Technical and Logistical Issues

From a purely technical standpoint, the problem of plugging the breach is miniscule. There are many simple methods and proven construction techniques that, given the proper materials, tools and equipment, the problem could probably be made to go away in a day at minimal expense.

By far, the real problem to be solved here is a logistical one. How can the problem be abated given the facts that there are extremely limited resources available, and that adding whatever resources might be needed is going to be a significant logistical feat. These are the parameters within which a solution must be found:

* The only raw material on-site consists of stone, coral, and sand

* Wood is in extremely short supply, if avaliable at all

* Only simple hand tools exist on the island

* There is no fuel or electriciy

* There are no vehicles or other mechanized equipment

* There is no port, dock, pier or off-loading facility of any kind

* The breach is not navigable to large craft

* The surrounding reef is too shallow to permit beach-landing of large craft

* Shipping must anchor on the leeward side of the island to offload

* Goods arriving by ship must be transported to the windward side of the island

* Transport and handling can only be done by-hand or by duguout canoe

* There is no dependable, regularly-scheduled shipping to Tikopia

* The nearest "commercial" port is Luganville in Vanuatu, 215 miles away

* Vanuatu is not part of the Solomons, hence there are customs issues

* The nearest "commericial" port in the Solomons is over 500 miles away

* The port of entry for foreign goods coming into the Solomons is Guadalcanal

* Guadalcanal is 700 miles from Tikopia

* Guadalcanal is 2000 miles from New Zealand

Aid from relief orgainizations and institutional financial assistance has be been solicited in the past, but the response has not been forthcoming. As one of our contributors who has had experience with similar aid requests wryly remarks, "...while your're waiting for instutional aid, you might as well dynamite the opening, build a beach bar in the lagoon, put out moorings, and run ads in the cruising guides. The payoff will be quicker."

Well said. So, an ideal solution in this instance should meet most, if not all, of the following criteria:

* Extremely low-tech as to componentry, mechanics and methodology

* Lightweight, compact, non-bulky componentry

* Capable of rapid assembly/installation using only basic hand tools

* Readilly transportable and installable on-site by hand and/or duguout canoe

* Minimal requirements as to materials not available on-site

* Minimal transport distance/requirements for materials not available on site

* Inexpensive, as only source of available funding is likely private, individual donors


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