Blind sailors

[Garold]

In Yarmouth last night the ferry car park was busy. I noticed four blind people trying to make their way across the lines of traffic so I offered some help to get across the car park, and chatted for a moment. It was short because they only wanted directions to the pub, and then they were off.

Anyway, this morning I noticed that the group are all off a UKSA sailing boat moored on an adjacent pontoon.

And it made me ponder. A few things really.

UKSA clearly do a great job of getting a wider range of people onto the water.

I can hear a lot of laughter coming from that boat/pontoon and the people on board all seem supportive helping each other on/off along the pontoon.

I've not heard them complain about the weather.

I just tried getting off my little motor boat with my eyes shut and it's really difficult. And they're on a sailing boat with all sorts of ropes, winches and other traps for the unwary. Must be tricky.

It makes me think, that boating should be made available for everyone, and perhaps the size of your aft cabin/ the weather/ tripping up over your own stern line when disembarking doesn't matter so much.

Garold

 

[epervier]

Two years ago in Japan, http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthrea...rboaty-but-I-think-deserves-a-slot&highlight=

 

[pks1702]

These do an annual cruise for visually impaired (note the PC wording )

http://www.east-anglian-sailing-trust.org.uk/index.php?pageid=23

 

[Lloydroberts]

These do an annual cruise for visually impaired (note the PC wording )

http://www.east-anglian-sailing-trust.org.uk/index.php?pageid=23

Thanks for the link, that is very interesting. My cousin has an interest in sailing, not only is he visually impaired he is also as blind as a bat.

 

[pks1702]

Thanks for the link, that is very interesting. My cousin has an interest in sailing, not only is he visually impaired he is also as blind as a bat.

:encouragement:

 

[prv]

Sophie19 over on the sailyboat forum (aka Steve - Sophie was the name of a previous boat) is blind or nearly so - takes his guide dog out on the boat with him

(Usually also a human lookout, the colregs not being part of standard Guide Dogs training )

Pete

 

[Uricanejack]

I know of several active disabled sailing associations. I am sure many people with a variety of disabilities enjoy the opportunity to go sailing. I think it depends how they feel about their abilities. Things they can do rather than things they can't
Some time ago I met a consultant who was an excellent speaker, He became a consultant after having lost his sight in an industrial accident. Much of his story was about how he had learned to cope with ordinary life's challenges without sight. The main emphasis was on avoiding getting hurt, which could be quite a for even the most simple task when you can't see,