FAQ
- How does MARI decide what boats to purchase or recommend?
- How many boats does MARI own and operate?
- What are the water safety kits provided by MARI?
- Who can request the water safety kits provided by MARI?
- Where does MARI provide support services?
- How do MARI workers train local people in safe water travel?
- How does MARI decide what boats to purchase or recommend?
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
- How many boats does MARI own and operate?
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.
- What are the water safety kits provided by MARI?
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.
- Who can request the water safety kits provided by MARI?
Anyone working with the Wycliffe Bible Translators family of organizations, or any of its partner organizations, can request our water safety kits.
- Where does MARI provide support services?
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
- How do MARI workers train local people in safe water travel?
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.