AWARD YEAR
2021
CATEGORY
Community
GOALS
Life Below Water
KEYWORDS
sea life, oceans, animal protection, Animal welfare, wildlife
COUNTRY
Switzerland
DESIGNED BY
Nicolà Borrer & Stefan Rauch
WEBSITE
https://www.jamesdysonaward.org/2020/project/whale-air-pontoon-saving-whales-with-equipment/
Whale Air Pontoon
Saving beached whales more effectively
Normal rescue services like fire brigades have the right equipment for every emergency. But when whales die slowly at beaches, people have to save them with buckets and towels. Many of the 2000 annual beachings end deadly because the rescuers are overwhelmed and not properly equipped. This realization motivated Nicolà Borrer and Stefan Rauch to develop a product to save beached whales.
Pilot whales fall to the side during the stranding. When the tide comes in, their breathing hole is under water, they can’t breathe and drown after only 15 minutes. WAP is placed on both sides of the whale, the mat is rolled out on the belly side and the pontoon on the back side is inflated. This will roll the whale onto its belly. The mat is connected to the inflated pontoon. The second pontoon is inflated and tightens everything to stabilize the whale. An inflatable tent protects the whales from the sun and wind.