Sailing For A Cause
Donation protected
Sailing For A Cause = SFAC has been setup as a Facebook community to raise funds for the disabled to take an active part in coastal/offshore sailing.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/149261998874058
My name is Martin Parr. Professionally - A kind of make it happen person! A lifelong appetite for all things nautical, ocean sailing, navigation and meteorology.
Information on Skipper:
Nationality: British. Age:68. Occupation: Retired. Languages: English, French. Non-Smoker. Sea Miles: 70,000 - 75,000. Current location: On the banks of the Firth of Forth, Fife Scotland
Skills and Qualifications:
28th February 2002 – MCA/RYA Yachtmaster Offshore with Auxiliary Engines
15th November 2002 - RYA Ocean Yachtmaster Theory + Royal Navy Practical
09th November 2002 - RYA Sea Survival
07th March 1986 – RYA VHF Radio Telephony
10th December 2002 - Long Range Radio Certificate (Issued by UK Secretary of State)
09th November 2002 - 1st Aid
01st November 2002 - Safety at Sea/Sea Survival
25th February 2002 - ICC Power/Sail
23rd July 2016 - ICC Power/Sail (Renewal)
Detail:
From a sailing perspective, I hold a full RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate, endorsed with auxiliary engines and the RYA Ocean Yachtmaster theory qualification, but ex naval navigator, including vhf and long-range radio certificates. I started sailing in 1954 and have been sailing solo since 1963. My passion for ocean sailing and routing and meteorology is well known, including a gold medal presented to me by both the French and Canadian authorities in 2008 for undertaking this work (free of charge), in taking 60 yachts in both directions from La Rochelle – Quebec – La Rochelle. Known as the Grande Traversée de l'Atlantique, this was part of the festivities celebrating the 400th anniversary of the founding of Quebec. This included taking a number of yachts through the eye of a massive hurricane Bertha in real time.
During my time I have owned classic wooden yachts and my last was a steel ketch for a world circumnavigation. Alas, I was severely electrocuted in the yacht after it was collected from a well-known French boatyard - just a few weeks before the start. Not long afterwards, I had a heart problem and now have 4 stents, as well as psoriatic arthritis. Keep taking tablets I am told and it has been fine! This season I have undertaken passages from Inverness to Bangor, Firth of Forth to Kristiansand and return to Firth of Forth, with Force 7 and confirmed 12 metre waves off SW Norway, and a Southampton to Gibraltar (owner was not happy with his vessel and returned to Southampton). Written several passage plans for owners. A number of owners have diarized passages for me from the Med/Adriatic to Scandinavia.
With plenty of free time since residing on the banks of the Firth of Forth, I give back a lifetime’s nautical experience to assist boat owners/skippers, etc with any boating requirements they may have. I have met and discussed with many boat owners over the years, who intend to undertake great voyages and visit exotic places, with a vast percentage not being prepared. My strength is to share my experience to allow owners achieve their ambitions while on passage.
Boating has been my life and the ability to assist others is essential.
With there being many disability sailing organisations, the gist of this mission is clear, it is to enhance what is already available with fresh impetus and funds for offshore sailing and passage making for the disabled and less able-bodied, which we as sailors take for granted.
The mission is in two parts:-
Firstly, to purchase of a 30-40ft yacht, to be rigged for single handed sailing, and to cover the costs for a UK circumnavigation. The possibility also exists for someone to donate a suitably rigged yacht.
Secondly, to use this yacht to solo circumnavigate the UK to raise funds by, sponsorship, to obtain six yachts for the disabled sailor to use in offshore and passage making. Something we do in the course of our daily lives and take for granted.
World sporting events, including the Paralympics, have shown what achievements the disabled can reach. Water sports for the disabled are not new, and different countries approach it in fundamentally different ways. Dingy sailing and tall ships for the disabled have been going for many decades. Offshore and coastal sailing is limited and very much piecemeal arrangements. SFAC has been designed to spread the word.
As an island nation, the UK or Rule Britannia did rule the waves and it was the able bodied that were at the forefront to protect the British Empire. Today, Paralympians, especially the disabled sailors across the globe, have come into their own. Let’s give more disabled persons the opportunity that we able bodied open water sailors have, by supporting this initiative and begin by liking us virtually and then how we can help in real terms.
As progression is made in turning this project into a reality, frequent updates will be made publicly. The hunt is now on to find a suitable 30-40ft yacht. The purchase will depend on the level of crowdfunding initially received. The survey, insurance, any changes necessary to rig/rigging/sails, electronics, electrics, the fabric of the vessel itself, along with full paper charts, pilot books, sailing directions, etc will all be added into the budget. Victualing, diesel, gas, marina/mooring fees may also be donated.
Ideally the passage will begin and run from 1 May to 30 September as coastal hops, using marinas, anchorages, moorings as necessary and night passages only as and when necessary. Passage planning has already started and the passage itself will be in a clockwise direction.
May 2017 is a strong and feasible option for starting the passage, subject to funding starting to flow, but all options are flexible.
Thank you in advance for any questions or offers of assistance, other than funding. Yes, I have studied all the national and international organisations. The actual project has been launched month, but much has already been undertaken behind the scenes.
My aim is not to provide funds for one charity to the exclusion of another. It is to raise awareness in parallel with fund raising and then with discussion with others. Raising funds underpins the way I go forward and inturn depends on the amount of funds raised. It is only as one has got older and time to reflect, that it becomes clearer where one's energy should be placed. For me this project will provide much needed funds for suitable yachts for the less fortunate disabled who cannot afford to sail. To see a new charity created for this will mean very much to me. If there is a legacy that I can leave, it has to be this one.
The circumnavigation of the UK will be solo and I am preparing my normal passage plan the same way as I would for other passages. To gain maximum exposure for the cause, I have to visit as many locations as possible and why I feel it prudent to utilise the full months between May to September, in a clockwise direction, starting from and finishing on the River Forth.
I am thankful to be able to rely on social media and word of mouth to start this ball rolling. I appreciate in advance any interest that may be shown. If you see that there is some way, however small, you can interact with this project it would be most welcomed.
Thank you
Martin Parr
https://www.facebook.com/groups/149261998874058
My name is Martin Parr. Professionally - A kind of make it happen person! A lifelong appetite for all things nautical, ocean sailing, navigation and meteorology.
Information on Skipper:
Nationality: British. Age:68. Occupation: Retired. Languages: English, French. Non-Smoker. Sea Miles: 70,000 - 75,000. Current location: On the banks of the Firth of Forth, Fife Scotland
Skills and Qualifications:
28th February 2002 – MCA/RYA Yachtmaster Offshore with Auxiliary Engines
15th November 2002 - RYA Ocean Yachtmaster Theory + Royal Navy Practical
09th November 2002 - RYA Sea Survival
07th March 1986 – RYA VHF Radio Telephony
10th December 2002 - Long Range Radio Certificate (Issued by UK Secretary of State)
09th November 2002 - 1st Aid
01st November 2002 - Safety at Sea/Sea Survival
25th February 2002 - ICC Power/Sail
23rd July 2016 - ICC Power/Sail (Renewal)
Detail:
From a sailing perspective, I hold a full RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate, endorsed with auxiliary engines and the RYA Ocean Yachtmaster theory qualification, but ex naval navigator, including vhf and long-range radio certificates. I started sailing in 1954 and have been sailing solo since 1963. My passion for ocean sailing and routing and meteorology is well known, including a gold medal presented to me by both the French and Canadian authorities in 2008 for undertaking this work (free of charge), in taking 60 yachts in both directions from La Rochelle – Quebec – La Rochelle. Known as the Grande Traversée de l'Atlantique, this was part of the festivities celebrating the 400th anniversary of the founding of Quebec. This included taking a number of yachts through the eye of a massive hurricane Bertha in real time.
During my time I have owned classic wooden yachts and my last was a steel ketch for a world circumnavigation. Alas, I was severely electrocuted in the yacht after it was collected from a well-known French boatyard - just a few weeks before the start. Not long afterwards, I had a heart problem and now have 4 stents, as well as psoriatic arthritis. Keep taking tablets I am told and it has been fine! This season I have undertaken passages from Inverness to Bangor, Firth of Forth to Kristiansand and return to Firth of Forth, with Force 7 and confirmed 12 metre waves off SW Norway, and a Southampton to Gibraltar (owner was not happy with his vessel and returned to Southampton). Written several passage plans for owners. A number of owners have diarized passages for me from the Med/Adriatic to Scandinavia.
With plenty of free time since residing on the banks of the Firth of Forth, I give back a lifetime’s nautical experience to assist boat owners/skippers, etc with any boating requirements they may have. I have met and discussed with many boat owners over the years, who intend to undertake great voyages and visit exotic places, with a vast percentage not being prepared. My strength is to share my experience to allow owners achieve their ambitions while on passage.
Boating has been my life and the ability to assist others is essential.
With there being many disability sailing organisations, the gist of this mission is clear, it is to enhance what is already available with fresh impetus and funds for offshore sailing and passage making for the disabled and less able-bodied, which we as sailors take for granted.
The mission is in two parts:-
Firstly, to purchase of a 30-40ft yacht, to be rigged for single handed sailing, and to cover the costs for a UK circumnavigation. The possibility also exists for someone to donate a suitably rigged yacht.
Secondly, to use this yacht to solo circumnavigate the UK to raise funds by, sponsorship, to obtain six yachts for the disabled sailor to use in offshore and passage making. Something we do in the course of our daily lives and take for granted.
World sporting events, including the Paralympics, have shown what achievements the disabled can reach. Water sports for the disabled are not new, and different countries approach it in fundamentally different ways. Dingy sailing and tall ships for the disabled have been going for many decades. Offshore and coastal sailing is limited and very much piecemeal arrangements. SFAC has been designed to spread the word.
As an island nation, the UK or Rule Britannia did rule the waves and it was the able bodied that were at the forefront to protect the British Empire. Today, Paralympians, especially the disabled sailors across the globe, have come into their own. Let’s give more disabled persons the opportunity that we able bodied open water sailors have, by supporting this initiative and begin by liking us virtually and then how we can help in real terms.
As progression is made in turning this project into a reality, frequent updates will be made publicly. The hunt is now on to find a suitable 30-40ft yacht. The purchase will depend on the level of crowdfunding initially received. The survey, insurance, any changes necessary to rig/rigging/sails, electronics, electrics, the fabric of the vessel itself, along with full paper charts, pilot books, sailing directions, etc will all be added into the budget. Victualing, diesel, gas, marina/mooring fees may also be donated.
Ideally the passage will begin and run from 1 May to 30 September as coastal hops, using marinas, anchorages, moorings as necessary and night passages only as and when necessary. Passage planning has already started and the passage itself will be in a clockwise direction.
May 2017 is a strong and feasible option for starting the passage, subject to funding starting to flow, but all options are flexible.
Thank you in advance for any questions or offers of assistance, other than funding. Yes, I have studied all the national and international organisations. The actual project has been launched month, but much has already been undertaken behind the scenes.
My aim is not to provide funds for one charity to the exclusion of another. It is to raise awareness in parallel with fund raising and then with discussion with others. Raising funds underpins the way I go forward and inturn depends on the amount of funds raised. It is only as one has got older and time to reflect, that it becomes clearer where one's energy should be placed. For me this project will provide much needed funds for suitable yachts for the less fortunate disabled who cannot afford to sail. To see a new charity created for this will mean very much to me. If there is a legacy that I can leave, it has to be this one.
The circumnavigation of the UK will be solo and I am preparing my normal passage plan the same way as I would for other passages. To gain maximum exposure for the cause, I have to visit as many locations as possible and why I feel it prudent to utilise the full months between May to September, in a clockwise direction, starting from and finishing on the River Forth.
I am thankful to be able to rely on social media and word of mouth to start this ball rolling. I appreciate in advance any interest that may be shown. If you see that there is some way, however small, you can interact with this project it would be most welcomed.
Thank you
Martin Parr
Organizer
Martin Parr
Organizer
