Chesil Sailability making powerboating more accessible
The charity's got a new Wheelyboat named 'All Aboard'
A Dorset charity's unveiled a new vessel, aimed at making the sport of powerboating more accessible.
Chesil Sailability's officially named its new Wheelyboat 'All Aboard' during an event at Weymouth & Portland Sailing Academy.
The rigid hulled powerboat is fully wheelchair and disability accessible, and has been bought through a number of grants.
Hugh de Iongh, Chair of Chesil Sailability, said:
“We are very grateful to the Wheelyboat Trust for making the provision of a Wheelyboat for Chesil Sailability possible. We are very excited to be able to take disability groups out for journeys round Portland Harbour, adding an extra activity for individuals at our weekly sailing sessions, and especially enabling powerboat driver training for people with disabilities, particularly as the layout enables a wheelchair user to drive."
Tom Hepburn, Sailor and Trustee of Chesil Sailability, describes the difference this new boat will make:
“It means that we wheelchair-users, and those with limited mobility, can now experience & skipper a powerboat, as well as sailing with Chesil Sailability. This is a wonderful addition to the fleet that will now mean that me and many of our other sailors, can work towards obtaining a formal qualification under the RYA Powerability Scheme.
"Our new Wheelyboat, All-Aboard will mean that at Chesil Sailability we can get more people on the water including some carers who may not wish to go out on our sailing boats with the person they bring to our sessions. The addition of All-Aboard adds to the essence of what Chesil Sailability, RYA Sailability & Powerability is all about, allowing those who would not otherwise be able to do so, to get on the water and experience the joys and freedom that come with it.”
Paul Elgood, Development Director of the Wheelyboat Trust, said:
"It’s great to be with Chesil Sailability for the naming of the new Wheelyboat "All-Aboard" that will enable all Sailability members at their Portland base to access water-based activities regardless of disability. This is only the second V17 Wheelyboat in Dorset, so fills a huge gap in provision for disabled people.
"Wheelyboats provide a lifeline for anyone with a disability or mobility issues, as users can board safely and independently. Boating is also one of the few activities in which disabled and able-bodied people can participate on equal terms, which is something we celebrate every time a new boat is launched. A huge thank you goes to the fantastic team at Chesil Sailability, who have been tremendous to work with."
Chesil Sailability is entirely volunteer run, and has around 50 volunteers, who skipper boats, kit up sailors, hoist them into boats, maintain the boats, provide first aid cover, offer instruction and drive the safety boats.
Each year Chesil Sailability enables around 120 sailors and carers to experience the waters of Portland Harbour in around 20-25 trips in their boats.