HAITI EARTHQUAKE DISASTER AND SOMETHING ABOUT SHIPS

Dear (s)

On 12th Jan 2010, the country of Haiti was struck by a catastrophic earthquake measuring 7.0 with epicentre near Loegane approx 25 km off Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti.

The earthquake which struck at 16:53:10 local time (21:53:10 UTC) and series of aftershocks (33 in no) have caused large scale destruction. IRC estimates that about 3 million people have been affected ; Haitian Ministry believes that upto 200000 would have died.

Damages at port

People preferring boats fearing aftermaths

The earthquake has caused major damage to the capital city and many landmarks were significantly damaged including the Presidential Palace.  Many countries have responded with massive aids which includes US. The 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit began on loading approx 1700 personnel and their equipment aboard the ships of the Bataan Amphibious Relief mission to aid the people of Haiti. The MEU along with contingent of ships includes USS Bataan (LHD 5) which is a wasp class amphibious assault ship commissioned in 1997, named to honour the defense of Bataan peninsula; some other ships are USS Carter Hall and USS fort Mc Henry which will be ferrying much needed disaster relief material to the Caribbean country.

In 1942, despite rampant disease, malnutrition, insufficient supplies and ammunition the peninsula was valiantly defended until April 1942. Bataan was the last American stronghold in the Pacific theater to fall. The vessel was commission on 20 9 1997 ; LHDs embark, transport, deploy, command and fully support all elements of a Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) of 2,000 Marines, inserting forces ashore via helicopters, landing craft and amphibious vehicles.
One of the fleet's busiest ships over the last four years, Bataan has participated in manu operations including one at Iraqi and Afghanisthan. This 844 ft long ship has hospital facilities second only to the Navy's hospital ships, including six fully-equipped medical operating rooms, and hospital facilities capable of caring for as many as 600 patients.

Most of these data was taken from US Military site which has a privacy policy which states that the info. On the website is considered public information and may be distributed or copied.

Sharing with you, as I found this to be very interesting

With regards
S Sampathkumar.