Building Boats

VANUATU: A couple of years ago, Australian yachtsman Trevor Naylor was cruising through the southern islands of Malakula, in the area known as the Maskylines, when he noticed two things. Everyone used wooden canoes to travel from one island to the other and there were hardly any trees.

Launching one of the new boats In the Maskylines, hardwood and breadfruit tree numbers have diminished to a stage where the wood resource will be exhausted within three years. In turn, this could have a devastating impact on the ability to fish and to travel.

In seeking to find an answer to reverse this environment concern, Trevor met with the chiefs and community of the island. Together they put together a proposal for the Australian Government's Small Grants Scheme for funding to address their concerns: a project based on environmental protection.

They planned to save the remaining trees and create jobs by building fibre-glass boats. The net result of funding from the Australian Government is the development of the South Malakula Canoe Project.

In opening the project, the Australian High Commissioner to Vanuatu, Steve Waters said, 'We recognise the difficulties faced by people who are living in the remote areas of Vanuatu. Access to transport is not always easy, and the opportunity to earn a living is often very difficult. It was because we received such overwhelming support from the Province, the Government of Vanuatu and the community, that we agreed to provide the funding of over four million vatu [about $60,000] for the South Malakula Canoe Project.'

Thanks also to the tireless efforts of Trevor Naylor, the South Malakula Development Association, and the builders and workers at the factory, the South Malakula Canoe Project is now producing seven-metre canoes and two types of water tanks. And they're cheaper to buy than in Vila, Vanuatu's capital.

The community donated the land free of charge for five years and supplied labour and building materials. Now the factory is providing much needed employment. Already eight young men are learning the skills of the fibre-glass trade, specialising in canoes.

Above: Launching one of the new boats

2004