The Background

Since 1993 an annual East Coast cruise for blind sailors has operated from Suffolk Yacht Harbour (SYH) on the River Orwell near Ipswich. Following this initiative between the former RYA Seamanship Foundation, the East Anglian Sea School and SYH, the cruise has received very positive help from a number of RYA Clubs in the Eastern Region and has been developed to include weekend taster events involving a team of over twenty volunteer yacht owners all working on an informal rota basis.

Amongst the fleet of National Squib Keelboat sailors on the River Orwell from SYH under the burgee of the Haven Ports Yacht Club was Kevin Curtis. Kevin is a wheelchair user following an accident at the age of seventeen that appeared to put an end to an already promising sailing career. Fortunately he was introduced to the Challenger Trimaran at an East Coast Boat Show which put him back on the water, racing on equal terms. For a number of years he dominated the various regional and national Championships for the Challenger Trimaran Class in Triple Indemnity.

Kevin is now best known for the World and Paralympic Gold Medals which he gained at Barcelona and Atlanta as a member of the British Sailing Team. This success has twice earned him the coveted Yachting Journalists’ Association/BT “Yachtsman of the Year” award.

Formed as a recognised charity, the East Anglian Sailing Trust (EAST) runs regular weekly sailing programmes for disabled adults and their carers from around the region. To enable this to work EAST has:

· Purchased a fleet of five National Squib Keelboats.

· Liaised with RYA Sailability and the Eastern region of the RYA to improve disabled sailing.

· Worked with an increasing number of RYA Clubs on fundraising ventures.

· Developed links with other charities in East Anglia.

· Received great support from the Squibbers at Haven Ports Yacht Club and various other UK National Squib fleets and individuals.

· Built up a team of skilled volunteer helpers to run the programme and maintain the keelboats and support craft.

· Initiated training weekends for yacht owners from other clubs and marinas.

· Taken on the responsibility of the East Coast cruising for blind and visually impaired sailors.

· Opened a dedicated workshop and training room. This is used for a variety of social events, for the maintenance of the EAST boats and for a variety of training courses.

Each year EAST offers “Taster Weekends” at SYH to enable blind adults to try sailing on a fleet of cruising yachts, provided by members of the regular team. At the same time a number of keen but apprehensive new skippers sail their own craft from SYH with a sighted crew and one of the experienced visually impaired EAST sailors, gaining valuable experience in order to consider joining the main EAST coast cruise for visually impaired sailors. This week-long East coast cruise has been run every year since 1993.

· A further series of cruising opportunities for sailors with a wider range of disabilities was piloted during 2001. This has enabled members to improve their sailing and navigational skills and some have chosen to work towards internationally recognised RYA qualifications.

The Future EAST operates entirely with voluntary help and is fortunate to have attracted a strong and skilled team of volunteers. This has enabled the Trust to offer additional sailing for its membership that is currently open to those with disabilities and their carers over the age of 18. Six local trustees of EAST monitor the current programmes of activities in order to ensure that they continues to meet the needs and aspirations of the members within the available budget. The voluntary ethos of the Trust is seen as an important part of future development, but this is linked with a need for more volunteers who hold professional qualifications.

Bill Smith (standing) keeps a watchful eye on the Squibs while EAST volunteer Peter Creasey pilots one of the EAST support craft.