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The Kota Mama III Expedition - Bolivia to Brazil 2001 Interim
Report
General Ecology Inc. proudly donated First
Need Deluxe® portable water purifiers to the Scientific Exploration
Society's Phase III Kota Mama Expedition
The Kota Mama Expedition has been classified as a
major expedition spanning the millennium, run and approved by The
Scientific Exploration Society, UK.
Review of First Need portable water purifiers
- "the water purifiers were excellent and in constant use.
The waters of the various rivers were uniformly unclean- only the
colour varied... we were saved any devastating water borne illnesses
and we give the credit to 'First Need'. "- Captain Jim Masters.
Interim Report:
After an historic voyage of almost 4300 kms from the Andes to the
Atlantic in 83 days, the traditionally built boats of the Kota Mama
expedition reached Belem on 6th September 2001, creating a record
for river navigation by reed boats.
The project aims to show that the ancient people of South America
could have reached the ocean with such craft and is part of a five-phase
program organized by the Scientific Exploration Society. Two traditional
craft were used. The 9m trimaran, Kota Mama III was built by Aymara
Indians on Lake Titikaka, using the local tortora (reeds.) A 9.3
m raft made of balsa logs was built by Quecha Indians of Guanay.
In Bolivia exciting archaeological discoveries were made and many
community aid tasks completed successfully; medical and dental aid
was given to Indians living in remote areas.
Several enormous cataracts on the Beni and Madeira rivers, previously
considered impassable, were negotiated by the reed boat Kota Mama
III. In July, she was badly damaged at the Riberon cataract on the
Bolivian/Brazilian border and had to be repaired by Maximo Catari,
the famous Aymara boat builder, who flew in from Lake Titikaka.
Further damage had been sustained when encountering winds of up
to force 5 on the Amazon, but using hand tools and local timber
the crew was able to effect repairs. However, 600 kms from the ocean
the port outrigger hull became waterlogged and had to be abandoned.
The crew then converted Kota Mama III into a catamaran and sailed
on.
Reed boats absorb water and rot slowly. They rarely last more than
8 months. When constructed Kota Mama III weighed 15 tons and today
she probably weighs 29 tons. Cows have sometimes proved a hazard,
as they like to eat reed boats.
In Brazil the expedition medical team consisting of two doctors
(including Dr. Sam Allen of London who is a specialist in tropical
medicine) a dental surgeon and a British army nurse have cooperated
with mission organizations to remote communities along the Madeira
and Amazon rivers. The dental surgeon, Graham Catchpole of Taunton,
may also have established a record by extracting 1125 teeth in 120
days!
The project had numerous supporters ... General Ecology
Inc. (Quote "The First Need Portable Purifier made my whisky
& water safe to drink" unquote JBS) [is] among the sponsors.
"It has been a remarkable voyage" commented Colonel John
Blashford- Snell, leader of the expedition. "By the end all
our craft were damaged and leaking and the great reed boat was heavily
waterlogged. We had some real fears when the Atlantic rollers were
encountered near the mouth of the Amazon. We came in on a wing and
a prayer. We shall never forget the cooperation and kindness of
the Brazilian and Bolivian people".
General Ecology, Inc. is pleased to be part of such a worthwhile
venture through our donation of First Need Deluxe water purifiers
providing great tasting, safe drinking water to the members of the
Phase III Kota Mama Expedition.
