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A ten-fold increase in demand for sailing opportunities in the Irish Sea forced Sailing for the Disabled to sell their 37 foot Bavaria Pride of Mann, in favour of a larger version, capable of taking a skipper plus four disabled sailors and their our carers on sailing trips lasting up to a week.

The new yacht, which will be named Pride of Mann II by the Princess Royal, features four cabins and a saloon and has been adapted with extra grab rails and padding to accommodate a range of disabilities from learning difficulties to wheelchair users.

Funding for the new £150,000 boat, which will be used by more than 100 members of the Club in waters around Scotland and Ireland, has been achieved through the generosity of sponsors, public monies, private donations and active fundraising.

Opal Marine in Inverkip were also generous in their support of the project, waiving costs and organizing delivery in six weeks, allowing Sailing for the Disabled to prepare the yacht for a summer season of sailing.

At a special naming ceremony at Douglas Marina, chairman David McWILLIAMS, who has been blind for 40 years will join the Princess to send Pride of Mann II on her way.

'She is a magnificent boat and not only will she allow us to take more people with disabilities out on sailing adventures but we are expecting a surge in demand from people who have not yet been on the water so this is a very exciting development for us,' he enthused.