SAILS FOR SEYCHELLES

Seychelles, an island archipelago nation in the Indian ocean that consists of 116 granitic and coralline islands. Fishing plays a large role in the life of most Seychellois men. Although Seychelles has some of the richest fishing grounds in the world, their fishing boats are far from adequate. Every morning, nearly the entire male population of coastal villages head out in their small sailing vessels to catch fish. Boys as young as ten years old can be seen heading out more than 15kms into the open ocean hoping to catch fish. Back home, the men sell this fish and are lucky to make for themselves $1.00 per day.

Furthermore, fishing in Seychelles has other downsides as well as the low income. In the region surrounding Seychelles and Madagascar, approximately 20,000 fishermen died last year. This was mostly due to poor maintenance of engines on their boats or damage to their well-worn sails. Many set sail in the morning, never to be seen again, as they are either blown further out to sea or their boats break apart under the harsh weather condi-tions and the crew become food for the many sharks that lurk in this area.

Fishermen from Seychelles being instructed on use of their new sails that were donated by various yachting clubs around Australia (Photo courtesy of Sails Ocean Sails)

Last year the Apostleship of the Sea in Australia was approached by chaplains from Sey-chelles & Madagascar in the hope of obtaining assistance and support for aid to these small fishing communities. About the same time, Ted Richardson, the AOS Australia National Director received a letter from a newly formed organisation known as Sails Ocean Sails, based in Canberra. Their purpose was to launch a project on a lifesaving awareness program. The project was being run by Mr Peter Gately. His idea was to obtain used sails from various yachting and sailing clubs around Australia, then „recut‟ them so that they could be used again on small fishing boats. Peter was also aware of the great loss of life in third world countries by fishermen working on poorly maintained boats.