WE NEED YOUR HELP TO SAVE THE NEW ANGELITO 2
WE NEED YOUR HELP TO SAVE THE NEW ANGELITO 2
Daniela Paez is an excellent friend of the Angelito-Family and Maja and Bruna at Cometa Travel. The Angelito-Family is based in Ecuador, where GoFundMe has no direct access yet. Daniela Paez kindly agreed to host this fundraising in the States. She has the Angelitos' absolute confidence and will take care of transferring your donations to us!
About Us:
The Andrade is a Galapagos family with more than four decades of exemplary service in Galapagos tourism. Through loads of hard work and sacrifice, their Angelito boats have evolved to constantly provide the best service at the highest levels of eco-consciousness while remaining a 100% Galapagos-based operation. As one of the few Galapagos-based cruise lines, our taxes and wages directly and positively impact the incredible, magical Galapagos economy and community.
In 1970, the Andrade brothers decided to convert their fishing boat into an eight-passenger tourist ship. And thus, the Angelito was born! 
In keeping with our mission to always stay on the cutting edge of the tourism experience, we launched the Yacht Angelito 1 in 1990. In 2013, we remodeled to provide a better, more comfortable experience for passengers and crew alike. 
In 2019, the Andrade family seized the opportunity to purchase a new boat to replace the beloved Angelito 1 when a quality hull was found in the Netherlands. The ship hull was transported to Ecuador to locally create the perfect interior with improved design and accommodations while maintaining the classic Angelito feel.
On Sept. 28th, the Angelito 2 was finally and joyously delivered to Manta, Ecuador!
COVID-19, the Unexpected Impact:
Shortly before the expected delivery of the New Angelito 2 from the Netherlands, the COVID-19 pandemic locked down international travel and shipping, so it was not delivered as planned. Simultaneously, the whole operation of the Yacht Angelito 1 in Galapagos ground to a total halt in March and has yet to resume.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Yacht Angelito 1 has continued to employ its crew and staff, despite not running a cruise since March 15, 2020. The cruises had to be canceled, and all income to the business ceased while the held-up New Angelito 2 continued to accrue expenses.
Odds Stacked Against Us:
Unfortunately, the New Angelito 2 was damaged in transit from Netherland to Ecuador: welders, working on a deck over the storage space of the New Angelito 2, accidentally started a fire when sparks hit the ship's back. The rear deck was damaged, and some special equipment was completely ruined. Costly repairs are needed to fix the New Angelito 2 to prevent further damage, as parts of the ship are now exposed and vulnerable to the coastal weather. While the New Angelito 2 is insured, the plan comes with a $25,000 deductible before the coverage kicks in.
Furthermore, the delayed shipping from the Netherlands caused New Angelito 2’s import contract to expire. Ecuador's government, also deeply affected by the COVID-19 crisis, has opted not to accept the terms' extension. The Ecuadorian government is now demanding full and immediate payment of the $225,000 import taxes or the first payment of $90,000, more than double the initially agreed-upon arrangement that requires additional, costly insurance while the balance is paid over 2 years.
In yet another obstacle, the New Angelito 2 is currently accruing “parking fees” in Manta of $1,000 a day until the import taxes can be paid.
The Current State of Urgency:
The Galapagos Islands are open for tourism, and the Yacht Angelito 1 has been updated to the highest levels of biosecurity and is eager to get back in the water. Still, tourism remains almost nonexistent as travelers continue to stay home.
In short, the tragic and unforeseeable circumstances mean that the Yacht Angelito 1 is unable to bring in any income whatsoever to cover the damage to the New Angelito 2, the import taxes, and the daily parking fee.
If the Andrade family cannot negotiate new conditions with the Ecuadorian government, the full burden of import taxes will come due. If they cannot pay, the government can permanently seize the New Angelito 2, and the Andrade family will lose the new boat and their entire investment in it.
This would be a devastating loss to the Andrade family as well as the Galapagos tourism experience, as small, family-owned operations.
You Can Help Save the New Angelito 2:
The Andrade family needs your help saving the New Angelito 2; we can’t do it without help! We appreciate your support and solidarity by making a donation and sharing this call for help!
Help save a legacy small business in the magical Galapagos! And don’t forget to tell your friends!
Daniela Paez is hosting this fundraising for us. She is an excellent friend of the Angelito-Family and Maja and Bruna at Cometa Travel. The Angelito-Family is based in Ecuador, where GoFundMe has no direct access yet. Daniela Paez, in the States, has the Angelitos' absolute confidence and will take care of transferring your donations to us!
Added bonus! If you'de like, donations of $ 500 or more can be exchanged for a reservation deposit or a gift card for future cruises with us. To do it, please send your request with proof of your donation to cometa at cometatravel.com