Cowes Sailability Club Welcomes New Safety Vessel To Fleet

The accessible sailing and boating charity, Cowes Sailability Club, has taken delivery of a new safety boat, which it has purchased following a successful fundraising appeal.

The vessel will help to ensure the safety of disabled people and volunteers when they are taking part in Cowes Sailability Club’s weekly sailing activities. 

The new safety boat was named Scarlett by the double gold-winning Olympic sailor Shirley Robertson OBE, in a ceremony on Saturday 21st June 2025. Shirley attended the event and met volunteers and members of Cowes Sailability Club in her role as Deputy Lieutenant of the Isle of Wight. 

The safety boat was built on the Isle of Wight by Island RIBs Limited and this local company will provide training, servicing and maintenance throughout the boat’s lifetime.

Boat insurance for the first year, has been provided free-of-charge by Pantaenius UK, a boat insurance provider that specialises in leisure yacht and motorboat insurance. 

Cowes Sailability Club provides weekly sailing activities for people with disabilities from May until September.

Driven by its mission to ‘put smiles on faces’, the charity also organises regular trips on motorboats and a yacht that are wheelchair-accessible. New members are always welcome.