FAQ

The MARI department was created in 1999, though it did not begin providing services until 2000.

Currently, more than 20 volunteers and career missionaries with Wycliffe Bible Translators work with our department.

We provide support services to translation teams throughout the world. To date, we have served in:

• Asia
• Brazil
• Central African Republic
• Chad
• Colombia
• Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Ghana
• Guinea-Bissau
• Kenya
• Madagascar
• Papua New Guinea
• Philippines
• Solomon Islands
• Vanuatu

Yes. We often partner with other members of the worldwide Wycliffe Bible Translators family of organizations. Our personnel also partner with other like-minded organizations, such as the Christian Boaters Association, to share technology, ideas and ways to collaborate.

We offer training to all language workers who will be traveling by water, and many of our trainees are local people. We often provide training in:

• Proper swimming techniques.
• The use of safety equipment.
• Evaluating the safety of available transportation.
• Maintenance of boats and motors.

In addition, a crew of local people operates the Kwadima II, our boat in Papua New Guinea. This team receives ongoing training and supervision from our maritime personnel.

We currently own and operate three boats, which are housed at the JAARS Center in Waxhaw, N.C. However, we have also provided 13 boats for translation programs throughout the world.

With each boat, we have trained a crew to properly navigate, manage and maintain the vessel. We have also provided safety equipment training and swimming lessons to crews and passengers.

To watch a video about one of our newer vessels, the Kwadima II, please click here.

We purchase and recommend boats based on many factors:

• The needs of specific translation teams
• Local government regulations
• Recommendations from consultants
• Safety
• Economy
• Speed
• Size
• Load configuration

As part of our effort to protect translators and support personnel who rely on water transportation, we provide customizable water safety kits. These kits may include a variety of items:

• Life jackets
• Emergency radio beacons
• Nylon floating rope
• Signal devices, such as streamers and mirrors
• Strobe lights
• Shark bags
• Whistles
• Air horns
• Mini tool kits
• Communication radios

To learn more about these kits, read “Search and Rescue” in the Fall 2008 issue of Rev. 7.

Anyone working with the Wycliffe Bible Translators family of organizations, or any of its partner organizations, can request our water safety kits.

Our greatest current need is for experienced maritime personnel who could serve for two or more years overseas. We are looking for personnel with:

• Coxswains license (minimum).
• General mechanical and electrical skills, including radio.
• Strong interpersonal skills.

To request more information about this service opportunity, please submit our online contact form.

Yes. However, most short-term projects with MARI are research-based and require some level of maritime knowledge or experience. We occasionally have short-term projects, such as cleaning or painting boats, that are suitable for all volunteers.

If you are interested in volunteering for short-term projects with MARI, please submit our online contact form.

Yes. However, most part-time volunteer positions with MARI are research-based and require some level of maritime knowledge or expertise.

If you are interested in volunteering part-time with MARI, please submit our online contact form.