Inventure has been adapted for a quadraplegic skipper,
one paraplegic crewmember who both use wheelchairs and two able
bodied assistants to sail around the world. Trevor who is quadraplegic
has paralysis in all 4 limbs, needs assistance with some daily
living tasks, such as dressing, getting from bed to chair, toileting
and food preparation. He has one wrist he can move to provide
a limited grip. Paraplegics have paralysis in their legs, they
have good upper body strength and are generally fairly independent.
These are solutions to some of the problems & possible problems
in achieving the challenge. Some frequently .
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PROBLEM/QUESTION
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SOLUTION/ANSWER |
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Mobility
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- Quadraplegic will use a Permobil
electric wheelchair with seat raiser, backrest and
foot adjuster & on board communication link. Paraplegic
will use lightweight manual chair.
- Adapted boat
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How do W/Chair users get on & off boat from Marina?
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Purpose
designed hydraulic side lift with SWL of 500 kgs. Pushing
a remote switch on the chair operates it. |
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How do W/Chair users get on & off boat when she is at a
Mooring or at anchor?
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Wheelchair users wheel in to the 5 metre RIB stowed on
starboard deck via ramped/automatic
bow door. The RIB plus occupants are then lowered/raised
on/from the water by a custom designed crane
with SWL of 1 tonne.
The RIB's ramp is lowered again at the shore to ease disembarkation.
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How do W/Chair users get around boat
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Deck
and all main living areas on one level linked by gentle
gradients |
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How are the wheelchairs secured in a rough sea?
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The Permobil has a purpose built
locking hook, which can be automatically lowered beneath
the chair and connected to one of ten individual "locking
plate " positioned strategically around the boat . Locking
straps are carried to connect all chairs with eyelets
built into the deck. Occupants can strap themselves in
to their chairs if appropriate . |
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How do W/Chair users control the boat when inside?
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The main steering position is designed for the
chair to
drive up to with knees going under the steering wheel.
The wheel has a selection of removable knobs and grips. Joystick
steering is also available. All wing controls, navigation
aids and boat instruments are within arms reach. |
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How do W/Chair users control the boat when on deck?
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A deck control station incorporating steering
joystick, wingsail joystick and engine controls can be carried
around the deck or used from a fixed position midships. |
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How can the W/Chair users see out when inside inventure?
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A purpose designed hydraulic
scissor lift is built in at the steering position. The
Permobil has its own built in seat raiser. |
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How does a quadraplegic open and close the main cabin door?
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It is fully automated and operated by pushing
a remote
switch on the chair, or using switches on the inside and
outside of the boat . |
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How can you get to all the switches when in a wheelchair?
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Every electrical system can be switched on or
off from the central
electric panel which is accessible from a wheelchair. |
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How does a quadraplegic compensate for not being able to
get in and out of bed quickly?
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Inventure can be completely controlled from
the bed in the master cabin; all navigation, radar and boat
information is repeated there. The bed has an automatic head
raiser. |
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What about problems with pressure sores, fluid retention
or lung infection?
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The
bed has an automatic head raiser, which could if sleeping
the other way around be used as a foot raiser. The mattresses
are all pressure relieving "Vaperms" built specially by Slumberland.
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How do you charge the wheelchair
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When not in use the chair can be plugged in
to a built in onboard charger, which is powered, by the
generator or the battery bank via an inverter. |
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How do W/Chair users wash & shower?
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There is an accessible basin
& shower with hot or cold in the master heads and in
the cockpit. An anodised lightweight wheelchair has been specially
built to wheel over the toilet bowl (heads). |
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How do W/Chair users go to the toilet on board?
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Most Paraplegics and Quadraplegics have a leg
bag in to which urine drains straight from the bladder. The
bag can be emptied via a tap, in to the heads, a container
or over the side. With help from laxatives and suppositories
bowels are emptied either on to a paper sheet on the bed,
transferring on to the toilet bowl (heads) or using the specially
built wheelchair which has a hole in the seat and can be wheeled
over the toilet
bowl (heads) . |
| How does the wingsail work? |
The wing consists of
three aerofoils, which sit on a freely rotating stainless
steel bearing. Two of these aerofoils sit in parallel and
have flaps, which can be engaged by an electric actuator,
either left or right depending on the relative direction of
the wind. When engaged it is these flaps, which provide the
main thrust. The third aeroifoil or "tail" sits between the
other two and back a bit. When moved by its electronic actuator
it is this "tail" which controls the wing. In neutral the
aero foils always point directly in to the wind with the tail
at the back much like a wind vane. To start sailing in normal
operation the pilot will push forward the joystick much like
a throttle unit. In simple terms this has the effect of moving
the tail from its neutral position across the airflow. Force
of the air against the tail will cause the whole wing assemble
to swing on its bearing offering an angle of attack between
the airflow and the aerofoils. Air will move faster on one
side than the other and the resultant difference of pressure
becomes lift (much like a traditional sail). When the flaps
are engaged (automatically) the lift is increased and the
boat speed increases. |
| Does the wingsail spin round and round ? |
No the wing is set much like traditional fabric
sails, the automated system continually adjusts its relative
position for best performance by simply moving the tail. |
| What if the wingsail fails? |
If the computer fails, the wing can be controlled
directly with a series of push buttons. If these fail there
is a secondary power source with its own switching system.
If this fails there is an emergency manual release for the
main wing flaps and a series of ropes & pulley blocks can
be set up. |
| How do you navigate? |
Using two independent electronic chart systems
with built in GPS
and world databases and traditional Admiralty charts |
| What if your GPS breaks down? |
Inventure has three independent GPS systems
including a hand held version with AAA batteries. |
| How do W/Chair users drive the RIB? |
The RIB has modified controls //LINK
when I find pic//, which swing into position over the chair. |
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Quadraplegics have no temperature how do they cope with
extreme temperatures and wet weather.
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There is no reason to go outside
as Inventure is completely controlled from below, the windows
are double-glazed. A thermostatically controlled heating and
air-conditioning system keeps temperature constant. |
| What if Inventure catches fire? |
Each generator and engine space has a Chubb
automatic fire detection and extinguisher installed. Hand-helds
are also carried |
| How would W/chair users get into the life raft? |
A six-man life raft is carried on the push pit
and is released straight in to the water by pulling a leaver.
W/chair access is via an inflatable ramp also carried on the
push pit, and positioned in the raft by the able bodied. |
| What if Inventure capsizes? |
In this extremely unlikely event, Inventure
will float upside down with a dry cabin above water level.
A built in hoist can be used by the able bodied to lift the
W/chair users up in to it. An escape hatch provides daylight
and exit on to the upturned hull |
| In the event of emergency how would you survive
the cold? |
We will carry 4 of the latest "Shark Integrated"
survival suits |
| How would the rescue services find you? |
We will carry two EPIRB locator beacons, one
portable and one built in to the C-Sat system. |
| Inventure has a lot of electrical equipment
on board what if something breaks down? |
Most equipment is installed in duplicate for
this very reason. Repairs can be carried out on board a comprehensive
guide for everything is carried. A sat-phone fax and email
can communicate advice from the manufacturer. |
| What if you loose power or run out of diesel? |
Solar panels will provide a limited amount of
charge for wing controls and emergency systems. |
| What if a man goes overboard? |
The yachts position is marked on the navigation
system, a Dan buoy (a float with light, beacon and recovery
line) is released either manually or remotely. When located
the person gets back on board either by crawling up the inflatable
rescue ladder or by being lifted by the crane in a rescue
strop. An able bodied person can be lowered by the crane to
aid rescue of a disabled person. |
| What communication systems do you have? |
VHF, Mini Mobeq for voice, fax & email, Satcom
C for data, EPIRB for distress alert and location, vibrating
pager to call personal assistant |
| What provides the electrical power on board
Inventure? |
2 x 6kva diesel generators, 2 X 140 amphrs 12v
battery banks, 600 amphrs 24v battery bank, 8 solar panels,
shore power connector for 220v or 110v and inverter to create
220v from 24v battery bank. |
| How do you cook on board? |
Microwave,
gas stove and oven gas BBQ |
| Can Wheelchairs get everywhere on board? |
No only the main living area. All machinery
spaces are inaccessible and two of the sleeping cabins are
inaccessible. |
| How fast does Inventure go? |
Under engine 8 kts at cruising revs, in excess
of 10kts. |
