New wheelchair-accessible boats launched on River Thames and in Manchester

UK charity The Wheelyboat Trust has celebrated two recent launches of wheelchair-accessible boats. Both projects were spearheaded by the charity in collaboration with local partners and aim to provide greater opportunities for individuals with disabilities to engage in boating and other water-based recreation.

On September 10 2024, Accessible Boating Thames (ABT) launched a new Coulam V20 Wheelyboat on the River Thames at Bisham Abbey, near Marlow. The new boat is designed to accommodate wheelchair users and individuals with other mobility impairments, ensuring they can board and operate the boat safely and independently. The V20 model features a spacious cockpit and a hydraulic bow door that lowers to form a ramp, facilitating roll-on, roll-off access from a jetty or pontoon. The boat also includes a drive-from-wheelchair console, allowing users with severe disabilities to drive the vessel.

Gavin Tisshaw, chair of ABT, describes the launch as a significant milestone for the charity, which has been providing water-based activities for individuals with disabilities for many years. “This is a momentous occasion for ABT – securing our own Wheelyboat will make such a difference and ensure we can continue to help those that need our services,” he says. The boat was funded through a £68,000 fundraising campaign, supported by the Greaves and Withey Foundation and The Wheelyboat Trust, among other contributors.

Accessible Boating Trust’s new Coulam V20 Wheelyboat on the River Thames at Bisham Abbey. Image courtesy of Accessible Boating Trust.

Representatives from various organisations attended the launch event, including SEN and SEND schools and Dementia Action Marlow, as well as volunteers and beneficiaries of ABT’s services. The new Wheelyboat is expected to serve a wide range of users, with activities ranging from family picnic afternoons to Duke of Edinburgh trips.

In Manchester earlier this summer, a similar initiative saw the launch of the Coulam V17 Wheelyboat, named Liberty, on Gorton Reservoir. The boat was unveiled on 22 June 2024 by four-time Paralympian Laurie Williams, who plays wheelchair basketball for Great Britain. Liberty, like its counterpart at Bisham Abbey, offers full accessibility, including a hydraulic bow door and a drive-from-wheelchair helm. The boat is the result of a partnership between The Wheelyboat Trust and Debdale Outdoor Centre, which is managed by GLL on behalf of Manchester Active.

Martin Ware, water sports manager at Debdale Outdoor Centre, highlights that the northwest has one of the highest proportions of disabled individuals in the UK. “I’m proud that with our new Wheelyboat we can offer everyone, whatever their ability, the chance to enjoy water sports on Gorton Reservoir,” he says. The new boat will provide year-round access to activities such as powerboating and nature watching, with plans for themed events, including Halloween and a Santa Run during winter.

The Wheelyboat Trust aims to increase accessibility to the UK’s waterways. To date, the charity has helped launch over 230 Wheelyboats, allowing thousands of people with disabilities to enjoy water-based activities.

“Wheelyboats provide a lifeline for anyone with a disability or mobility issues as users can board safely and independently,” says Paul Elgood, director of development at The Wheelyboat Trust.

“More Wheelyboat launches are in the pipeline, and are organised by the operator of the new boat,” he tells MIN. “Any new launches will likely now take place from spring 2025 onwards when there’s a full summer (and better weather) ahead for users of the boats to enjoy. We are always seeking suitable sites for new Wheelyboats and urge interested groups to come forward.”

The Wheelyboat Trust continues to rely on donations to fund the acquisition and maintenance of its fleet, which includes models like the V20 and V17.

To ensure the long-term maintenance of its fleets, Wheelyboat partners with various funders and supporters, often charitable trusts who support disabled activities. The trust works with the operator of the new boat – whether that be a sailing club, school or fishery – to raise funds to help them acquire their new boat, but the ongoing maintenance of the boat, and associated costs, are the responsibility of the operator.

Going forward, operators usually either fundraise for any ongoing costs associated with the boat or have an existing budget to ensure the future of their boat.

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