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Sailing round Britain and Ireland. Solo. Dr Ian Wyllie (90-97) is a former Royal Navy Engineering Officer and a spinal injury survivor who is currently embarking on a solo sailing voyage around the UK and Ireland in support of the Andrew Cassell Foundation, a charity helping people with disabilities regain their independence through sailing. Ian’s experience of working with the charity shows that previous interests or hobbies can provide a route towards progress, and that informal pathways can be as valuable as a formal therapeutic rehabilitation service. Even those who have no previous experience of sailing may find the environment to be conducive to recovery, as it presents various cognitive and physical challenges, and brings a vital sense of autonomy coupled with a feeling of belonging. The support of the Andrew Cassell Foundation has been invaluable for Ian; his solo sail is not only a punctuation mark in his rehabilitation journey, but a way of thanking the charity for all they have done. “SAILING ROUND THE UK AND IRELAND TO SUPPORT THE ANDREW CASSELL FOUNDATION IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF THE PROCESS. IT’S NOT THE PROCESS. IT IS PART OF THE LONG ROAD HOME TO WHOLENESS IN MIND AND BODY.”
‘Creating a More Inclusive Sailing Community in the UK’ An extract Accessibility is not just about creating equal opportunities for people with disabilities, it is also about preserving and expanding the sailing community as a whole. During my madcap voyage, I have learnt that piecemeal improvements to access rarely provide the degree of commercial return hoped for by waterside facilities. Only a whole system approach, which includes alterations to physical infrastructure, staff training and operations practices, will bring about transformative results. A whole system approach also creates a welcoming and inclusive culture within the sailing community, and actively promotes and supports the participation of those currently excluded from sailing activities, which includes older sailors, young families with children, ethnic minorities and disadvantaged communities. Specific pointers would include: • Identifying and understanding the unique needs and experiences of all those currently underrepresented in boating and sailing through research and consultations. In turn, it will become easier to identify the barriers and challenges they face in accessing services and facilities. • Implementing comprehensive and integrated accessibility measures by considering accessibility during each stage of the design and building process, from the physical layout of buildings and facilities to the availability of assistive technology. • Ensuring that accessibility measures are regularly reviewed and updated, and that necessary adjustments and improvements are made so that that they continue to meet the changing needs and preferences of people from underrepresented sectors. • Training and supporting staff, especially in respect of attitude, communication and responsiveness. The least physically-accessible marina I have visited was a tiny facility run by a couple. It was down a steep gravel road with a gravel boatyard, and every building had a step or threshold. However, they had the best attitude by far. They knew their marina had access issues and they were committed to fixing them, and had already made some costly gangway improvements. Not only did they see this as the right thing to do, but they knew it would bring commercial reward. Dr Ian Wyllie
storage space may sound like a simple task, but Ian’s medical needs have changed quite dramatically at various points over the years, and there is no standardisation when it comes to packaging sizes, so an open plan storage bay was needed to replace the cupboard that was already in situ. It is fitting that Sailing Trilleen has had her own rehabilitation journey, and it is clear from reading Ian’s blog and social media posts that he has an affinity with her. A Vancouver 27 that was moulded in glass fibre back in 1979, she was once a respectable size of yacht and thought suitable for transoceanic sailing. Nowadays, people tend to look for much bigger boats, but Ian says that Sailing Trilleen is a tough little passage maker. In light conditions, she can struggle to even reach average walking pace, but the frustration that arises on these days is accompanied by time for welcome reflection. Ian has experienced profoundly spiritual times at sea, often at sunset and sunrise, and usually with a cup of coffee.
Sailing solo around the UK and Ireland is one of the biggest challenges any sailor can take on in home waters, but Ian’s disabilities severely impact his mobility, continence and mental health, making his undertaking all the more commendable. Ian had to do more preparation and training than most in order to ensure that he would stay safe and well on the journey. Tailoring his medication schedule and care plan to meet the demands of the passages was just one of the considerations he needed to make before setting off. While over-the- counter medication is littered with warnings of drowsiness, a number of Ian’s routine prescriptions do induce sedation and could not be taken before running a pilotage plan into a new port. Ian also needed to learn exactly how much rest to schedule in for every mile travelled to avoid fatigue and possible setbacks. Ian’s boat, Sailing Trilleen , underwent significant structural modifications in order for Ian to be able to access the deck and climb the rigging, and additional space was cleared for his medical supplies. Creating
‘The Dark of Night’ An extract On moonless nights, the whites of the waves breaking around Sailing Trilleen are only faintly illuminated by starlight, and that is when I am most vulnerable as a disabled sailor. Denied anticipation of the deck movements, much of my time is spent on a short safety line, sliding or crawling cautiously from place to place. These are the nights when more water comes over the bow than goes past the stern, and the lack of a horizon becomes nauseating and a little terrifying. The wilds are unconstrained places, without the safety rails that we build around our lives. Nothing is without risk, but the freedom to be immersed in nature is a great prize, and in every dawn comes the opportunity for another starlight night. "Disability is the one identity we will all come to share. Those of us who have had to, mid-life, recover from life-altering injuries or complications have lived through one of the most intense experiences any human can have. Recovery concerns not only health, but identity, relationships, friendships, career, finances and accommodation. I would encourage OAs to recognise the unique skills and gifts that the people in their network who are living well with disability have, as well as the benefits to their organisations that welcoming such resilient people can bring." Dr Ian Wylie Visit sailingtrilleen.org to read more about Ian’s journey and to donate to the Andrew Cassell Foundation. Ian would also be very happy to give talks or address groups – there is a contact form on the webpage.
“SAILING TRILLEEN IS A LITERAL AND METAPHORICAL SURVIVAL CAPSULE FOR ME. BOTH A BULWARK AGAINST THE COLD, HOSTILE AND MERCILESS SEA, AND A TRANSPORT THAT LIBERATES ME FROM LIMITATIONS OF DISABILITY.”
One of Ian’s main objectives has been to help improve accessibility to waterside infrastructure, without which disabled people will always be denied the opportunity to float into the wildest places. He has had the opportunity to explore marinas and anchorages around the UK and, while some have been welcoming, others have presented challenges. Of course, moorings with accessible access are vital, but the importance of accessible toilet and showering facilities is sometimes overlooked, and there is a lot to get right.
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