In 1984, a £50,000 legacy enabled the establishment of a Weymouth charity ‘Friends of MV FREEDOM’ with the aim of taking local people and their families, who were living with any form of disability, out into Weymouth Bay to see the Jurassic Coast from the sea.

Having located a second-hand single hull fishing boat, it was re-equipped and made accessible for disabled passengers, including those in wheelchairs. The original boat came to the end of its serviceable life and was replaced with an ex-fishing catamaran where again much work was required to bring it up the requirements to meet the varying needs of our passengers.

Bringing the story up to date moves us to 2017 when it was recognised that Freedom 2 was starting to show its age, so the Trustees decided to find the funds required to design and commission a new twin engined Blyth 10m motor catamaran. One of the previous drawbacks to the Freedom operation was the lack of a suitable toilet so the new boat was constructed with a fully accessible toilet, so wheelchairs users would use the facility with ease.

Fund raising continued in earnest and with support from several Grant giving organisations and local individuals and businesses, the boat was ordered, although at that time it was touch and go financially – but spurred on with the new boat under construction. The project financing was eventually achieved and despite Covid restrictions, delivery was taken in 2021 when the boat was delivered from the builders on Canvey Island back to Weymouth – a two-day voyage. The old boat was sold and is now back to its original life as a charter fishing boat in Cornwall.

The pandemic meant that operationally trips for residents of Care Homes and Day centres etc were not possible, especially as many clients were clearly ‘vulnerable’ in several senses of that word.

The boat is coded under MCA Small Commercial Vesssel Regulations and operates with a cadre of volunteer Skippers who all hold relevant Commercially Endorsed qualifications. Each sailing has two trained crew, all are volunteers, as are all other members of the charity. The boat operates from April to October from a mooring in Weymouth Inner Harbour. On leaving, it passes under the Town’s Bascule Bridge and through the outer harbour and out along the Jurassic Coast to Lulworth Cove and Durdle Dor or, alternatively into Portland Harbour.

Often, they see seals and sometimes dolphins basking within the harbour walls close to Portland Marina and Port with its variety of commercial traffic, including some very sizeable cruise ships.

Operating on weekdays with two, two hours trips each day, approx. 2000 clients with their carers and families can enjoy the sea each year. The boat is licensed for 12 including up to 6 wheelchair users.

They allow, under supervision, clients to steer the boat offering them a ‘captains’ or ’pirates’ hat to make their day memorable. For wheelchair users they offer an iPad enabling them to remotely steer the boat via an integrated system that links through to the autopilot. A certificate of Helmsmanship is handed out to record their unforgettable day with the Freedom crew.

Passengers are asked for a donation to assist with running costs, but a team of volunteers also organise fund raising, with valued support also coming from local organisations who run events for them. This assists them to achieve the £20,000 it costs annually to maintain this service.

With the Queens Award for Voluntary Service awarded in 2021 and every TripAdvisor review from passengers being 5 stars, they are delighted to receive heartwarming feedback from travellers who generously recognise their efforts through their donations, which can also be made via a Donation button on the website – mvfreedom.org

On each sailing they see how the Freedom experience has improved the wellbeing of their passengers – from just relaxing and reminiscing about previous experiences to empowering them to take on other ‘adventures’, and, for carers of disabled relatives, they provide them with a couple of hours respite.

They were delighted when Nick Burham’s ‘Aquaholic’ channel on YouTube came onboard in June this year to film – ‘Meet the Skippers – M V Freedom’. He produced a 19-minute video which describes everything you need to know about the Charity and its activities.

After 40 successful years, and strong ongoing demand for trips from the local disabled community and holiday makers to Dorset, the Trustees and all volunteers are looking forward to serving the community for years to come.

 

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