CUSTOM SPECIALTY WINCHES FOR WELL DRILLING AND PUMP HOIST TRUCKS Manufactured with your specifications in mind BLOOM MANUFACTURING, LLC Custom Engineering Solutions Since 1910 Independence, IA 50644 USA www.bloommfg.com P: +1 319-827-1139 P: 800-394-1139 F: +1 319-827-1140 DESIGNED FOR OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE & SAFETY MAINLINE WINCHES 3000 to 35,000 pounds Up to 130 feet per minute SANDLINE WINCHES 1800 to 8000 pounds Up to 800 feet per minute WINCHES 46 OCTOBER 2020 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® by Tim Rasmussen Jay Gallagher is one of our volunteers who travels from Missouri to Guatemala each year to help us provide clean water in remote villages. He has been coming for about five years now, and with his skills in pump installation, drilling, and good general mechanical judgment, is a valuable asset to our operations. This year, he got a little more of Guatemala than he planned. He came just before the pandemic restrictions were put in place in the U.S. and, just before he was ready to go home, Guatemala followed the path of many countries and instituted restrictions for citizens and visitors - and they were tough. There was a countrywide stay-home order, and it was enforced by the military and local police. All bus transportation was stopped and all highways closed. A nationwide curfew was established from 4 p.m. to 6 a.m. and no persons were allowed on the streets. Typically, when Guatemala requires things, noncompliance can mean jail or worse. The police and the military really mean business and enforcement is swift and firm. There is not much due process. In addition, all airports were closed and no foreigners were permitted to enter the country. Foreigners already there were ordered to stay where they were and work through their respective embassies to arrange travel out of the country. Jay was trapped along with our other volunteers, but he developed a plan. Jay had spent his young adult life in the Bahamas and had grown up around boats. He was familiar with sailing and the independent nature of sailors. He decided to try and get out of Guatemala, and home to the USA, by boat. He didn’t have one, so he left our shop and headed to the city of Rio Dulce. Rio Dulce (sweet river) is a tourist town about 100 miles south of our shop and is on the Rio Dulce river, which runs out to the Caribbean Sea. It is frequently used by yachts and there is a large expatriate population. Jay had helped an orphanage there, Casa Agua Azul, and after checking on them, found a room at a local marina. The place was clean and cheap, and the food in the restaurant was good. He settled in and began to get acquainted with the folks there and the owners of the boats docked at the marina. [More about Jay’s return trip next month.] If you would like to help, contact Gary Bartholomew at 208-907-0010 or 509-939-1941 Tim Tim Rasmussen may be contacted via e-mail to michele@worldwidedrillingresource.com WTR
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