Carrick Marina is ‘first port of call’ for Sailability group

Foyle Sailability volunteers are taking on the adventure to raise awareness of Sailability Ireland, a national organisation aimed at increasing opportunities for people with disabilities to engage in sailing and water-based activities.

Members of Belfast Lough Sailability (BLS) were on hand to welcome the three large cruising yachts and their crews.

There was even a special surprise for the visitors when Anne Taylor, chairperson of BLS, made a presentation of a small sail boat. She explained: “When our group started up in 2001, we were given two squibs to help us get going and this gift was a great help in expanding our services. In admiration of the effort Foyle Sailability is making to raise awareness of sailing for those with disabilities with the Round Ireland Cruise, BLS would like to present you with one of our squibs. We hope that this will assist your group’s growth in your area of operation, the Foyle estuary.”

Joining the cruise, meanwhile, was Belfast Lough Sailability’s own Steve Frecknall.

A crew member aboard the yacht ‘Dream Machine’, Steve and the other Round Ireland sailors continued from Carrick to Carlingford Lough, where they met with the local Sailability group.

At Carlingford, the fleet was due to be joined by a fourth yacht for the remainder of its journey.