The Log of Trilleen – a regular account of Ian’s experience as a disabled sailor with Sailing Trilleen
Waiting is part of sailing. For weather, for tide through refit and during postponements of a race’s start. In all these I and every sailor, wait in eager expectation of the moment at which our vessel again cleaves the water, a growing wake behind her. These waits are mostly short, or at least have a … Read more
This guide is designed to help open up what can be one of the most accessible waterways in Britain to a wider group of users who have disabilities or other reasons for additional needs for accessible washing and access facilities.
An incident during Trilleen’s recent launch has resulted in unrecoverable damage to her rig. This means I won’t be continuing my Round Britain and Ireland sail until she has a new mast in place. I’m still working through he full impact of the schedule changes and will keep you all up to date here and … Read more
As a disabled solo sailor circumnavigating the waters of the UK and Ireland, one of the challenges I’ve had to deal with is managing incontinence at sea. I have good news: it can be done, and done well, even on a tiny boat. My specific issues relate to a spinal injury, but I’ve learned that … Read more
As a solo disabled sailor, I have had the opportunity to explore many different marinas and anchorages around the UK. While some of these places have been accessible and welcoming, others have presented challenges due to a lack of accessibility in their design and infrastructure. Accessibility is not just about creating equal opportunities for people … Read more
Clear nights at sea fall as a diamond studded cloak over dusk. Planets and the navigation stars first among the revealed then the lesser lights before the great galactic smear of the Milky Way oozes into vision. The privilege of being a disabled person free to sail, to venture out into the wild, was never … Read more
A 245 mile sail from Rossaveal, Galway Bay to Islay, Scotland, completed Trilleen’s passage round the west of Ireland. It’s good to have that bit of sailing finished before the weather closes down for the winter. Trilleen and I had been loitering in Rossaveal on the north coast of Galway Bay for a few days … Read more
Trilleen’s log: 13 September 2022 After many days wind bound in Kinsale waiting for the passage of a fairly horrible depression, during which I was royally looked after by Kinsale Yacht Club and got to participate in one of their excellent Sailability activity days – I ventured out round the corner and turned towards the … Read more
Trilleen’s log: 31 August 2022 I’m across the Celtic Sea. Trilleen and I have made the biggest passage either of us have ever done in conditions which were ideal, if a bit bumpy at time. Trilleen and I are both in really good nick after the crossing and looking forward to the next challenge of … Read more
Trilleen’s log: 26 August 2022 Trilleen and I left Plymouth with decidedly mixed meteorological models. The theory was that about lunchtime a light but strengthening North Easterly would come in. So we started out from the marina with zero wind, dreadful visibility and rain, for a kedge or temporary anchorage in Cawssand Bay, a well … Read more