Global help
The Ocean Race does their bit as the international crisis caused by the COVID-19 virus continues to impact communities, families and individuals around the world.
Written by Peter Rusch
Photography by The Ocean Race
21 April 2020
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The current health crisis sweeping the world is challenging organisations to contribute.
The Ocean Race have been providing a measure of help to local health care providers who are stretched to capacity caring for patients with COVID-19.
“Here at The Ocean Race, our thoughts are with those affected and we support all on the front line who are working to contain the virus and minimise its impact,” says the organisation.
Their technology team, who more typically spend their time developing the systems that bring media off the boats, have re-purposed the office 3D printer, normally used to build custom mounts and brackets for media equipment, to manufacture protective face shield masks that are now in short supply in local facilities.
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The hospital in Elda, located 40 kilometres inland from race headquarters in Alicante, has been particularly hard hit, as many local shoe manufacturing companies had representatives attend a trade fair in Northern Italy just before the health crisis erupted. Authorities believe this has contributed to a localised outbreak in COVID-19 cases.
Estefania Esteve, the Financial Director for The Ocean Race identified a need in Elda through communications with a local contact. The race is also speaking with local hospitals in Alicante about whether there is a way to provide help here as well.
Using a design shared on the internet, Technology Director Samuel Piñeiro, has been running the Race’s 3D printer 24-hours a day in a spare room in his house, producing protective shields to help ease an overburdened system.
“We all know how acute the crisis is here in Spain,” Piñeiro said. “This is one, small, concrete thing we can do, with the tools we have, to provide some help.”
The Ocean Race provided an initial batch of 18 face shields to health care workers. Heading into the Easter weekend, the team at The Ocean Race distributed 70 shields to health care workers in the local area.
Similarly, Iker Martinez, a veteran of The Ocean Race in 2011-12 and 2014-15, has been spending his time in ‘self-isolation’ sewing masks for health care workers from his home in Palma de Mallorca.
“I know I can’t do it as fast as the professionals, but there are not enough masks and I can help a little bit,” he told Spanish newspaper Marca.
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