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Yesterday, members of the club, their families & friends gathered at the Rockley Watersports Centre to watch the boat being named by the Mayor and Admiral of the Port of Poole, Cllr Joyce Lavender.
It was named Lyn J in tribute to a disabled member of the club, Lyn Jones, who died earlier this year and left a legacy to cover the running costs of the boat for the next five years.
Chris Thomas, chairman of Poole Sailability, said: "It allows us to take a lot more disabled people sailing. It allows a lot more people a lot more access onto the water and they can work in a safe environment."We can also transport disabled people safely between the boats and from ship to shore."
Sailing Captain Christopher Harvey added: "Previously we had to rely on borrowing a small rescue launch, which meant we had to curtail our activities. "Now we are able to operate independently and sail whenever we want, knowing we are operating to the highest possible safety standards.
"With the recent successes of the GB sailing team in the Paralympics, we are hoping to encourage many local disabled people to take up the sport soon."
Before she named the boat, Cllr Lavender told the gathered crowd: "We now need a disabled sailor in the Paralympics from Poole." The boat was blessed by retired vicar and active sailor Rev Humphrey Squire, who himself has a disabled wife and daughter.
Ed Perkins, deputy editor of the Echo, said: "I would like to say on behalf of the Daily Echo and the Gannett Foundation how pleased we are to have helped with the funding for the new safety boat.
"Poole Sailability is an exceptional project."
The club welcomes members of all abilities & operates 3 wayfayer dinghies & three lifting keel boats.
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