Relief sailboat departs from Florida Keys to Haiti

A classic sailing schooner has departed from the Florida Keys bound for earthquake-ravaged Haiti with more than 10 tons of relief supplies.

The 74-foot(22.5-meter)-long boat’s cargo of food, water, medicine, tools and other supplies, donated by Keys residents and businesses, began the 650-mile (1,050-kilometer) voyage Saturday with seven crew members to a remote Haitian coastal village.

Although the village suffered minimal damage from the Jan. 12 earthquake, it has become overcrowded with Haitians who fled Port-au-Prince. It is situated in a region inaccessible to large relief ships.

The crossing to Haiti should take about six days. The exact destination is not being revealed until after arrival, to protect the security of the cargo and crew.