Volunteer opportunity for Rib pilots in Africa

[Manos]

I have done quite a bit of research on Gabon.

It seems that is quite a peacefull and reach (4th largest oil producer in Africa I think) country in fact.

Lots of fishing, have mountain gorilas, crocs, parotts, rinos, lepards, chitas etc and a president called Mr Bongo. This is according to CIA FACT FILES .

And although I agree with MeMe and Phil, the question still remains what are the security gurantees in case someone wanted to go? Any insurance, what happens if you get injured, get ill, get shot etc

No answer still

[Phil Davies]

And from the CIA files:

Gabon Population:
1,321,560
note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates than would otherwise be expected (July 2003 est.)


Chelmsford it is then

[DGR]

But surely you will be driving a RIB?

The high incidence of AID/HIV in the local populace shouldn't really affect that - unless you drive your boat in a somewhat different manner to most of us . !!

Dylan...

P.S. According to the CIA, South Africa has an AIDS incidence twice that of Gabon......... You'd probably not think twice about going there......

[Phil Davies]

You're right Dylan - I'm sure the rubber sponsons would offer more than adequate protection

[DGR]

Now there's a thought. What diameter are the sponsons on Parks' RIB?!?



D...

[Phil Davies]

It's the thickness of the rubber you want to be worrying about, not the diameter

[DGR]

I've seen a thread recently about tube material...PVC, Hypalon, etc, and their individual merits...but I'm fairly sure that those particular material properties/qualities weren't discussed......

And I'm led to believe that diameter IS almost as important as length.........

D...

[Parks]

With regard to safety in Gabon, I can offer travel and health insurance, which basically means if you get your stuff ripped off or we need to fly you out of the country (in a Hypalon body bag or not) you'll be covered, and your dependents not bankrupted. If you get shot, then, well, I guess when your number is up, your number is up. It's hard to be more reassuring than that where bullets are concerned. However, you're probably as likely to catch a bullet after closing time in the high street as you are in Gabon. We all get malaria once in a while. If you take the pills faithfully, you probably won't. When you live here for years, the pills end up being worse for you than the malaria. If you catch it early, its way easier to treat than the common cold. There is an airport at Mayumba (served 3 times a week) but that will accept emergency flights any time during the day - so we can get folk out fast if necessary. I've spent many years in the rainforest, very far from any assistance, and certainly vulnerable. From time to time shit happens. However, I reckong this job is relatively low risk by comparison. I'm not a cowboy, and we will not be deliberately heading into situations that have an unacceptible risk level. Most of it will be very pleasant boating and a generally chilled lifestyle. Don't think I can say much more. Thanks for your time. Contact me directly (r.j.parnell@stir.ac.uk) if you want to learn more.