Wetwheels Yorkshire (WWY) is the fifth boat to be launched by the hugely popular charity, the Wetwheels Foundation. The boat, currently under construction, is due to arrive into Whitby in May where she will enjoy a full season taking disabled and disadvantaged people out on the water.
Originally conceived in 2011 the Wetwheels Foundation builds disabled people’s confidence by providing the opportunity to access the sea in a fun, safe, stimulating and rewarding way using specially modified, fully accessible powerboats.
Our first boat, Wetwheels Solent, based in Portsmouth, made her debut in 2011. This was followed by Wetwheels Jersey in 2013, Wetwheels Hamble in May 2016 and Wetwheels South East in Dover (also launched in 2018).
In just seven years we have taken thousands of disabled people on voyages of discovery.
Many modifications go into making a powerboat suitable for disabled and wheelchair users and Whitby’s location provided the chance to add a few more.
WWY has a specially modified aerial to allow access under the low bridge into the harbour and will be the first powerboat to have twin access doors allowing passengers to embark and disembark from either side providing many more options for her use up and down the Yorkshire coast.
Although based in Whitby, WWY hopes to be able to take passengers on trips from Scarborough and other Yorkshire ports.
She will have a trained commercial skipper plus a specially trained crew member on board for each trip during which passengers will have the opportunity to view the coast from the water – and may even be able to take control of the boat helping to steer her.
Bookings for the trip are now being taken. Already WWY has received almost 100 enquiries from individuals, groups and charities for trips starting from June.
Further details can be found at http://www.wetwheelsyorkshire.com.