Photo credit - David Ford
The 30 foot (9 m) wooden vessel is a full-size replica of the longboat one which carried survivors of the Dutch trading ship Batavia, after it was wrecked on a reef in the Abrolhos islands in 1629.
Dean Wellman, Assistant Superintendent of Offender Services at Greenough Prison says the boat restoration is a significant project for the prisoners and Geraldton.
“The longboat’s build was community-driven. So helping to restore it is a way for the prisoners to give back to the community.
“At the same time they’re learning woodworking skills like sanding, repairing floor timbers and seats, the sort of training which would help them find a job after prison,” Assistant Superintendent Wellman said.
Volunteers from the Batavia Coast Replica Boat Association sail the replica longboat, taking tourists and school kids on cruises in the harbour.
Now 20 years old, it had become weather-worn and was showing signs of wear and tear.
The Association’s Brian Thorne is grateful for the prisoners’ contribution.
“We run on donations and as a volunteer organisation, it would’ve just been me and a couple of guys doing the work. Without the prisoners, the restoration would’ve taken a really long time.”
“They worked really hard and were so impressive especially when it got to 42 degrees on some days,” Mr Thorne said.
The longboat played a central role in saving many of the 300 passengers on the Batavia.
The ship’s Commander, together with 50 people and meagre supplies, set off in the cramped longboat to look for help, leaving the other survivors on an island.
They sailed nearly 3000 kilometres across treacherous open sea, reaching the south coast of Java one month later.
While they were gone, mutineers murdered 115 passengers, women and children included, to get their hands on the silver coins and jewels which the Batavia was carrying.
The episode is recognised as one of the most horrific incidents in Australian maritime history.
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