‘Accessible To All’ Wheelyboat Delivered to Rye Harbour Sailability
East Sussex now has its first ever wheelchair-accessible power boat, as Rye Harbour Sailability takes 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 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.
Like every Wheelyboat, 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.
Rye Harbour Sailability is part of the national Royal Yachting Association’s (RYA) Sailability programme, which aims to remove barriers to sailing and boating for those people with disabilities. The addition of a Wheelyboat represents a major step forward in that mission.
Final preparations are now underway for the official naming ceremony of our new Wheelyboat this May. Following the ceremony, the boat will make its first outing with our sailors in June.
This marks a significant step in expanding accessible sailing opportunities and ensuring that more people can enjoy being on the water. We look forward to seeing the Wheelyboat in action with our sailors very soon.
