A Sealegs amphibious Rescue Boat was donated by Avenport Investment group and Samoa Artesian Water to assist during natural disasters where response time is critical.
The $182,000 boat was presented to the Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, at the Apia Harbour last week.
Eric Series, the Chairman of Avenport and Sealegs said the boat is a way for the company to give back to Samoa.
“Giving back to the community is the focus of this donation,” he said.
“Samoa like a lot of small islands are facing the risk of tsunamis and flooding. Sealegs amphibious boat is the only answer to fast and efficient action to save lives.”
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Mr. Series handed over the boat’s keys to the Prime Minister after test driving the boat both on water and on land.
The boat is the latest model in amphibious rescue boats from the New Zealand based company.
Mr. Series says this was his company’s way of offering help to the government and the people of Samoa.
The presentation of the Sealegs was co-ordinated in time with Samoa hosting a successful S.I.D.S Conference where climate change and its effects was one of the pressing issues.
Sealegs co-founder, David McKee Wright, who attended the event said: “ Sealegs has existing flood rescue boats in Malaysia, Indonesia,
Mauritius and the Seychelles. The presentation in Samoa at SIDS was a perfect example of how the private sector can supply solutions to local government through partnership.”
Prime Tuilaepa acknowledged the potential of Sealegs in Samoa and the kind assistance of Avenport Investment Group and Samoa Artesian Water.
He also emphasized the importance of partnerships between government and private sector when discussing the emergency response and climate change during the S.I.D.S Conference
“Today’s hand over is a good demonstration of partnership between not only for S.I.D.S countries, but between Government and private sector,” he said.
Samoa Artesian Water was the official provider of bottled water at the S.I.D.S Conference at Tuanaimato this week. Avenport Investment is a family owned company from Mauritius.
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