Tsunami & HAL crew

[Winchester]

Hello. I was asking around ... wondering if any of the crew members of HAL ships had lost folks in the tsunami. I figured that since they recruit so heavily from OUT THERE, there might be problems if too many had been affected. And then what was the line doing for them.

The word from one site I get news from:

“They've (HAL) checked and it appears none of their crew members have relatives who died in the tsunami. Pretty amazing. The PR department pointed out that the deaths mainly took place in the Sumatra area whereas almost 100% of the crew comes from the greater Jakarta area.”

[debblue]

i have a close dear friend who had just gotten back home in jakarta when this tragedy struck, after numerous calls and checking all over the computer i was able to find out he is safe and the proper where he lives was not affected. it seems hard to believe, i have not had a chance to speak to him by e-mail or phone as communicationns are very difficult or not in service. my prayers and thoughts are with all the people and especially the hal crew. my donation has been sent to hal which in turn will be sending it to the indoneisan red cross.i watch the tv every night to see if i see him and other friends and prayer for all affected. being from ny it brings back some difficult memories from 9-11 but that and this tragedy makes me realize again how precious life family and friends are.........

[kelmac]

Just got off the Volendam, and it was hard to tell how much the crew was effected by this tragedy. HAL announced they were sending money to help in the relief efforts and the passengers could donate additional money. A box was set up in the main office area, and they had collected over $1,500 the last time I checked.

All the crew members seemed okay, but you would see them sneek outside and use their cell phones. It all got to my wife one night and she could not hold back the tears; I hope HAL helps out their crew members, that may have lost family, and provide these workers with transportation back home.

very sad.

Kel

[temple10]

I was on the Statendam during the time of the Tsunami and it was announced crew members had lost family. They did not say how many, byt Holland America sent thousands to the Inndonasian red cross in memory of their staff members. And you know They also announced their staff was so strong they kept working with smiles on their faces. My room stewart found out his wife and baby were alive but had lost everything. I felt so terriable for him. I not only wanted to reward his acceptional service but hope to give a little hope for him and his family. So left a nice little envolope. Christine

[ekerr19]

I figured that since they recruit so heavily from OUT THERE, there might be problems if too many had been affected.
???? What is "OUT THERE?"

[LizB1]

My understanding is that there are 20 (fleet-wide) from Samatra. I was not informed of how many of these gentlemen lost family members, however.

I was also told the best way to donate would be to send checks to the Indonesian Red Cross.

[hdawson]

Winchester look for a thread about fundraising through HAL here on the boards. Probably 2 or 3 pages back. I posted a letter from HAL exec offices.

[lwnbwlr]

Just off the Amstredam where the captain announced that none of the crew lost "immediate" family members (thankfully). Several of the crew lost aunts, uncles, neices and nephews. In response to a very low keyed announcement in the daily paper, the passengers donated over $10,000 to the Indonesian Red Cross. I thought this response was very generous.

Jim in Florida

[Winchester]

Very nice. That's the type of HAL passenger I know !!

My check went in the mail.

[CynBen]

We were on the Rotterdam when the tsunami hit Sumatra on Dec.26. Our cabin steward, Faisol, is from Bali and his wife and child are in East Java so they were far from the destruction. Most all of the Indonesian crew on the Rotterdam are from Java and Bali, but one of our waiters told me he had a friend from Banda Aceh (sp?),Sumatra on board whose brother and sister-in-law were still missing.
HAL arranged an interdenominational memorial service and set up collection boxes for the Indonesian Red Cross throughout the ship. Just before we disembarked in FLL on Jan.5, they announced we had raised almost $17,000 dollars through donations on the ship in a little over a week. I was so impressed with the generosity of the people on the ship.

Cynthia

[sail7seas]

Just off Veendam, and we were told there were five crew members who lost either a dear friend or more distant than immediate relative. None (it is my understanding) lost a very close relation.


Veendam also had an Indonesian Red Cross Contribution box at the office.