LOVE BOAT DOCKED OFF DEVASTATED HAITI: OLA and VOYAGER: Too Much Relief?

The United Nations is spending more than $10 million to house some of its Haiti relief workers on a pair of chartered cruise ships — one of which has been dubbed “the Love Boat” by UN staff.

THE SEA VOYAGE – ex-CAPE MAY LIGHT serves as one of the Love Boats for UN Workers at a cost of $10 Million. The small cruise ship is very reminiscent of coastal steamers that use to operate overnight between US and Canadian cities. Such as Canadian Pacific’s Princess liners between Vancouver and Victoria.

Read Peter Knego’s story about the Haiti UN “Love Boats” at Maritime Matters: Controversy is brewing over the U.N.’s recent charter of the 1966-built OLA ESMERALDA (ex BLACK PRINCE) and the 2001-built SEA VOYAGER (ex CAPE MAY LIGHT) to house earthquake aid workers at Haiti. The charter, reportedly costing $112,500 per day, is stirring international interest and allegations that one of the vessels, the OLA ESMERALDA, reputedly has ties close to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez..  Click here to read rest of story at Maritime Matters.