by Mark Taylor
Editor’s Introduction (Julia Jones)
I’m aware that we offer surprisingly little disabled sailing (or other diversity projects) on the Deben. (Shout at me if I’m wrong because I’d love to hear from you – [email protected].) HOWEVER there are many people from the Deben who volunteer at the Woolverstone Project on the Orwell and also at EAST, the East Anglian Sailing Trust. Among their activities they have a Visually Impaired Section which welcomes additional volunteers and yachts to get involved in their cruising programme. If you are interested in helping please email [email protected] or leave a voice message on 0333 0883278. This article by Mark Taylor, sailing secretary of the Nancy Blackett Trust, describes the day Nancy got involved. (Reprinted here by kind permission of the Trust.)
Nancy alongside at Suffolk Yacht Harbour.
VI Cruise Weekend
Neil and I arrived at Woolverstone for our delivery trip to Suffolk Yacht Harbour, a couple of miles downriver. The forecast was for strong winds and heavy rain. We blew rapidly downwind under staysail, arriving in good time to meet our other two crew members; Robert, our VIP, has been sailing for many years and is slowly losing his sight but has some remaining vision. Geoff, our VI crew (sighted assistant) is Treasurer and Keelboat Instructor for the disability sailing at EAST. He has since joined us. Welcome Geoff, to the Nancy Blackett Trust! Judith, the cruise organizer, joined us earlier in the year, and will shortly be back on Nancy for some training.
In the evening, we congregated in the EAST clubhouse for crew briefings and socialising. I have to say that we made a raucous group, it was clear everyone was enjoying themselves, especially the VIP’s who came from a variety of backgrounds, several of whom had never been on a boat before. The VIP’s ranged from completely blind to having some vision. Inflated life jackets, tactile charts and model yachts were passed around, this is a great way for the VIPs to learn about sailing. Can you imagine, for example, how difficult it would be to describe the layout of a yacht to someone who has never seen one?
A sunny but windy morning.
And so, to bed. I lay awake for a while enjoying a view of the night sky out of the open hatch and thinking about how Arthur Ransome will have enjoyed this view. What a lovely way to be gently rocked to sleep. I was rudely awakened to the sound of heavy rain, and the realisation that Nancy had developed a drip, right onto my sleeping bag!
The next morning breakfasted and washed; we found we had an engine problem. Fortunately for us, Ian Mc Glynn did a brilliant job of long-distance call center engine diagnosis, and we were good to go. Neil safely maneuvered out of the marina in very tricky conditions, then finally we were sailing under two reefs and staysail. A run, up towards Ipswich and back to the safety of SYH, where Nancy was descended upon, even before we had finished tying up, by a large crowd, VIPs included, who wanted to see, or feel, their way all over Nancy. She created so much interest that I was beginning to wonder if we would ever get to cook supper!
We met again in the EAST clubhouse for games and socialising, what fun, the smiles and laughter said it all! …And so, to bed, heavy rain again However this time I am pleased to say, Nancy, for reasons known only to herself, had become completely watertight.
Unfortunately, the next day was even windier, and we decided that it was unsafe to take our VI crew out, instead we would simply return her to Woolverstone. Mad keen to come aboard Nancy, Vicky (one of the weekends volunteers) joined us on the return leg — not just for the ride, but as an extra pair of hands for docking. A true enthusiast and honorary crew member!
So, what is it like to take a VIP sailing? I hear you ask. Well pretty amazing actually, VIPs other senses become heightened to compensate for lack of vision, and so they generally have excellent wind awareness that can outperform a sighted person. Particularly on ‘best course to windward,’ with their ability to steer according to boat heel. EAST has a supply of ‘audible compasses’ which speak the boats heading to VIP.
In total, seven yachts, including Nancy, took part in the cruise. Five of which are privately owned, and one belongs to Adastral Park Sailing Club. There were twenty-nine participants with seven VIPs. EAST are oversubscribed with VIPs wanting to join in the fun’ additional yachts would be made very welcome. Our VI crew kindly gave generous donations to the Trust, as did EAST who were unbelievably helpful and welcoming to us, making sure that Nancy was given the recognition that she deserves. Geoff even kindly drove all the way round to Woolverstone just to catch our lines as we blew back into our home berth. I think I can speak for Neil when I say that the whole weekend was a remarkable experience.
Neil Brookes skippering Nancy, with Vicky the stowaway.
Mark Taylor
Mark Taylor is the Sailing Secretary of the Nancy Blackett Trust and a member of Adastral Park Sailing Club. Mark was an avid re-reader of Arthur Ransome’s stories as a boy. Years later, after regularly sailing past Nancy Blackett on the River Orwell, he was delighted to discover her rich history and direct connection to Ransome. Since then, Mark has enjoyed combining his love of sailing with the literary legacy left to us by this brilliant author.
Volunteering with the Nancy Blackett Trust is a rewarding way to help preserve a cherished piece of maritime and literary history. The Trust is always looking for suitably qualified and experienced crew to help sail and maintain Nancy Blackett. Volunteers can also contribute to a wide range of activities, from youth engagement and education to PR and event planning. If you’d like to know more or to book a sail on Nancy Blackett contact Mark [email protected].
If you might volunteer to help with visually impaired sailing at EAST, contact Judith Hedges [email protected].