My environmental project

IMA

Ima (eeemah) is a boat I am building from plywood and fiberglass. 
I have lived on the Sea a few times in my life and I am looking forward to returning to that lifestyle. 
Ima will be as "green" as possible. She will not have an engine so there will not be fuel or exhausts to pollute the water or air. The only back up to the sails will be oars. Sea life isn't for everyone and this type of sea life is for even fewer people. Much more foresight and planning is needed since I will not have the power of an engine to negotiate wind, currents and tides. The only fuel I will have is propane and denatured alcohol for cooking.
At this time the sails will be made from canvas.
The standing and running rigging are of nylon rope and the blocks and other rigging hardware I made from wood. 
I plan to have gel filled batteries that get their power from solar panels and a wind generator and use LED lights to save power. I will have storage tanks for water, a chemical toilet that is required by law and a composting toilet that I just built, both for when I am in areas close to shore. 

Ima is being built to accommodate groups of people and gear. She will have an open area where we can hold dive gear, supplies for rescue operations, environmental operations and anything else we get ourselves into. I plan to have a self bailing deck in that area since it will be open to weather. 

About 30 years ago I worked with dolphin and whale rescue in the Florida Keys so the Keys are my destination once I launch Ima from Texas where she is being built. From there I will go where there is a calling or purpose to go. 

How this project will be launch and how you can support

Ima will be registered as a homebuilt boat and cannot act as a commercial vessel in any way. There are very distinct laws under which I follow as a pilot and as a mariner. As a pilot I can accept money, food and services for flying someone to a location, however in a boat, I cannot.  That is maritime law. People can give me donations that help support the efforts I make towards keeping Ima maintained well enough for the environmental work I will be doing. 
Boats always need something. Every year Ima will need to be lifted out of the water to have her bottom cleaned and repainted and maybe more often if something happens to her. Things wear out and break and usually at the least favorable time. Other boaters can hit her and sometimes there are lightning strikes. Sea life....

How you can participate

Volunteer:   I get involved in many types of projects and sometimes those projects need help. While they could be very honourable project of great environmental or humanitarian value, they may not be able to pay money for help. However, they could provide interesting experiences and I contribute skill building and free Shamanic teachings and services to the volunteers.

I am open to having people ride along for environmental and rescue operations but there are a few requirements. You need to be a good swimmer and I will test you. Remember Ima will nor have an engine so if you fall overboard and you don't grab the 100' rope that will be trailing her, you will need to be able to swim until Ima can get to you. 
You need to be in above average physical condition. You may need to row a while and do other things for as long as needed.

Ima will remind the world how we can live, travel and do many things in a green and simple way. 
She will provide time and opportunity for people to make a great connection to the Sea and Nature. 

Support::   Life takes resources. As sustainable as I would like to be, I still need to pay for fuel, building materials, travel expenses and other things. At the time of writing this I am 61 years old and while I am in great shape I am too “old” to be hired for almost everything. Your contributions help keep me helping others.

Contributions can be money, canvas, rope, chain, navigation gear like marine GPS, current navigation charts, hand held marine radios, anchors, galvanized chain at least 1/4 inch, canned non GMO food, portable solar panels, wind generators, life jackets and other safety gear...

Also something that will be very helpful is having places where I can put Ima when I need to travel or to hide from a Hurricane. This can be a private dock or a connection to helpful people at a marina.
All help is greatly appreciated.