Boat Restoration Project
Former Royal Australian Navy Leading Seaman Tim Bowers (Underwater Weapons Technician and Ship Defence Diver) served in the Arabian Gulf in 1982. During operational exercises while on RAN service he sustained injuries to his head and spine.
After many years suffering from depression and extreme mood swings, Tim was eventually diagnosed with PTSD.
Around 10 years since that diagnosis, with proper treatment and medication for his depression, and regular visits to a physiotherapist and chiropractor to address his head, neck and back injuries, Tim is doing much better.
With improving health, Tim decided to take on a project that would both raise awareness of the detrimental effects of PTSD suffered by naval personnel and provide an interest for some fellow veterans.
In January 2020, Tim was browsing FB Marketplace ads when he found a listing for a salvaged 43ft steel-hulled sailing sloop, called Breezn, which was sitting in a boatyard. After inspecting the barnacle covered vessel, Tim knew he had found what he was seeking, and started the Veterans with PTSD Suicide Prevention boat restoration project.
Tim bought the wreck for $5,900 and had it transported to his home in Upper Coomera, where a very understanding wife watched it being placed in their yard.
Renaming the vessel as Navy Dayz, Tim and fellow veterans began the restoration, filming each stage of the process for their YouTube channel, Sailing Navy Dayz.
Two years later, the sloop has been relocated to a hardstand at Gold Coast City Marina (a proud sponsor) to access more specialised trades. It will eventually acquire a permanent berth at GCCM.
A Volvo Penta TMD22 75HP motor which Rob (Marine Mechanical Solutions) has been rebuilding is soon to be fitted but, meanwhile, the project desperately needs a marine electronics supplier to provide Victron inverters and a 7 kW generator – and is hoping to find an electrical systems technician to voluntarily assist with the installation.
After the electrics and hydraulics have been completed, the project will need generous firms and tradies to help with the remainder of the restoration: cabinetry, galley fitout, soft furnishings, rigging, sails, a lifeboat, and life jackets!
The self-funded project relies heavily on donations and goodwill from businesses and individuals in the community, supplemented by sales of bespoke polo shirts and replica RAN warships. Tim has personally committed nearly all his superannuation and savings.
As an accredited not-for-profit charity organisation all donations are tax deductible.
All sponsors will have their company logo displayed permanently on the boat’s cabin and on the credits at the end of each YouTube video.
Once the rebuild has been completed, Tim and the team plan to take veterans on trips to various destinations along the Queensland seaboard, such as Tangalooma Wrecks on Moreton Bay, with suitable publicity.
The attention that this project deserves will go a long way to further awareness of the need for strategies to address the issue of suicide prevention for veterans.
More information can be found on the Facebook page, www.facebook.com/NavyDayzTim
You can contact Tim by email, svnavydayz@gmail.com
Published in print July-September 2023
