| Australian Geographic Society (www.australiangeographic.com.au) |
I am very proud to be a member of the Society. It supports and helps so many environmental projects and adventurers like myself by offering sponsorship. The Australian Geographic Journal offers exposure and coverage for these projects, and its existence gives encouragement for members to continue the progress of such events.
The Society has granted me a substantial sponsorship and is in full support of my venture. From the onset this has boosted my confidence and standing, and I am very grateful. I highly recommend anybody to become a member of this Society.
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| Ace Communications WA(www.acecom.com.au) |
My thanks to Tony from Ace Communications WA. He has put his intelligent battery management system onto my boat. This system has been successfully used in four-wheel drives and Tony is trialling it on my vessel. The Dualmate System means I don't have to constantly monitor the two battery levels and physically change over using the switch. I'm sure it will prove invaluable. Tony has also put many hours into helping me with other electrical items on my boat. Thanks Tony!
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| Air North (www.airnorth.com.au) |
I would like to thank Air North who got behind me in a difficult time. The rioting caused me to forego sailing up to Dili, Timor. Air North helped arrange flights instead, which unfortunately I had to cancel as well after the rioting escalated and the shipment of wheelchairs was cancelled. But many thanks to Air North for their generosity.
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| Allyacht Spars Australia (www.allyachtspars.com.au) |
Many thanks to Allyacht Spars for getting on board and giving me very good discounts on rope clutches and winches.
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| Almasts (www.almasts.com.au) |
My heartfelt thanks to Mitch Ranson for believing in me and this sailing project. I have sailed 3000 miles to date in my 26-foot Folkboat. I have been in 35+ knot winds and 5 knot winds and I have never at any point had a problem with the two roller furling systems that Almast supplied to me. I am a paraplegic sailing on a small craft in a big ocean so the ability to reef in my sails promptly is very important. Almast furlers have never let me down. Thanks Mitch!
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| BLA Boating's Leading Accessories (www.bla.com.au) |
My heartfelt thanks to BLA for supplying me with the very essential wet weather jacket and trousers from their offshore range.
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| Boating Hardware Pro Sail (www.boatinghardware.com) |
Boating Hardware Pro Sail is the Perth-based chandlery company who has offered assistance and advice to my sailing project in its earliest days of evolution.
Lynne Davies has been a great help to me in sourcing material and sponsorship. Chris Gaudet and his staff of Louis Suriano and Peter Breukel, with over 25 yrs of boating hardware and blue water cruising experience, are invaluable to my project in regards to advice and help. I highly recommend the team to boat owners.
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| Challenge Stadium (www.challengestadium.wa.gov.au) |
The stadium has become a second home for me, as I spend most weeknights in its pool and gym. As a 45 year-old paraplegic who plans to take a 26-foot boat to sea and sail over 15000 kilometres, fitness is a top priority. I had been a member of Challenge Stadium for a period of time before I conceived this trip, and once I was committed, I approached the centre's manager, Mr. Robert Verboon. Robert did not hesitate to approve sponsorship to help me get my fitness level to the level I will require for this voyage. The service staff has always been more than helpful in assisting me, especially Gary, the aquatic supervisor, who has coached my swim stroke to a level that allows me to comfortably swim over three kilometres a week. I recommend that more disabled people take advantage of these facilities and their friendly and professional staff to get fit.
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| Chameleon Creative (www.chameleoncreative.com.au) |
My nephew, Haydn Boschetti, provided the graphics for my website and introduced me to Patrick, one of the directors of Chameleon Creative. Upon hearing about my intentions to do this trip, Patrick offered to assist. He has helped by covering some of the costs I have incurred as well as some of the graphic work. Many thanks.
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| Costing and Logistics Systems (www.coslog.com) |
My heartfelt thanks goes out to Norman Pater for sponsoring me the new mainsail I need for this trip, and also for the help and encouragement he has given me as a friend. Norman put his hand up to help before I had even obtained the boat, and has been steadfast in his support.
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| Exmouth Steel / Gulf Marine |
I am very grateful to Peter and Vicky Eves from Exmouth Steel and Gulf Marine for the hospitality and kindness they’ve extended to me while I’ve been delayed in Exmouth. Peter put in a lot of effort adapting my anchoring system so that I can now retrieve and drop my anchor completely from the cockpit. As anchoring is going to be pretty essential from now on, this means that the trip ahead of me is more feasible. I am also very grateful for the hospitality that Exmouth yacht club has extended to me.
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| Extreme Sails and Canvas (extremesails@optusnet.com.au) |
My thanks to the two sail makers from Extreme Sail And Canvas, Karl and Dave, for supporting me with my venture. They created the many items I have had to customise out of canvas. They have been great to work with and easy to work out some of the tricky items I have had to have fashioned for this trip.
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| Fibreglass Resin and Sales (www.fibreglass-resin-sales.com.au) |
Mr Charlie Urwin, Managing Director of Fibreglass Resin and Sales, was one of the very first people I approached for sponsorship. Upon learning my objective, he did not hesitate to offer assistance in the form of the fibreglass and epoxy materials I needed in the adaptation of my vessel for the voyage. Charlie's response and his continuing support have really helped to get this project off the ground. My heartfelt thanks go out to him and his team, and I highly recommend any person to make use of his service, products and knowledge.
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| Fleming Self Steering Systems (www.flemingselfsteer.com) |
Not only have Kevin and Denise donated me a global minor self-steering system, but they also spent two days while on a visit to Perth, WA going over the system and mounting adjustments with me. The self-steering system will be sold after the trip with proceeds going directly into making some wheelchairs for children through the charity. Thanks guys! Winston, my windvane will give me the rest I will need to complete the 20,000-kilometre journey.
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| Global Gypsies (www.globalgypsies.com.au) |
My heartfelt thanks go to Jan Barrie from Global Gypsies who stepped in to take over the responsibility of getting my media launch organised. She also did public relations work prior to my departure - a job that I had to neglect due to my huge workload in preparing the vessel for departure. It is very important for the goal of getting these kids out of the dirt and into wheelchairs that the public know when and why I am doing this trip. Big thanks Jan!
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| Globetrotter Corporate Travel (www.globetrotter.com.au) |
I thank John Battley and his travel company for helping with the air travel I have had to undertake. Without help from people like John I would never be able to make this dream of mine come true. Thanks John and Alison!
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| Good Life Medical - (goodlifemedical@arach.net.au) |
My thanks go to Mandy Bonavita from Good Life Medical, who helped with the cost of a new Quickie Titanium Wheelchair. Sadly the constant salt air and water conditions my old trusty is exposed to on my sail around Australia has caused it to corrode. Once I hit land, my sails become useless and my wheelchair takes over. Thanks Mandy.
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| Mainpeak Australia (www.mainpeak.com.au) |
Amongst many important items one has to consider and plan for on a trip of this nature is the right clothing and survival gear. When I am down in the Southern Ocean, even though it will be in the beginning of summer, the temperature will be cold. The risk of losing thermal heat and becoming exposed to hyperthermia is not something I have taken lightly. Richard Lushey of Mainpeak Australia has offered his support in outfitting me with appropriate thermal clothing and various other items. Dry hands dry feet are so important. Mainpeak specialises in extreme outdoor sports, stocks the appropriate clothing and equipment. Thanks Richard!
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| MOBi-lert (www.mobilert.com) |
Going overboard is the last thing that I want to be trying out, but if the occasion arises, I will have the added peace of mind and essential equipment thanks to MOBi-lert. John Smith of MOBi-lert has offered me his man overboard system, which consists of a pendant that's worn at all times when in the cockpit and on deck. Combined with my tracking system, this will alert a 24-hour monitored watch room of my dilemma. My thanks to John and MOBi-lert for coming onside.
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| Navionics (www.navionics.com) |
Navigation is a very important part of sailing offshore at sea. Being single-handed most of the time I depend totally on having reliable navigation information. I sail using a combination of hand held navigation techniques and modern electronic navigation aids. Gary Linacre at Navionics very kindly lent me a set of electronic charts to cover the entire area of my voyage. I have never had a problem to date with these electronic charts and I have sailed mostly single-handedly up the west coast of Australia and through the Kimberley region to Darwin. Any sailor will agree you need reliable navigation to achieve this. Thanks Gary and Navionics!
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| Netpaver eBusiness Solutions (www.netpaver.com.au) |
I had the very good fortune to meet with Tracy Patzner, who offered an introduction to the staff at Netpaver. At the time I was anxious to try and get more exposure of my project and its purpose through the medium of a website. I met with Rob Hills to outline my project, and Netpaver offered to pay for the domain name and hosting of the website on my behalf. Tracy then took on the task of facilitating this and creating the site, and I say this with gratitude, that she has taken on this task with gusto, always replying promptly to my many request's and questions, and I am extremely grateful for her support. A special thanks to Tracy for all the work she has put in to get this site functional.
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| Network Video Claremont (www.claremont.networkvideo.com.au) |
I am very grateful to Tony at Network Video Claremont, who very kindly got behind me and supported me. Both he and his manager, Scott, are always keen to find out how my trip is progressing. Tony is also a volunteer and supporter of the Fremantle Volunteer Sea Rescue Group. As a disabled, mostly lone sailor, Sea Rescue Groups are at the top of my list for peace of mind at sea. They do a great and essential job. (www.freosearescue.org.au)
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| Omnistar DGPS Services (www.omnistar.com.au) |
My thanks to Lindsay and Carla for sitting down with me and upon hearing of my voyage, offering the services of a tracking system. The system will be linked to my website and will give a three-hourly updated of my position, linked into a log that I will update every day. This allows me a 24-hour watch to verify my position and the fact that I am safe. Together with my man overboard system, this creates very safe sailing environment, which is the type of peace of mind that money cannot buy. Thank you.
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| OUTbacker Communications (www.outbacker.com.au) |
Communication at sea is vital and Terry Clinch from Outbacker Communications has kindly loaned me these very essential pieces of equipment for the duration of my trip around Australia. Terry has been easy to work with and once he heard why I was doing this trip, he didn't hesitate to offer me assistance. I can now set off with the reassurance of radio communication which will relieve the loneliness of the solo sailor and give that much needed insurance I need.
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| Power Dive (www.powerdive.com) |
My thanks to Power Dive for supplying me with the very important batteries and for supporting me in this venture.
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| Rainbow Power Company (www.rpc.com.au) |
Thank you to Dave Lambert from Rainbow Power for supplying a solar panel at a very affordable price. Dave was knowledgeable and very easy to work with on this power issue.
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| Raymarine Marine Electronics (www.raymarine.com) |
My thanks to Raymarine for supporting me with substantial discounts on much needed equipment: my auto helm, chart plotter, and wind instruments.
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| RFD Marine and Aerospace Systems (www.rfd.com.au) |
Thank you to Emma Forbes, Western Australian sales manager for RFD, for providing me a life raft and EPIRB at an affordable price. This equipment is vital, as I cannot leave the harbour without them. RFD Australia has also kindly donated flares and a personal lifejacket for my trip. As with the radios and other safety equipment, this will give me the safety and reassurance I need in order to complete this trip.
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| Ronstan Marine & Marlow Ropes (www.ronstan.com) & (www.marlowropes.com) |
Mr Tony Lynn from Ronstan Western Australia went to the trouble of organising me good discounts on deck fittings. He also arranged a
decent amount of free cordage (sheets and halyards) from Marlow Ropes for me as Ronstan is the agent for Marlow here in W.A. Tony also
went to the trouble of coming to my boat and spent some time going over the fittings and the best scenario. I would like to thank Tony
and Ronstan and Marlow for getting involved in this project.
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| Royal Perth Yacht Club (www.rpyc.com.au) |
Royal Perth Yacht Club has supported me in this venture from early in its conception. They have provided me with assistance in moving the boat and placing it on a stand from which I can work on it. But more than that, I believe they will be behind me as a club in this venture. Royal Perth Yacht Club has good standing, and will help in the introductions I will need to other yacht clubs on my way around Australia. I am very grateful for the club's support, and would like to point out that the club has been supporting disabled sailing and sailors for a number of years. Without the club and its member's support, I don't believe that disabled sailing would be at the level that it is in Western Australia. Thank you Royal Perth.
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| RWB Marine (www.rwbmarine.com.au) |
My thanks to Bob Basham and RWB Marine for getting on board early in the picture and sponsoring me by providing some important pieces of equipment: compass, manual pumps, etc. Bob was very responsive and prompt as soon as I told him of my plans. Thank you Bob and RWB Marine for the support.
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| Signman (www.signman.com.au) |
My thanks to Tony, Vicki, and crew for coming on board and sponsoring me with the signage for the boat. They've also provided the all-important banner that I'll fly out there while I am doing this voyage. Thanks Tony!
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| Taskers Sails and Spars (www.taskers.com.au) |
I have been very happy in my dealings with Steve and Peter at Taskers Sails and Spars. I am very grateful for the discounted price Taskers gave me for doing the sails and the rigging, being an extremely important part of this trip. The sails are a priority and I need the reassurance of a strong rig.
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| Trident Insurance Group(www.tridentinsurance.com.au) |
My heartfelt thanks to Brett Hamilton of Trident Insurance Group who came to my aid at the final moments before my departure to insure my boat and equipment for the voyage. This help was most important, as most marinas won't allow you to enter without insurance. Thanks for assisting in this matter, Brett.
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| Turtle Pac Tanks (turtlepac@yahoo.com.au) |
Fuel and water are very important items on a long sea passage. I have very little spare space on my small boat, so using flexible tanks makes this possible. My heartfelt thanks to Laszlo Torok for coming to my assistance in this matter. I must add that Laszlo has always taken a keen interest in my projection and has been great to work with.
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| West Coast Fasteners (wwestco2@bigpond.net.au) |
My heartfelt thanks goes to Michael Sultanowsky for assisting me with a steady supply of stainless bolts, nuts, and screws throughout the refit of Gypsy Rose. Mike very generously assisted me in getting some equipment for the boast and plays an active role in the Wheelchairs for Kids project. Thanks Mike!
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