On the Water Program

 

In November 2008, Franklin MHR Julie Collins announced Federal Government funding of $100,000  to run the On the Water Program (OWP), under the auspices of the Medicare Healthy Active Australia initiative.


This funding was administered by Huon Valley cluster of schools who contracted the Living Boat Trust to deliver sail and row training to over 300 children during the first year of the programme in 2009, the aims of which were:


  1. ๏ to promote the safe enjoyment of our waterways

  2. ๏ to get kids active and to give them the means to stay active

  3. ๏ to be able to have the students competent in a small dinghy, both rowing and sailing


In 2010 the Tasmanian State Government announced a continuation of the On the Water Program, with the funding going directly to the Living Boat Trust. There were some changes to the format r by offering in addition, an after hours program that allowed students to gain Yachting Australia certification for the Basic Skills 1 course. This qualification is part of a national database so students can advance these skills anywhere in Australia. This second version of the program, also funded by a $100,000 grant ran for 18 months and allowed 420 students to participate in the OWP. In addition 5 students qualified for Yachting Australia Basic Skills 1 certification. The funding allowed two Swiftsure Regattas which has become a significant community event in Franklin in November.


Details of the history of the OWP can be seen here and photos can be seen here.


Students need to prepare for this program, see here


In September 2011, The Huon Valley Health Services Advisory Committee granted money to allow a Healthy Eating Program to be run within the OWP and this turned out to be a very productive and popular initiative aimed at developing a practical awareness of good nutrition. More details can be see here.



Students of the OWP were able to gain proficiency in:


Prepare and Plan

  1. BulletSailing Stretches

  2. Bullet Select clothing and safety equipment suitable to the conditions, including food and water

  3. Bullet Group and individual safety practices demonstrated

  4. BulletBasic weather and water awareness

  5. BulletUnderstand the need for the right sort of food to eat beforehand and to take on board


Rigging

  1. Bullet Correct positioning of the boat relative to wind direction

  2. Bullet Identify parts of the boat, rigging and sails

  3. Bullet Rig boat with assistance


Ropework

  1. Bullet Figure of eight

  2. Bullet Round turn and two half hitches

  3. BulletWe also teach bowline, rolling hitch, clove hitch, cleating and reef knot


Sailing Techniques and Manoeuvres

  1. BulletSteering and crewing in light winds under supervision

  2. Bullet Sail a reaching course in light winds

  3. Bullet Primary boat  controls and basic heave-to


Rescue Procedures and Drills

  1. Bullet Capsize Recovery Drill

  2. Bullet Towing


Launching and Recovery

  1. Bullet Leaving and returning to a beach / launching facility

  2. Bullet Demonstrate care of boats when launching and docking


Sailing Theory and Background

  1. Bullet Observation of basic rules including:

  2. Bullet  Avoid Collisions

  3. Bullet  Power and sail meeting

  4. Bullet  Exceptions - commercial vessels


Winds, tides and currents

  1. Bullet  Wind direction and relative strength

  2. Bullet Environmental wind indicators

Andrew Dobson, outdoor education specialist teacher, in his element with participants from the 2009 OWP at Cradoc jetty and boat ramp

Capsize practice on a Grebe

The Capricornia on expedition duty on a still Huon day