****** CLICK HERE for an update on the Atlanta project (November 2009) ******
THE CARSINGTON SAILABILITY MIXED ABILITY OFFSHORE PROJECT PHASE 2
1. Ethos.
The purpose behind this project is to extend the horizons, literally, of people with disabilities who would not normally be able to undertake such an activity. The project would enable mixed ability crews to sail in safe waters at a minimal cost. Use of the boat would depend on the benefit to be gained by participants and the ‘range of ability’ of the crew. This could be made up by perhaps a regular crew of mixed ability but taking out people who they would know but not normally sail with. Or an able bodied crew taking out crew members with mixed abilities. The aims and objectives of the scheme is to promote offshore sailing to a wider range of disabilities either for enjoyment or more serious sailing by gaining experience towards RYA Certification. So, we are looking into the feasibility of stationing a small cruiser on suitably sheltered waters such as the east coast rivers, from the Deben to the Twizzle including the Stour, Orwell and Walton Backwaters. Therefore we are faced with the prospect of either trailing a boat to different venues for this activity or we must find the ways and the means of mooring or berthing a suitable craft within the scope of this safe sailing area, having the advantage of saving a great deal of time effort and expense on trailing, rigging, launching and recovery every time the boat is used.
2. East Coast Rivers.
An excellent cruising area being that much easier to reach than say the Solent or the west coast of Scotland. From Woodbridge in the north to Walton on the Naze in the south the area including the rivers Deben, Stour, Orwell and Twizzle offers a wide range of sailing experience, including the Walton Backwaters and Hamford Water. There are good and plentiful facilities and many places of interest. Should any severely disable person, not be able to sleep on board then the option would be to day sail and take up bed and breakfast accommodation on shore which is plentiful in this area. If day sailing is considered to be the best option then normally returning to the berth or mooring at the end of each day would be the procedure to adopt. However if the crew consists of just 2-3 then overnight stays at other marinas or moorings could be a pleasant alternative. Any extra mooring or marina fees would be the responsibility of the crew. It must be borne in mind that it would not always be possible to obtain a pontoon berth while cruising and access to the shoreside facilities will have to be done via the inflatable tender and will limit access for some disabilities
3.The Boat.
This was to be a Caprice 19 trailer sailer designed by Robert Tucker. The boat had been donated but was in need of a thorough re-fit including new sails. In view of the amount of money required a bid for funding to the National Lottery was made. Unfortunately due to current demand on lottery resources this was turned down and the scheme was on hold. Our disappointment was short lived however when we heard from a Dr Peter Davis of Whitby. He had heard of our scheme through RYA Sailability and that our application had been turned down. Due to ill health he was retiring from sailing and rather then sell his boat and add to his inheritance tax he decided he would rather give the boat away and we were to be the lucky recipients. The craft is a 26’ Fairey Atalanta, a classic boat designed by Uffa Fox and on inspection on the hard at Whitby revealed a whole load of equipment and fittings which had accrued over 26 years of sailing. It is equipped with navigational aids including log, depth, GPS, fixed and hand held VHF (VHF Restricted operators certificate is required to use this piece of equipment). Full sets of charts covering the east coast and all necessary plotting instruments. Rather that keep the boat at a yard or on a mooring over winter we decided to purchase a trailer so that cruising areas could be varied and the cost of storage could be minimised by bringing the boat back to Derbyshire at the end of each sailing season. Accommodation is 4 berths in two cabins separated by the centre cockpit. This would entail a maximum crew for sleeping aboard of 4 but with a roomy cockpit, day sailing could be carried out with say up to 6 people on board depending on mobility. The extra 2 taking up accommodation ashore in local B&B’s. This would also facilitate the use by more disabled participants. An inflatable tender with outboard will be available and there is a powerful diesel engine for inshore manoeuvrability and stemming a foul tide. Roller reefing will be fitted on jib and mainsail to allow for any change in wind speed or adverse weather conditions.
4. Length of use by each crew.
This by agreement but would suggest that a minimum of three days with two days travelling and a maximum of ten days with two days travelling allowing for any damage or shortages to make good prior to the next crew taking over.
5. Responsibilities.
It is the responsibility of the ‘crew’ to make every effort to maintain the integrity and condition of the boat. Any damage to be reported and made good if possible any losses or shortages to be also reported so that the boat is in fit condition for the take over by the next crew. CS responsibilities will be to insure the boat with up to £3,000,000 third party cover and maintain contact to ensure continuity of availability. Helms in whatever of the aforesaid categories must hold at least the RYA Coastal Skipper Certificate or be experienced to that standard. Assessments to confirm these abilities will be carried out at Carsington Sailing club in similar craft before taking over the Caprice can be agreed.
6. Safety Equipment.
The boat will be equipped with a minimum of three automatic inflatable lifejackets which work on immersion rather than action by the wearer. Also ‘Three Gibb’ lifelines will be used whilst working on deck. A hand held VHF marine band ship to shore radio will be on board but this can only be used by holders of a VHF (restricted) operators certificate. A dan buoy for marking the spot in the unlikely situation should anyone fall overboard be to hand as will throwing lines. Man overboard and recovery procedures will be practiced by crews before taking over the Caprice. Emergency flares and a first aid kit will also be on board.
7. Navigation Aids.
The boat will be fitted with depth, log and compass and will also have compass oriented binoculars. There will also be a hand held GPS and a full set of charts for the area in which the boat is to be sailed
Appendix I
This is an experimental effort for 2009/10 and if successful will be continued and possibly extended to other areas. A Drascombe Longboat Cruiser may be stationed within easy access to the Welsh coast for a limited period in 2009 to assess this area for similar attributes to this proposal but with perhaps less travelling time being involved. Also there is a possibility that Teliga 21 ‘Galatéa’ would also be available should the numbers require additional berths. Phase 1 of the scheme which entails using the Sailfish 565 ‘Bythelee’ to encourage people with disabilities to try sailing larger boats at Carsington, with a view to offshore participation will still be an important feature of our operation. Also in 2009 there will be an added incentive of joining in the Cruiser racing at Carsington which has a strong following and will improve close quarter boat handling skills. This will be done on ‘Watermouse’ another Sailfish 18 which is lighter and possibly faster than ‘Bythelee’ due to the latter being built to European standards and RCD specification using a much heavier build up and therefore being marginally slower.