In a likely world first, Marine Rescue NSW has created a series of nine videos signed in AUSLAN for boaters who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Boating is a popular activity for Australians who are deaf or hard of hearing. These resources have been developed with the support of Deaf Australia to provide deaf and hard of hearing boaters and paddlers with resources in their own language.
The resources consist of nine videos signed in AUSLAN and transcripts in English.
The videos cover the following topics:
- Calling for help in an emergency
- Activating a distress beacon
- Dealing with a fire on a boat
- Logging on and Logging off
- Wearing a lifejacket
- Vessel maintenance
- How to use the Marine Rescue app
- Weather and sea conditions
Marine Rescue NSW acknowledges the contribution of Marine Rescue Jervis Bay volunteers Sean Sweeney and Tony Dagger. Both sign in AUSLAN and through their extensive links within the Deaf Community saw a need for this type of resource to increase safety for deaf and hard of hearing boaters and paddlers.
Each video is accompanied by a transcript in English and by useful links for more information, accessible here.
Included below is each of the AUSLAN videos.
