Inventure Latest update
30 January
Inventure
is secure in E Cowes Marina, where we have been made to feel
very welcome. Having found a temporary propeller and after
several dives by our new friend Kenneth to hook it on we had
a fabulous sail up from Plymouth with a 6/7 behind us...almost
first run in 2,500 miles. John Elwell who looked after Yoldia
when I had my accident joined Nick and I and Kenneth for the
overnight sail. That was 1 December, since then the events
of the past four months have overtaken me. I've been out the
house four times, twice to see my consultant and I have just
returned from Wales, where I have been with me mum since Christmas.
It's incredible how much the whole experience has taken out
of me leaving me utterly drained. Inside however I am happy
and glowing in the achievement. I sort of can't believe we
actually did it.
Work
has already started on Inventure, the engines are out and
the electrician has made a start on the wiring. We hope to
get a lot done before the end of winter.Will report back in
the Spring.
Have
a GREAT 2002
Trev
PS
Below
are some stats on the voyage.
Inventure
- Circumnavigation of UK & Ireland 2001 - stats.
We
covered 2,475 nautical miles over 3 months and 11 days. Comprising
20 days and 9 nights sailing. We visited twenty ports and
spent the night at 26 different locations, including 11 marinas,
4 converted docks, 2 moorings, 3 commercial docks, 4 canal
basins, 1 river jetty and a harbour pontoon.
We
spent approximately 4 nights in each port with notable exception
of Tresco, where we spent 2 weeks after I got an infection,
2 weeks in Milford Haven making repairs to the boat and two
weeks in Newcastle recovering from exhaustion.
A
total of 17 people joined me for a day or more(12 male 5 female)
11 were employed for a week or more as PA/crew, 3 of them
had yacht sailing experience, 9 had care experience 4 paraplegics
crewed as volunteers. Usually there were 4 on board; myself,
1 paraplegic and two able bodied.
10
nationalities were represented including 1 German, a Spaniard,
a Kiwi, an Ozzie, 3 South Africans, 2 Canadians, an American,
an Austrian, 6 English and a Scot.
We
had hundreds of visitors, gave out almost 1000 leaflets. 325
people received the email news updates. The website recieved
1200ish visits a week. Aura PR set up media coverage which
included interviews with 1 national TV programme, 14 regional
TV companies, satelite TV, pieces in three national newspapers,
broadcasts on 24 local radio stations, articles in 11 specialist
magazines and 42 regional newspapers.
Over
the past five years approximately 500 individuals have given
or raised a total of nearly £500,000 towards the cost of building/adapting
Inventure. The first yacht ever built for tetraplegic control.
Equipment or services to the value of about £300,000 have
been donated by 100 different companies 38 have given discounts
of 40% or more.
The
Operational cost of sailing around Britain was roughly £45,000.
It included £3,400 on food and expendables , £570 on diesel,
£150 on post, £250 on medical supplies, £430 on laundry, £1,600
on spares and equipment, £14,200 on repairs, £1,600 on clothing,
£1,300 on telecoms, £13,340 on crew/care £2,220 on hotels
and Thanks to generosity of those who owned Tresco, Pendennis
Marina, Bristol Docks, Dun Lahoughry Marina, Liverpool Docks,
Carrikfergus Marina, the Haven Marina in Ipswich and Harbour
Master in Guernsey our berthing costs were just £2,070.
Project
Telecom, Virgin, Baxters & The Cadogan Charity and an anonymous
company sponsored the cost of The Round Britain Challenge.
Project Telecom sponsored the branding and PR. An additional
grant by the Cadogan Charity will enable us to finish Inventure.
We
set out with the following aims:
- Promote
brand names of our sponsors and prove inventure as a brand
sponsorship vehicle.
- Canvas
support/sponsorship for global challenge
- Trial
the yacht and on board systems, prove seaworthiness
- Train/select
crew for global challenge.
I
like to think we achieved them and more
During
the winter we will be working on the following:
Gearing
up The Inventure Trust to enable wider participation by disabled
people Completely rebuilding the wing control system using
up to date/off the shelf electronics, more reliable sensors
and mechanical back ups. Redesigning and rebuilding the wheelchair
side lift and automatic door, adjusting steering position
lift, refining wheelchair locking. Rewiring much of the electronics
making diagrams. Re-running coaxial cable Installing new fuel,
water and holding tanks with more reliable level indicators.
Removing and overhauling both engines Building an awning improvements
to heating and hot water generation Many finishing items Designing
and building a dinghy crane to aide w/chair access when at
anchor or mooring Installing anchor windlass Cleaning and
polishing
During
the Autumn and summer will probably continue sailing trials
which with the new control system will need to be extensive,
& also crew training/recruiting. I will be working on my stamina,
health, sleep and fitness..... 24,000 miles to go!
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