New safety boat added to Dorset charity's fleet
Chesil Sailability have named their new vessel Juniper
A new safety boat for Dorset charity Chesil Sailability has had its naming ceremony.
Trustees, volunteers and sailors have watched the new vessel. Juniper, being officially welcomed at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy.
The 5.8m Ribcraft RIB has been bought through a 'very significant grant' from the Dorset Health Trust charity, along with some other smaller grants.
The Juniper name is in recognition of the support given to Dorset Health Trust's late Chairman John Greener, by his wife Juniper.
John Greener led the charity in creating Weldmar Hospicecare.
David Griffith, Chair of Chesil Sailability, said:
“We are very grateful to the Trustees of the Dorset Health Trust charity for their generous grant which has made it possible for us to purchase a new safety boat. Our previous main safety boat was taken out of service after many years just before the COVID pandemic as it was beyond repair.
"We have been fortunate to be able to borrow a safety boat from the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy each week over the last couple of years, but having a new boat which has been built specifically to meet our needs and with which our volunteer safety crew can become familiar and confident in, is the best way to ensure the safety of our sailors and volunteers."
Lavinia Barbour, Vice Chairman of the Dorset Health Trust said:
"The Dorset Health Trust is delighted to have been able to support the wonderful work undertaken by all the dedicated volunteers of Chesil Sailability. Their work to provide the ability for sailors with disabilities to take to the water is to be commended and this new safety boat will ensure they are able to continue and expand their amazing work."
Chesil Sailability aims to make sailing accessible to people with physical disabilities, long-term health conditions, learning difficulties and mental ill-health.
They have around 50 volunteers, who skipper boats, kit up sailors, hoist sailors into boats, maintain the boats, provide first aid, provide instruction and drive the safety boats.
Each year Chesil Sailability gives around 140 sailors and carers sailing experience on the waters of Portland Harbour in around 20-25 sessions.