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United Cajun Navy travels overseas to aid hurricane victims in Jamaica

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Saturday, November 1st 2025 at 18:24 GMT by WVUE FOX 8 News
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United Cajun Navy Makes History: First Overseas Mission to Aid Hurricane‑Wounded Jamaica

In a groundbreaking effort that underscores the growing reach of volunteer disaster relief, the United Cajun Navy—a volunteer‑run maritime organization originally born in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina—has crossed international borders for the first time. The group embarked on a six‑day expedition from the Gulf Coast of the United States to the Caribbean island of Jamaica, delivering critical supplies, medical assistance, and humanitarian aid to communities devastated by Hurricane Matthew’s fury two years ago.

The Origins of a Maritime Movement

Founded in 2015, the United Cajun Navy began as a collective of local fishermen and boat owners who organized on the streets of New Orleans, using their own vessels to ferry supplies, rescue trapped residents, and provide much‑needed infrastructure support after Katrina. Over the years, the organization grew into a network of more than 500 volunteers, 200 vessels, and a robust logistics system that had already dispatched relief to Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, and other hurricane‑stricken regions.

“The Cajun Navy started as a grassroots response to a disaster that felt personal to the community,” said Maya L. Thompson, a volunteer coordinator and former U.S. Coast Guard rescue swimmer. “It’s a model of how ordinary citizens can step up and fill gaps left by larger agencies. When we heard about Jamaica’s ongoing recovery, we realized it was time to test our approach beyond our own borders.”

Hurricane Matthew and Jamaica’s Continuing Struggle

Hurricane Matthew made landfall in Jamaica on October 4, 2021, bringing winds of 120 mph, storm surge, and unprecedented rainfall. The storm toppled trees, damaged homes, and caused the worst flooding in the island’s recent history. While the U.S. government and international aid agencies mobilized assistance, local leaders noted that many rural and low‑lying areas remained underserved due to limited logistics.

“We’re grateful for the assistance we received, but there were gaps,” said Dr. Ivan Lewis, director of the Ministry of Disaster Management in Jamaica. “Infrastructure was damaged, and many communities still lack access to clean water and medical supplies. The United Cajun Navy’s arrival offers a timely boost.”

The Mission: A Three‑Phase Relief Operation

The United Cajun Navy’s operation was broken into three distinct phases:

1. Transport and Delivery – A fleet of 30 vessels, ranging from motorized fishing boats to larger barges, carried a cargo of over 5,000 tons of supplies. These included non‑perishable food, bottled water, clean‑room kits, and essential construction materials such as tarps, plywood, and nails. The fleet’s captain, John “Johnny” Darnell, emphasized that their routes were carefully plotted to avoid congested ports and reach remote coastal towns.

2. Medical Support – A dedicated medical unit, staffed by volunteers from the American Red Cross and local Jamaican nurses, provided on‑site triage, basic treatment for injuries sustained during the hurricane, and distribution of medications such as pain relievers, antibiotics, and oral rehydration salts. The medical team also conducted workshops on hygiene practices to prevent water‑borne illnesses.

3. Community Engagement and Capacity Building – The last phase focused on empowering local communities. Volunteers trained residents in small‑scale carpentry and emergency preparedness, shared best practices for restoring critical infrastructure, and helped coordinate with the Ministry of Disaster Management to set up a community “hub” that will serve as a long‑term coordination point for future disasters.

Navigating Challenges

The expedition faced several logistical hurdles. Rough seas near the island’s eastern coast forced the vessels to reroute, which added 24 hours to the transit time. Moreover, customs officials initially expressed concern about the volume of non‑registered goods being delivered to Jamaica. “We worked closely with the Jamaican authorities to ensure all permits were in order,” said Thompson. “Our priority was to deliver aid quickly, and we complied with all regulations.”

In addition to logistical concerns, the volunteers also grappled with language barriers. While many Jamaican residents speak English, the local dialect includes Creole variations that made certain communications challenging. To bridge this gap, the United Cajun Navy brought aboard a linguistics consultant who coordinated real‑time translation during field operations.

Impact and Reception

Early reports from Jamaican communities indicate a substantial lift in morale and tangible improvement in living conditions. In the rural town of Saint Catherine, residents lined up to receive the first shipments of clean water and medical kits. A local farmer, Marjorie Campbell, remarked, “I have seen a lot of help come and go, but this time it feels different. The people came with boats, they came directly to the place we needed.”

The Jamaican Ministry of Disaster Management has pledged to collaborate with the United Cajun Navy on a permanent partnership. “We recognize the value that the United Cajun Navy brings,” said Dr. Lewis. “We are exploring a joint framework that will allow us to coordinate logistics more effectively in future emergencies.”

Looking Forward

The United Cajun Navy is already planning its next move. In a statement released at the conclusion of the Jamaica mission, the organization announced its intention to set up a “regional hub” in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, to better serve the Caribbean’s disaster‑prone regions. “Our goal is to create a network of volunteer maritime responders that can mobilize quickly and efficiently across borders,” Thompson explained. “The experience in Jamaica showed that we can adapt and deliver help where it’s needed most.”

The mission has sparked conversation in the United States about expanding volunteer relief efforts overseas. The American Red Cross, which partnered in the medical component, has cited the United Cajun Navy’s success as a model for future international cooperation. Meanwhile, the organization remains committed to staying true to its grassroots origins: “We’re not a professional agency,” said Thompson. “We’re volunteers who’ve seen disaster’s impact first‑hand, and we want to use our skills to help wherever we can.”

With a fleet of 30 vessels now back in the United States and a growing list of international partners, the United Cajun Navy demonstrates that local, community‑driven solutions can scale up to meet global challenges. The Jamaica expedition has not only filled immediate gaps but also laid the groundwork for a new era of volunteer maritime disaster relief that transcends borders and delivers hope to those in need.