Mission Capabilities
Mission Capabilities
The Phoenix is designed as a flexible platform capable of supporting diverse missions, including:
Community Development Logistics
Delivering materials and modular components to help construct or support community centers, schools, small clinics, and other local infrastructure.
Medical and Dental Care
Hosting modular clinics on board or ashore for primary care, minor surgeries, eye care, and dental treatment using containerized “Doc in a Box” units.
Clean Water and Sanitation
Producing and delivering desalinated water to indigenous and remote communities during dry seasons, while supporting hygiene and sanitation programs.
Emergency and Humanitarian Aid
Transporting medical teams, supplies, food, and shelter materials to communities affected by disasters or seasonal isolation.
Environmental and Circular-Economy Projects
Collecting recyclables and other recoverable materials, transporting them to regional processing hubs, and returning with goods and tools that sustain local livelihoods.
Marine Restoration and Research
- Serving as a coral spawning platform that can be relocated to reef restoration sites across the Caribbean.
- Supporting 3D coral reef printing initiatives.
- Facilitating seagrass planting and other habitat-restoration projects.
The Phoenix embodies a forward-looking approach built on five key principles:
Modular
Based on container and trailer units that can be swapped, upgraded, or repurposed as needs evolve.
Rapidly Deployable
Capable of arriving fully equipped and operational within minutes rather than days.
Community-Focused
Designed to collaborate with local leaders, health workers, and volunteers, leaving behind improved skills, infrastructure, and capacity.
Multi-Role
A single vessel adaptable for medical missions, water delivery, logistics, or environmental operations without major reconfiguration.
Shallow-Water Compatible
A multi-hull design optimized for Caribbean and other shallow-water environments.
Thank you.
As the Grateful Dead famously said, “What a long, strange trip it’s been.” This journey would not have been possible without the support of so many people. While I can’t name everyone, I want to recognize a few who truly went above and beyond
“Brian Wilcox of The Dolphin Bay Hideaway, my closest friend there, supported me week after week during my deliveries to the outer islands, offering spare fuel and shelter through countless storms. Brian has also overseen all the tree plantings — not only the Almendro, but the monthly plantings carried out through the Bocas Rainforest Reforestation Initiative (BRRI) in collaboration with the Institute for Tropical Ecology and Conservation (ITEC).”
“My deepest gratitude also goes to Dr. Peter N. Lahanas and Leonor Caballos Meraz of ITEC, whose guidance, partnership, and ecological expertise have strengthened every aspect of our reforestation efforts. We are equally thankful for the continued support of MiAmbiente under the leadership of Lucrecia Miller and her dedicated team, who join us month after month for our ongoing plantings. Jana Koebel of Seas and Straws and One Earth One Ocean was always there with practical advice on plastics and recycling — and to help steer the ship.”
“Gary from Green Acres has generously donated many of the Almendro saplings that have made this project possible. Joan and Steve from The Cosmic Crab inspired the creation of the lionfish initiative through their unwavering support of local fishermen and their commitment to keeping lionfish on the menu. Heylis Martinez, our official translator and a wonderful volunteer, also serenades us with her amazing opera voice.”
“The Rotary Club of Bocas del Toro — along with the outstanding Emily Talentino, Kurt Betzel, and Sam Horn (who also serves as director of Floating Doctors, an extraordinary organization serving Indigenous communities) — has been a steadfast partner throughout this work. We are also deeply grateful to Doug Marcy of Caribbean Coral Reef, our strategic partner on the Rotary Reef Project in Panama. Special thanks go to Nico from The Bocas Breeze, whose support and community engagement have helped amplify these efforts. And finally, heartfelt thanks to the team at the Ultimate Refugio, who never let us down and always feed and entertain the Rotary volunteers we bring.”
“A very special thanks and tribute go to what I call the ‘Panama Dream Team’ — Juan Carlos Navarro, Minister of the Environment of Panama, and Juan Carlos Monterrey Gómez, Special Representative for Climate Change of Panama’s Ministry of the Environment. Their shared passion, deep expertise, and unwavering commitment to protecting our planet make them exceptional leaders at a time when the world needs them most. I’m truly excited to continue working together and to build on our shared commitment to advancing meaningful environmental and climate action.”
“Thank you to Rotarian John Mathers for championing youth voices as an important part of climate action. Thank you to our Rotary Club members Elizabeth Doty and Don Bender, whose support helped create 4-7-8-17, and to Rotaract President Zachary Weaver for creating the 4-7-8-17 AI Navigator.”
Thank you.
Thank You Everyone
Rotary Club of Newport Beach, Don and Steve Bender, Dr. Rita Garabet with Mike Peers of The Rotary Club of Coronado, Panama.
Rotary District 5320 Dentist and Volunteers in Coronado, Panama
Rotary Club of Newport Beach, Dr. Kiyomi Yamizaki, Dr. Jennifer Stone, President Steve Bender, Dr Haleh Shaheedy and Ayuda Co-Founder, Dr. Harris Done from RC of Anaheim
Thank You Everyone
Rotary club of Newport Beach’s, Dream Team: Dr Kiyomi Yamazaki, Dr Travis Hunt, Ashely Affholter, B.S. RDH. and Dr Jennifer Stone at the amazing air conditioned clinic location at Tropical Arts in Bocas Del Toro, Panama
Rotary club of Newport Beach’s, Dream Team: Dr Kiyomi Yamazaki, Dr Travis Hunt, Ashely Affholter, B.S. RDH. and Dr Jennifer Stone at the amazing air conditioned clinic location at Tropical Arts in Bocas Del Toro, Panama
