The Trybrid Project

The long term use for the Trybrid, is in fast response, post disaster aid work. Accordingly, part of the team linked to the Trybrid will be from the logistical support side of aid work groups, and also from volunteer groups. As the climate changes, we are regularly seeing an acceleration of extreme weather occurrences. The Boxing Day Tsunami, and a series of intense cyclonic and seismic events over recent years have set the scene for the future. More and more, neo-military operations are what have been at the front line of recovery operations, where it is often the first and best equipped teams that have had the most beneficial impact on the suffering along the third world coastlines.

Whilst detailed talks with aid groups are not sophisticated, the preliminary work and involvement with Australian Foundation for the Peoples of Asia and the Pacific , or AFAP, has roots shared by Trybrid Project Manager, Rod Davis and AFAP stemming back to Sri Lanka’s tsunami recovery through projects, for example, at Talalla Beach on Sri Lanka’s southern tip.
AFAP’s Financial & Systems Manager, Christine Carberry, at first pass, had this to say, “fabulous idea – I have just returned from the Solomon Islands where our Pacific Project Manager discussed with me the need to have a multipurpose boat to get to communities in so many of the islands there. So I see that this type of boat would be useful in so many situations and look forward to seeing it develop.”

Luke Johnson, the AFAP manager in the Solomon’s and Vanuatu had this to say, “In Solomon’s we had discussions with the National Disaster Management Office about the good sense in using boats as working platforms in island countries – our rough concept with them was to have one of our portable low power FM transmitters mounted on board (linked with sat comms too of course) that could be used as a focal communications and public information broadcast point parked up at a disaster zone.” Happily, the Trybrid will infact carries an FM radio transmitter, mikes, mixing desk, computer with Wavestation enabled software and pre-prepared content, along with the expertise to operate it.

AFAP’s many years of experience, its accountability and logistical experience, all seem to point to their likely eventual involvement in this project.
The charities are not being asked to pay for the boats construction, but rather, provide the aid resources if and when a disaster strikes. On islands and areas where there are no airstrips or highways, a boat that could get there quickly, establish a beach head, fold out clinics and workshops, then provide desalination and power is indeed a unique and useful idea. If the idea works, it may be that this Trybrid is the first of many to follow.
A complementary side to the logistical preparedness, has logically led to the door of the Surfrider Foundation and SurfAid International .
The synergy between a love of the ocean, a love of the environment, and a desire to alleviate human suffering, forms an instant practical link between the Trybrid project and the volunteer support that the worlds surfing community can bring to a project like this.

Surfrider’s Geoff Withycombe had this to say about the initial Trybrid ideas, “The plan sounds great and Surfrider Foundation Australia will no doubt support your efforts all the way – assisting to raise money and of course when operational assisting wherever possible with relief efforts and engaging other supporters. (Just FYI we (SFA) also assisted with the relief effort in Ache supporting (via our tax deduction status) to raise money for a local group (including a few Aussie) to build an orphanage, a few houses and some shops)
Please keep me informed – I’m happy to meet if you think of value at this stage
Also if you are ever looking for a hard working deck hand – you have my contacts !! All the best ! Geoff ”.
In aid work application of the Trybrid project needs to be tested to be understood. Does a vessel that is swift, inexpensive to run, and capable of setting up as a mobile beach head, desalination plant and a clinic exist?…the answer is no. But this may be about to change, with support.