The Exercise
Engineering Students, sponsored by the Defence Academy of the UK, came to India in March of 2005 to participate in "Exercise Shrivenham Da Gama" which involved the building of a replacement fishing boat for the victims of the Asian Tsunami. The students belong to Thunderer and Typhoon Squadrons, which form part of the Defence Academy's Defence Technical Undergraduate Scheme (DTUS) which is based at Aston, Loughborough, Newcastle Northumbria and Southampton Universities. Money for this project was donated from various sources including the School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers at Bordon who raised money during an indoor Rowing Marathon covering the distance from Bordon to Banda Aceh. The Exercise was undertaken in partnership with Kondo Syokai in their boat building facilities in Cochin.
This is the second boat that was built - the first boat and the mold were built by Kondo Syokai Marine from money raised by the Rotary Club of Aldershot (see here), who have now applied for a Matching Grant from Rotary Foundation to build up to 10 additional boats for delivery later in the year.
The first boat was named IONA after the 12 year old daughter of Lt Col Alan Flavel who raised nearly 200 sterling herself by making and selling arts and crafts.
There is no doubt that this was one of the most outstanding Adventure Training Exercises ever. Not only was it physically challenging - building a 29' fully framed and decked FRP fishing vessel in 2 weeks in March in India is very hard going - but the outcome, the hand over of a complete vessel to a fishing village in Tamil Nadu, is a tribute to all those involved.
Report in the Malayalam Manorama - the kindness that came across the sea
Report in the Hindu - from the UK on a mission
Report in the Kochi City Express - from the British Navy with Love
PXR Annex C, Donation of the Completed Fishing Boat
For Aldershot Rotary Club:
Lt. Col. Ian Joiner
Email: ian.joiner(at)btopenworld.com
For Defence Academy UK:
Sqn Ldr P W ANDERSON
Email: panderson.rmcs(at)defenceacademy.mod.uk
For Kondo Syokai:
Dr John Crabtree
Email: john(at)kondosyokai.com
Kondo Syokai - Special Projects Division
Replacement Boats for the Fishermen of Tamil Nadu and Kerala - Kondo Syokai and Rotary
