These workshops are being delivered as part of a new project through the Torres Strait Marine Safety Program (TSMSP).
The TSMSP is a partnership between the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), Maritime Safety Queensland (MSQ), Torres Strait Regional Authority, Queensland Police Service and the National Maritime Safety Authority of Papua New Guinea, which aims to increase the safety and survival of people operating small boats in the region.
TSMSP Project Coordinator for AMSA, Shaun Skerritt, said the primary aim of the workshops was to enhance maritime safety for local school children through education, as well as providing life jackets to each student.
At the conclusion of the workshops in June 2015, almost 3,000 students will receive a lifejacket.
“There is significant reliance on seaborne transport in the Torres Strait and these workshops are designed to increase survivability of school children who may become involved in a marine incident,” Mr Skerritt said.
“These are the first of many workshops that will be rolled out to all schools throughout the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula area between now and June next year.
“The workshops are held for all ages from year one up to year 12,” he said.
The workshops involve the students identifying risks or dangers that may arise from boating in the Torres Strait and determining ways to minimise these risks, as well as familiarisation with marine safety equipment such as lifejackets.
The workshops are delivered by AMSA Indigenous Boating Safety Officer Uel Bani, Thursday Island Water Police Senior Constable Craig Cormie, and Tagai Land and Sea Curriculum Coordinator Tim Hiller with support by school staff.
“The level of marine safety consciousness among the students was extremely encouraging,” Mr Skerritt said.
“Elders and parents also attended on the day so key messages can be reinforced at home,” he said.
Marine safety education will continue after the workshop with a marine safety equipment educational kit provided to each school for further learning opportunities.
The workshops and lifejacket donations have been made possible through the TSMSP partners as well as Marlin Australia and Seaswift Shipping. The logistics of getting the lifejackets to some of Tagai State College’s outer island campuses were also supported by the school’s Vocational Educational and Training (VET) students as part of their Certificate II in Conservation and Land Management.