KATS Receive Custom Made Dinghy Donation!

Tony Heyliger of Tony’s Marine Refinishing Services and Miles Sutherland Pilch of Nanny Cay Resort & Marina donated a custom-made dinghy to the nonprofit organization Kids and the Sea (KATS). Tony made the rowboat himself from creating the mold to completion of the boat. Miles of Nanny Cay Resort & Marina donated space in the boatyard for building and supplies to build the boat continuing their longtime commitment to water safety and support of KATS.

This donation will help ensure the KATS Basic Sea Skills program continues for the next 30 years.  KATS is forever grateful to Nanny Cay and Tony’s Marine Refinishing.

KATS teaches young people Basic Sea Skills. Youth must first pass a swimming test before participating. They learn boat safety, how to row boats and knot tying skills. KATS teaches their lessons from the Marine Center at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College in Paraquita Bay, Tortola.

Many people learn to swim in the Nanny Cay Resort & Marina pool including but not limited to the Police Cadets; the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) Swimming and Life Raft Training and two eight-week youth swim programs held annually. Miles is passionate about water safety. “I ask all staff members if they can swim. If they cannot we provide swim lessons for them.”

“The red rowboat KATS was using for youth rowboat training was about thirty years old and took a real hammering in KATS Basic Sea Skills Summer Camp last season,” Miles said, “KATS approached us for help.”

Miles excitedly continued, “What is especially great about the KATS Basic Sea Skills program is its opportunity for progression. Last year’s youth learners helped teach this year’s youth learners. The earliest learners from years back are now running the program!”

Tony explains, “I was born swimming and boating in the St. Kitts seas. I came to the BVI in 1980 and opened my refinishing business in 1998. Most of my staff can swim and if they cannot they are given a life vest to wear when they are on the water or around the water.  We do refinishing, fabrication and major repair from hurricane damage. Water safety is important.”

Tony explained his process for making the rowboat. He first used the old battered red rowboat to make a two-piece rowboat mold that he bolted together. He then coated the mold with wax and laid a few millimeters of fiberglass over it. Next, he put in the Keel and stringers using treated wood (he said foam could also be used). When ready to pop the rowboat out of the mold the bolt was removed, and the two halves of the mold were taken off before the boat was finished. The mold was bolted back together – ready to be re-used to make another rowboat. Tony has a second mold to another custom boat design he has created that is also available for custom boat manufacturing.

Tony made a brand-new rowboat, and he repaired the good old faithful red rowboat with the help of Miles and Nanny Cay Resort & Marina. Fiberglass, resin, wood trim etc. were donated from the Chandlery.

28 June 2024 at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College Centre for Applied Maritime Studies in Paraquita Bay, Tortola at a brief ceremony the first of a new fleet of rowing boats for the KATS Basic Sea Skills program was launched and blessed by Dr. The Honorable Karl Dawson. KATS is forever grateful to Nanny Cay and Tony’s Marine Refinishing for ensuring the KATS Basic Sea Skills program continues for the next 30 years.

OPPORTUNITY TO HELP

The Marine Center identified two more rowboats (a yellow and a green boat) needing repair. This is an opportunity for any company or individual that would like to help the territory improve water safety and boating skills by funding the repair of these boats. Contact: +1 284-494-2830.