Knoticat
Poole Harbour Commissioners has helped support a local charity, Sports Forum for the Disabled, by providing them with a free permanent berth at its award-winning Port of Poole Marina.
Sports Forum for the Disabled provides sailing opportunities in Poole Harbour for the disabled and their carers on its 10-metre offshore sailing catamaran, Knoticat.
Knoticat is run entirely by volunteers and relies on donations and grants from charitable trusts. Last year the Poole-based charity took more than 500 people sailing in Poole Harbour and along the Jurassic Coast.
Jim Stewart, chief executive of Poole Harbour Commissioners, said: “We are delighted we can help support a local charity that is so valuable in what they offer for the disabled.
“Sports Forum for the Disabled provides a real hands-on sailing experience and we hope that by berthing at our award-winning Port of Poole Marina they will be able to provide even more sailing opportunities throughout the year.”
Knoticat’s chief skipper, Ian Fisher, added: “The free mooring in Port of Poole Marina will make an enormous difference to us and we are extremely grateful to Poole Harbour Commissioners for its support. It’s from generous donations like this that mean we can continue to help the disabled.”
The catamaran, which can sail a maximum of 11 persons, including two crew, has been adapted for ‘roll on, roll off’ wheelchair access throughout. All the ropes, lines and controls lead to one wheelchair adapted steering position and passengers are encouraged to steer and sail the boat with guidance from the charity’s highly experienced skippers and crew.
Weather permitting, the Knoticat operates five days a week and trips are free of charge. For booking enquiries please call 07889 970702 or email booking@sailing4all.org.