Press Release
Local Resident has another Tall Ship Adventure
Paul Wharrier of Hexham recently returned from his latest adventure aboard a unique tall ship.
The retired architect joined the crew of Tenacious on 23 July as part of this year’s internationally recognised The Tall Ships’ Races which are run by Sail Training International. Paul joined the ship for the cruise leg from Aalborg, Denmark, to Kristiansand, Norway - a brilliant opportunity to sail alongside other race participants but without the competitive pressures.
Paul sailed in a crew of up to 40 other amateurs on board Tenacious which is owned and operated by Southampton based charity, Jubilee Sailing Trust. The ship is one of only two in the world that has been designed and built to enable able bodied and disabled people to sail side by side as equals.
Everyone on board has a part to play no matter what their level of experience or ability. With facilities that include wheelchair lifts between deck levels, a speaking compass and the option for joystick steering or the usual ship’s wheel, but with hydraulic power assisted steering, everybody has the chance to fully participate in the action on board.
Paul who was in the Royal Navy Reserve and has always loved the sea, also enjoys small boat sailing and will soon set off on a trip on one of the boats that belonged to Arthur Ransome, the famous children’s author of the ‘Swallows and Amazons’ novels.
Paul says of his experiences sailing with the Jubilee Sailing Trust: “I enjoy the chance to be at sea and to meet a diverse section of people, able bodied and disabled, 16 year olds to 86 year olds, people who are able to fund their trips themselves and those who need help to do so.”
Tenacious will turn 10 years’ old on September 1 and there will be a number of weekend day trips that month to celebrate this milestone. Details of these trips are available on the JST website at: www.jst.org.uk.