) for their home, and accepted them as part of the village. They renamed the island - ALSO Island.
Jim then began seeking investors to start up a boat building company that is still on Vanua Levu. He has succeeded against all odds; dealing with major political unrest, cultural mores consisting of little or no work ethic and setbacks around every corner.
"At this time, two hours a day is just more than I have to give at this point," Jim told the CC in an email.
"Meanwhile back the boat yard we are working on the catamaran every day. There is more work than I thought but it is coming along. We have been lucky with the cyclones this year. We have not had one. We are nearing the end of the season and the only thing I have seen on the weather is some activity in the convergence zone North of us."
