Saving accessible sailing
End of the Jubilee Sailing Trust
I was sad to hear about the failure of the Jubilee Sailing Trust, which has provided so many disabled people with opportunities to experience the freedom and exhilaration of ocean sailing.
The Disabled Sailors Association (DSA), which currently offers 1,500 accessible sailing opportunities each year, is planning to step into the breach, with an additional 1,000 places, helping to ensure that no disabled sailor is left ashore.
Accessible sailing with unsustainable costs
JST’s closure, driven by its inability to sustain annual operational costs of £3 million (£4,000 per participant), has left thousands of disabled sailors without their cherished opportunities for ocean sailing.
The DSA is renowned for its 30 years of steadfast commitment to creating inclusive sailing experiences, having designed and built two custom-designed, wheelchair-accessible yachts. Now, with plans to expand its capacity by an additional 1,000 places, the DSA is set to surpass the services previously offered by JST and ensure that no disabled sailor is left ashore.
Collaboration with Plymouth-based yacht builder
To achieve this, the DSA has collaborated with Darren Newton at Multimarine Ltd in Plymouth to produce a state-of-the-art wide-bodied catamaran designed around a young person in a wheelchair.
Quips Mike Wood, Chairman of the DSA:
“If it’s easy for a wheelchair, it’s easy for anyone”
Expertise on accessible sailing
Darren and Multimarine are arguably the ‘subject matter experts’ on accessible ocean sailing, having already designed and built five such vessels for private individuals. Combined with the DSA’s experience of building its own two yachts and 30 years of providing sailing opportunities for disabled people, this initiative represents a paradigm shift in sailing for those who are often left as spectators.
Super efficient operating model
What makes the DSA unique is its highly efficient operational model. Unlike JST’s towering operational costs, the DSA runs its entire fleet, including purpose-built yachts and dinghies, on a budget that averages just £100 per participant annually. This lean approach ensures that participants are more than just passengers; they are active members of the crew, fully engaged in the thrill and teamwork of sailing.
The DSA’s fleet is designed for versatility, with all controls and accommodation accessible to all types of disability the shallow-draft yachts are capable of navigating not just open seas but also diverse coastal and inland waterways, expanding the horizons for disabled sailors and enhancing their access to varied, exciting and challenging sailing experiences.
A variety of accessible sailing experiences
High adventure sailing for disabled people is just part of the scene at the DSA, its day sailing in the Solent for schools and disabled day centres is excitement and fun for young disabled people and collaboration with 28 other charitable organisations such us the Gwennili Trust who provide for ex-military personnel amongst others, mean training cruises in the English Channel and real adventures taking in the Kiel Canal, Sweden’s archipelago and the Göta canal, Finland, Spain, Malta and Turkey.
So, while the closure of the Jubilee Sailing Trust marks a significant loss for the disabled sailing community, the DSA’s expansion offers renewed hope and continuity. The association is determined to provide all the activities that JST once offered and more, ensuring that the spirit of inclusive sailing lives on and grows stronger. With plans to promote sailing for disabled people with transatlantic sailing and attending a number of international boat shows, the future of ocean sailing for disabled sailors looks very good indeed.
Half of the necessary funds have already been raised, and construction is underway. To support this vital initiative or learn more, visit www.disabledsailing.org and explore the new video library.
Be the first to comment.