Disabled Sailors Association Steps Up After Jubilee Sailing Trust Closure
by Mike Wood, MBE, Chairman 21 Apr 20:50 NZST
Disabled Sailors Association © DSA
The Portsmouth based charity orders a £2 million catamaran
In a bold and compassionate response to the closure of the Jubilee Sailing Trust (JST), the Disabled Sailors Association (DSA) is rising to the challenge, stepping forward to fill the void left in the world of accessible sailing. JST's closure, driven by its inability to sustain annual operational costs of £3 million (£4,000 per participant), has left 1,000's of disabled sailors without their cherished opportunities to experience the freedom and empowerment of ocean sailing.
The DSA, renowned for its 30 years of steadfast commitment to creating inclusive sailing experiences, currently offers 1,500 accessible sailing opportunities each year through its two custom-designed, wheelchair-accessible yachts it designed and built and further 1,000 or so in its fleet of dinghies that it designed and built that cannot capsize or sink. 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.
To achieve this, the DSA has collaborated with Darren Newton OF Dazcat fame at Multimarine Ltd in Plymouth to produce a state-of-the-art wide-bodied catamaran designed around a young person in a wheelchair. "If it's easy for a wheelchair, it's easy for anyone," quips Mike Wood, Chairman of the DSA, a wheelchair user himself.
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.
Two things make the DSA absolutely unique, 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. Secondly the DSA can and does accept any type of disability in safety and comfort as all of its boats are purpose designed not modified standard models.
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.
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 as the Gwennili Trust who provide for ex-military personnel amongst others, mean training cruises in the English Channel and real adventures taking in the Keil Canal, Sweden's archipelago and the Gota 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 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 to promote sailing for disabled people with Trans-Atlantic sailing and attending a number of international boat shows the future of ocean sailing for disabled sailing looks very good indeed.
Half of the necessary funds have already been raised, and construction is under way and it is possible to launch in spring next year - will you help us?
To support this vital initiative or learn more, you can donate at www.justgiving.com/campaign/DSA and visit www.disabledsailing.org