The 48-feet auxiliary sailing yacht, the Pride of Mann III, arrived in Ardglass marina last weekend on one its occasional visits.
Based in the Isle of Mann at Douglas, this Sailing for the Disabled vessel is a state-of-the-art project. It is a Benateau Oceanus 48 specially customised to accommodate disabled wheelchair users.
Roy Maddrell, vice chairman of the charity group which formed back in 1984, said: “People who come aboard for a trip are given every opportunity to get involved in the sailing of the yacht. Or, if they wish, they can just sit back and enjoy the sail and let the other volunteers do the chores. We also take out school and youth groups. We can take up to 14 people on a sail.
“Fundamentally we believe that disability should not be a barrier for getting people out on to the water, and with the full support of our able bodied members, they can enjoy the full experience of the Pride of Mann III in full sail. So people with disability issues including wheelchair users, are accommodated.
“The adaptions we have made to the yacht are significant as they allow the disabled people to participate during a sail. The special adaptions include a movable cockpit table to create more space, and we have a lift platform to allow wheelchair users to get down below into the cabin and their berths and toilet.
“Also, we have a stern boarding ramp which allows us to push wheelchairs straight on to the deck area comfortably. The Pride of Mann III is very well finished off with its ten berths and three toilets. The cockpit itself is well sheltered from the weather and sea by a cover, and she has excellent electronic navigational and safety equipment.”
Julie, who is one of the disabled crew members for the weekend, said: “This is a great way to make friends. The organisers are absolutely brilliant and I’ve been out with them several times.
“I like coming to Ardglass, and I really am impressed with their new toilet and shower block and disabled showers at Ardglass marina. It is a huge improvement as to what was there before. We find the staff at the marina in Ardglass very obliging and helpful and that is a plus.
“The able bodied members on the sail are just brilliant. They really provide great support to us less able people. To go for a sail you don’t need any special experience in sailing or being on a boat. You can just come along and take part. It is a super experience, especially when the weather is at its best. It is just great to watch the volunteers taking turns at steering the yacht. It is an uplifting experience. They can do this whatever ability level they are at.”
The Pride of Mann III sailing project is funded through the voluntary effort of its members. They have flag days, do bag packs, and run a variety of fundraising events and generally support the organisation which receives no grant money or public funding.
Arne Dahn, one of the core volunteers, explained: “The Pride of Mann III cost around £350,000 to complete when it was built. We had a couple of other vessels before this but our new yacht is an absolutely brilliant motor yacht allowing a good mix of volunteers and members to go on a pleasure sail. We tend to travel around the Irish Sea but when the boat was built in 2014, we took her to the Southampton boat show where to show her off.
“We do all the work on the yacht ourselves as much as possible. We do have to set aside a sum of money each year for depreciation as in the future the Pride of Mann III will eventually need to be replaced. So our financial planning is well organised.
“There is an excellent corporate and business plan for companies and organisations to get involved in supporting us. To come for a sail just cost the members £10, but a corporate member joins from £100 annually. We also do team building days which also helps the fundraising effort.
“If anyone is interested, we can be contacted for membership on 07624471666 or email:
membership@manx.net
or for information about sailing, phone 07624471222 or email:Â
crewmaster@manx.net
(The Pride of Mann III is moored at Douglas marina in the inner harbour and can be accessed via the road leading to Douglas Bay Yacht Club.)
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Sailing for the Disabled – IOM
