Our philosophy is to encourage all our sailors, with or without disabilities, to develop their sailing skills such that they eventually may, if they wish and are confident enough, become solo sailors and thus take complete personal control. For many, this personal responsibility is often the only time in their day-to-day lives when they are not dependent on their caring assistants for direct or in
direct support. We have hoists to enable people to be safely & gently transferred from a wheelchair to a boat. We have specialist Access dinghies that have been designed for people with disabilities, some of these enable those with the most limited mobility to sail using an electric servo assist system operated by either a wheelchair style joystick controller, a chin control or a sip & puff system. The servo system operates the ropes and rudder but the person still uses the wind for propulsion, reading the wind direction, setting the sails and carrying out the same manoeuvres as any sailing boat. These specialist Access dinghies ensure that sailors with a disability can experience true independence. For many people with disabilities driving a vehicle is not possible, consequently the freedom and independence gained when sailing autonomously can be a very fulfilling and liberating experience.
