Slow_boat
Well-Known Member
I met a forumite this summer who is something to do with sailing for the blind. Now I have met a blind person who wants to go sailing but I can't remember who the forumite is. Any takers?
Sailing for the blind
- Thread starter Slow_boat
- Start date
sailorman
Well-Known Member
the chap who owned Autohelm made earphones that emitted signals to enable the blind to steer a boat on a predetermined course
FWB
N/A
Don't know your location, but here at Mylor near Falmouth we have BATS...Blind At Sea
http://www.blindatsea.co.uk/about.html
http://www.blindatsea.co.uk/about.html
elton
Well-Known Member
Sophie19? http://www.theblindsailor.co.uk/
johnphilip
Well-Known Member
If on the East coast these really are the people to contact. Visually impaired sailing and cruising, a full programme with many opportunities . http://www.east-anglian-sailing-trust.org.uk/
NUTMEG
Well-Known Member
I know little about EAST or any other VI sailing charity but what little I know left me a bit cold. I have chatted with a couple of VI sailors about EAST and another group, I think based in the Solent. They tend to be very 'prescriptive' in their approach. They basically tell you what to do, where to sit and so on. There is very little of the true essence of sailing, which for me anyway, means freedom. Freedom to choose where to go, and how to get there. There is a fair bit of the 'does he take sugar' syndrome which I found repugnant in the extreme.
Visa-gb seem the only one that puts the VI people fully in the drivers seat, responsible for everything, passage planning sail trim and so on with a sighted person doing the obvious, keeping watch. They charter boats with a sighted skipper and do the rest. No patronising allowed!
Sorry if this seems a bit stroppy, just a personal point of view from a VI sailor.
Well meaning people who 'know best', really not my cup of tea.
johnphilip
Well-Known Member
I can see that if you already are an experienced sailor such an approach would be very annoying. However if you have a VI new to sailing they are hardly in a position to take the skippers role immediately, any more or less than a sighted beginner.
During any training I take your point that new sailors must be allowed to progress, take chances and make mistakes as the rest of us. It can be quite difficult to persuade volunteer instructors to let this happen rather than take over control. I used to find this an issue when organising dinghy training at my old club for sighted students.
PM also sent.
NUTMEG
Well-Known Member
Johnphillip, I just reread my post from yesterday and I think I came across grumpier than I intended. Strange how that can happen.
Thing I am getting curmudgeonly as I get older
Thing I am getting curmudgeonly as I get older
sailorman
Well-Known Member
i have just remembered the founder of Nautic / Autohelms name, Derek Fawcett he invented the audio compass to enable the blind to helm a course
snowleopard
Well-Known Member
Sailing for the blind can be tackled in many ways. On Lord Nelson there is an audio compass so they can steer the ship. They find it satisfying and in my experience steer a better course than most sighted people. I have tried a couple of times to teach blind people to sail keelboats. It's harder than y'd think to steer by feel of wind on your face.
It's worth contacting RYA Sailability - I went on one of their courses and VI was the disability most emphasised.
It's worth contacting RYA Sailability - I went on one of their courses and VI was the disability most emphasised.
Mandiwall
New Member
I can help anyone who wishes information about sailing by people with a visual impairment, also how they can get involved etc. The subject is as interesting as it is diverse. There is an out of date site with interesting historical info -- www.visailing.co.uk.
The idea that opportunities consist of regimented discipline as suggested by a contributor
--- 'prescriptive' in their approach. They basically tell you what to do, where to sit and so on ---
is rather misleading as it is promoted by a very PC organisation who think of themselves as the pinnacle of sailing knowledge in this area.
ALL opportunities are to be welcomed.
The idea that opportunities consist of regimented discipline as suggested by a contributor
--- 'prescriptive' in their approach. They basically tell you what to do, where to sit and so on ---
is rather misleading as it is promoted by a very PC organisation who think of themselves as the pinnacle of sailing knowledge in this area.
ALL opportunities are to be welcomed.
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NUTMEG
Well-Known Member
O
Ah, well, that's OK then. I am sure VISAILING do a great job for many vi sailors and good luck to them. Visual impairment is diverse and no two people 'see' the same way. The thought that people who 'think of themselves as the pinnacle of knowledge' can ever really know what is best for every VI sailor is ridiculous.
We are all individuals after all.
That's why I bought my own boat, I might not see as well as you but in every other respect I am skipper on my boat, crew is there primarily to keep a look out and placate the insurance company!
I have no connection with this group but read their 'mission statement here to see what I am talking about http://www.visa-gb.org.uk/about.html#mainnav
Steve
Ah, well, that's OK then. I am sure VISAILING do a great job for many vi sailors and good luck to them. Visual impairment is diverse and no two people 'see' the same way. The thought that people who 'think of themselves as the pinnacle of knowledge' can ever really know what is best for every VI sailor is ridiculous.
We are all individuals after all.
That's why I bought my own boat, I might not see as well as you but in every other respect I am skipper on my boat, crew is there primarily to keep a look out and placate the insurance company!
I have no connection with this group but read their 'mission statement here to see what I am talking about http://www.visa-gb.org.uk/about.html#mainnav
Steve
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