World first for deaf boaters

No plugs. No ice. Noice!

Brass Monkey Portable Fridge/Freezer with built-in battery compartment

For full range visit:

www.brassmonkey.cool or scan

• From 15L to 95L • 12/24V or 240V via adaptor • Built-in lithium battery compartment (battery sold separately) • Solar charging capable via external solar panel (sold separately)

* $239 RRP refers to 15L model GH2027. Model shown is 45L GH2022 RRP $499.

$239*

45L model shown GH2022

AVAILABLE FROM

1800 022 888 jaycar.com.au

Over 100 stores nationwide

1300 964 264 roadtechmarine.com.au

27 superstore locations and growing

World first for deaf boaters

New videos promote safer boating for the deaf and hard of hearing

Aseries of nine boating safety videos, signed in Australian Sign Language by MR Jervis Bay volunteer Sean Sweeney, are believed to be a world first in boating safety for deaf and hard of hearing boaters.

The videos were the brainchild of MR Jervis Bay Unit Commander Tony Dagger and unit member Sean Sweeney, both of whom have strong connections to the Deaf Community.

After discovering that his then girlfriend had deaf parents, and wanting to make a good impression, Tony went to TAFE for 12 months and learned to sign. It clearly worked, as the relationship went from strength to strength with Tony and his girlfriend eventually getting married.

Sean runs a successful interpreting business and signed for the Deaf Community at the daily New South Wales media conferences during the Black Summer bushfires, becoming a familiar figure on television screens across the nation.

Keen boaters in their own right, both saw a need for simple, signed information able to provide deaf and hard of hearing boaters with the critical safety advice they needed for a safe day out on the water.

Collaborating with the State Headquarters’ media team, topics and scripts were developed, with filming occurring on a bright and breezy September day in the bayside town of Huskisson.

Supported by Deaf Australia, the videos are set to be distributed within the Deaf Community within Australia, with the videos and transcripts also available on the Marine Rescue website and social media platforms.

Sean Sweeney and Tony Dagger in one of the videos.

For Tony, the videos were a labour of love, and fill a vital gap in the resources available for deaf and hard of hearing boaters.

“Boating is a popular activity within the Deaf Community, but until now there have been few resources available in their own language.”

“These unique videos cover a wide range of safety and boating maintenance issues, including how to Log On and Off with Marine Rescue, and will help keep deaf and hard of hearing boaters safer on our waterways.”

“It’s great to see Sean’s and my vision come to fruition, and we have both been overwhelmed with the positive response to the videos within the Deaf Community.”