Navigation and Seamanship tuition continues by Distance Learning as well as in person, now we are allowed to meet as a class again.
Dear all,
We pray you are in good health, and had an enjoyable summer, either away on holiday or at home.
With the better weather we tried to get out on the water more and move our graduates forward towards their practical examinations. A number of obstacles seem to get in the way, not least scheduling challenges between trainees and instructors, as well as other ministry duties. However, we have managed to set things in place to get a better start next spring.
Some in-person teaching has started, at YWAM Burtigny, Switzerland, for example, however, the Distance learning courses continue to be in demand. This autumn quarter we have 25 trainees, using our interactive Moodle and Zoom tutorials. We suspect this type of training will continue, now it is well established.
To show what m/v Island Reach will look like, this is a drawing of her sister ship (on station in Lake Victoria) post her conversion.
With the Medical vessel for Madagascar project, we have been blessed with nearly all the conversion work being done by volunteers and much of the material donated. However, with that type of arrangement comes delays, as donated steel, for example, may not all come at once and not necessarily on the day you planned. That has consequences with the availability of volunteers, talking time off other work, and so on. The result has been a decision to delay the delivery sail to Madagascar until spring 2023. However, the extra time has helped with the preparations in Madagascar, where dealing with the government, even although enthusiastic about the medical vessel’s deployment, is moving forward at a slow pace! It is also allowing the Academy more time to set up marine training in Madagascar, while developing local partnerships.
This being said, over the spring and summer, a great deal of work has been done on the vessel with the cargo hatches and crane removed, and all the steel work for the additional cabins, showers and toilets added for the medical staff. This extends out from the original crew aft accommodation as in the picture above. Most of this work being completed in Acton Bridge, on the river Weaver.
Right now, she does not look as ‘pretty’ as this picture of m/v Jubilee Hope, being all bare steel and railings still being added. Which is why I am showing you this picture of what she will look like. In the former holds, all the partitions have been erected for the dental area, doctors consultation office, pharmacy, and the ophthalmologist’s surgery.
m/v Island Reach returns to Conwy on 28th September where the new cabins and the medical areas will be fitted out. By Christmas we hope she will be in a fit state to show people around. In the new year, while we finish preparing her for the long voyage to Madagascar (through the Mediterranean, Suez canal, down the Red sea and Indian Ocean) we will arrange some special viewing times.
As things move forward, I will keep you updated. If you are in north Wales, do try to come and see her.
Thank you for your support. Every blessing,
Captain Brian Sloan
Principal, YWAM Maritime Academy