Expedition Leader: Fiji Reef Conservation Project
Added to website: 10 July 2004
Someone is screaming out just off the reef…
“I’m dying… Save me”!
Pete casually looks up and out over the flat calm then resets his attention to his drilling.
The boat driver sits supping sweet tea while Kate heckles from the veranda “Hurry up!- She’ll drown soon”.
Steve finally drags the body up onto Raviniake beach where Matt stares with his clipboard.
Who the hell is in charge here? Ahh.. that’d be me. I’m a bit busy at the laptop to give too much attention to the oxygen admin. and CPR- there are things to order, porridge oats, bog rolls.
This morning has started well. I was woken to a blood red sunrise, the volunteers chirping at breakfast about the mornings planned drowning diver rescue skill test and last nights success of the newly painted Twister board. I have put the finishing touches to the weekly report & accounts and the iffy VHF phone link has actually succeeded in emailing them off to London. Both boat driver and cook arrived on time and the sun is climbing into a now unblemished blue sky. There were times when things weren’t half as enjoyable- distinctly tough, but nowadays all is well.
I pack up the petty cash, the photocopying to be done, the bits and bobs that I need and say goodbye. Strolling round the island I meet some of the guys from Solevu village cutting grass to repair their roofs and have a chat.
Once at Castaway Island Resort (our symbiotic host) I chat to my compressor operator, the kid’s club staff, the gardeners, the security staff, pretty much anyone who I bump into “Bula…. Etc etc…”
I remember to pop into Damien’s office- touching base. I update him on the possibility of our Medical Officer moving up to the Yasawas and thank him for Saturday’s Pizza evening… a strange night that saw me at one point dressed in nothing but palm fronds.
Once on the ferry I give acknowledging nods to the baggage handlers busy strumming on the ukulele and singing and sit down to plan my shop. Phone bill, chase Dave up with the hydraulics for Taiken, email, visit MH for the food, pay Charles at the market. I should call into Pacific Embroidery about the uniforms if I have the time. Oh, buy chocolate for the volunteers and somebody wanted a hammock… it’ll be busy… antifoul paint, padlocks, ask Carpenters about servicing the generator…
I catch a ride into town in the Castaway van. I spend the journey talking about the recent rain and how I can work here if I don’t get paid. At the mainland office yep- more chatting to Jemima, Seru and Sharleen to pay the freight delivery and this months rent.
I bump into Di from the Mamanuca Environmental Society and we talk about village workshops, Coral Cay’s progression in Fiji, mutual friends and promise we’ll hook up for a meal soon.
At MH supermarket Sharmilla coos on about her recent holiday and the bargains that can be bought in Suva… not really my bag and anyway I need to explain to the manager that I’m unhappy with the no. of delivery errors his warehouse makes. Tota takes it as casually as ever and I’m forced to express my desire to try another outlet to gain his full attention.
The day pans out in the same manner, a successful percentage of my tasks are completed before it’s time to jump on the Marina bus.
Back on site there’s a lot to do. I need to speak with my boat driver, I’ve prepared a written warning for his recent absenteeism that’s going to need explaining, not a fun task. We’ll have our evening meal after which I give my daily talk to the volunteers… purpose of chores, the game plan for the next few days, praise any successful test results and it’s Jess’s birthday, so there’s a cake and balloons to prepare. After that it’s the staff meeting. But right now it’s 5.30pm and that means one thing- time for a cold beer.
Yep being an Expedition Leader involves a lot of chatting. When everything is running smoothly it’s a case of friendly banter. But sometimes there are difficult things to talk through, the words must be direct and commanding or humble and understanding. It seems to me, though, that the more you talk the better it runs.
- Henry Milner
