Rye Harbour Sailability has taken delivery of a Coulam Wheelyboat V17, a specially designed powerboat that allows wheelchair-users and those with limited mobility to safely and easily have access to sailing at Rye Harbour.
The new Wheelyboat, the first in East Sussex, will significantly broaden the charity’s reach, enabling even more people with additional support needs to have access to sailing and making boating truly accessible for all.
Caroline Wylson, President of Rye Harbour Sailability said, “We are absolutely delighted to add a Wheelyboat to our sailing fleet. It has always been challenging to fully support our members who are wheelchair users and those who aren’t so confident in a sailing dinghy, but that is no longer the case. We are immensely grateful to all those who have helped us raise the funds necessary to purchase the Wheelyboat.”
Donors include: National Lottery Community Fund, Sport England, People’s Postcode Lottery, Little Cheyne Court Wind Farm Fund at Sussex Community Foundation, Bruce Wake Trust, Chalk Cliff Trust, Nuclear Restoration Services, Barchester Charitable Foundation, The Worshipful Company of Wheelwrights, Rye Town Council, Christopher Rowbotham Charitable Trust, Rural Past Times, Mrs A Lacy Tate Trust and EPS Design Ltd.
Harbour Sailability
The vessel features a watertight hydraulic bow door that lowers to form a ramp, allowing safe and dignified boarding from a slipway. The design enables wheelchair users to roll straight onboard without transferring to another position.
The charity’s services are available to people with autism, cerebral palsy, learning difficulties, special educational needs, dementia and those requiring additional physical or mental health support.
Final preparations are now underway for the official naming ceremony of the new Wheelyboat this May. Following the ceremony, the boat will make its first outing with our sailors in June.
For more information
info@ryeharboursailability.org
@ryeharboursailability
www.ryeharboursailability.org
Image Credits: Caroline Wylson, .