Life raft takes top prize

By ALAN PERROTT

An ocean sailor's worst nightmare may be eased by Leon Oliver's childhood daydreams as he gazed at the yacht club across from his Thames home.

The Massey University student has developed a remote-controlled raft that could prove a lifesaver for sailors tossed overboard in the vast emptiness of the high seas.

"I watched everything that happened at that yacht club for years and years," said the 25-year-old. "So it seemed a natural progression to get involved with sailing and the marine industry."

His invention, called the Sentinel, won top prize in the fourth annual Dyson Product Design Award announced in Mt Eden last night.

"Usually there is no one to see or hear you when you fall over board and the nearest help can be 24 hours away," said Mr Oliver. "So the best way to get help is to do it yourself."

His concept revolves around a modified watch worn by each crew member. It features a button to activate a raft contained in a small pod on the stern.

Once activated, the raft bursts out into the water and inflates while an alarm sounds to alert the rest of the crew and a direction locator beacon lights up to help lead the boat back to the lost sailor.

Mr Oliver hopes the Sentinel may go into production with a variety of models to cover different needs.

He estimated his present design would probably cost between $3000 and $4000, "but then this would be the top-end model".

Mr Oliver's prize includs a trip to Britain with $3000 and the opportunity to meet key British designers.

The other award finalist was Helena Webster, 23, a Christchurch student. Her design was a kit containing a talking book, earphones, scanner and recharger which make reading and mobility tasks easier for people with sight problems.