The Wheelyboat Trust

Boating and angling opportunities for disabled people take a giant leap forward with the launch of two brand new accessible boats by The Wheelyboat Trust.
Chris Tarrant launches new accessible angling boat for the River Tweed The Tweed Wheelyboat is a dedicated fishing boat designed to provide disabled anglers with hassle-free access to large rivers like the Tweed. It was formally launched by TV personality and passionate angler, Chris Tarrant, on his 60th birthday. The Tweed Wheelyboat has come about due to the dearth of disabled-accessible angling on this world famous game fishery. As well as its bank fishing being impossible (wading is the norm), the fishing boats used over much of the river are very difficult for disabled anglers to get into, especially wheelchair users, and are not at all suited to their needs.

The Tweed Wheelyboat solves these problems and means that the disabled angler and ghillie/boatman on their own can board and disembark a purpose built craft which is safe, comfortable, easy to use and, for the ghillie, almost as easy to row and manoeuvre as a standard Tweed boat. Commissioned in 2005 by the Tweed Foundation to develop this solution, The Wheelyboat Trust has been working with naval architect Emrhys Barrell and professional boatbuilder Jim Coulam and the Tweed Wheelyboat is the result of more than a year’s development from initial idea to fully-working prototype. The new boat is based on Jim Coulam’s standard 15’ reservoir rowing boat which has been ingeniously modified and includes a manually-operated hydraulic platform to lower the wheelchair user from gunwale to deck.

It is already in service on the Tweed and will be joined by others as demand requires. It is not only disabled anglers on the Tweed that will benefit; the Trust is already receiving enquiries from other river and lake fisheries across the UK and Ireland which are keen to provide the craft for their disabled anglers.

Background
Angling is an activity enjoyed by millions but disabled people’s access is severely restricted due to the nature of the environment in which it takes place. Generally, though, once the problems of access to fishing lake, pond, reservoir, river, etc have been overcome, disabled people are able to participate alongside and on equal terms with their able-bodied counterparts. The greatest difficulties arise on rivers where the steep and overgrown banks and fluctuating water levels are often insurmountable barriers. But to many anglers, rivers provide the most exciting and challenging fishing with the enigmatic salmon and sea trout the most prized quarry. Disabled people therefore are severely limited in their choices and either have to miss out on an activity that many others simply take for granted or go to extreme and undignified lengths to get on the water. The huge benefits the Tweed Wheelyboat will bring about should not be underestimated – it will revolutionise the opportunities for disabled anglers.

continues.......

Versatile Mk III Wheelyboat takes up to six wheelchair users

The first brand new Mk III Wheelyboat on UK waters was launched at Chew Valley Lake near Bristol last week. The Mk III is the Trust’s most versatile Wheelyboat to date and at 17ft long and 6ft 6in wide (5.3m x 2m) it can carry up to six passengers and equipment, including wheelchairs. With a 30hp outboard pushing it along, it will provide some exhilarating sport for the more adventurous on both inshore and inland waters. However, it is equally at home with the more leisurely pastimes of angling, pleasure boating and nature watching.

Like its two predecessors, the Mk III Wheelyboat has been designed to be operated by disabled people themselves – it has a bow door for easy access on and off and its level deck throughout provides access to all corners of the boat, including the helm. The boat is extremely stable even in rougher conditions. It can be powered by a tiller or remote controlled outboard, petrol or electric. Seating is simple and adaptable.



The Mk III Wheelyboat at Chew Valley Lake can be booked for trout fishing on 01275 332339, while enquiries about the Tweed Wheelyboat should be made to 01896 848271.

For more information and pictures contact Andy Beadsley (details below).

The Wheelyboat Trust is a registered charity that promotes and provides its wheelchair accessible boats to public waters all over the UK. The Trust has now supplied its 115th Wheelyboat since it began work in 1985. The Trust does much more than simply provide Wheelyboats. It is involved in a range of activities that promote disabled people’s entitlement to equal access to waterborne activities. It raises awareness of the difficulties faced by disabled people getting access to lakes, reservoirs and other areas of water; it advises fishery managers and others on access issues; it has instituted the Alan Faulkner Memorial Award to promote the cause of disability angling; it has a comprehensive website and helps prospective venues and local groups raise their own funds to help them acquire Wheelyboats and other facilities for disabled people.

The Wheelyboat Trust (reg charity no 292216) - Andy Beadsley, Director
North Lodge, Burton Park, Petworth, West Sussex, GU28 0JT
wheelyboattrust@btconnect.com, www.wheelyboats.org
01798 342222, 07860 650023

Thanks for that info Ian,very interesting as i regularly take a mate in a wheelchair and access is always a problem ,restricts you to commercials mainly ,which i hate,he always wanted to catch a barbel but this poses problems with access.