Our History

The idea for a boat which could cater for people living with disability was conceived by the Acorns Day Centre in 1982. It was in 1984 that a boat was purchased and the Friends of MV Freedom charity formed as the organisation to administer and fund-raise to keep the boat running.

The first boat operated for ten years with various skippers at the helm. At that time that boat could not reach the ever more stringent safety standards, so in 1994 the second MV Freedom was purchased. This boat was a Blyth catamaran which was being used for commercial fishing. Modifications were made to convert her for passenger use and to allow full wheelchair access with comfortable, secure seating. Further changes were carried out in early 2012 to enclose most of the deck area to make it more of an ‘all weather’ boat, so that passengers can be kept warm and dry, in inclement conditions. The third boat, another Blyth catamaran, was purpose built and was delivered in 2021.

The Marine and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is the regulatory body that validates the safety of the vessel and there are strict rules and regulations to be met. Regular checks are carried out on engines and equipment to make sure that it is all up to standard. The skippers and crew are trained annually to the appropriate levels. Safely equipment, including life-rafts and life jackets, and the boat’s installed equipment must also be of a certain standard so that the vessel is safe and meets necessary safety standards. .

In 2012 Friends of MV Freedom were delighted to be tasked with the honour of carrying the Olympic Torch across Weymouth Bay, signifying the start of the sailing events of the Paralympics.

The present boat will future proof the charity for now and will provide our passengers with the proven benefits of therapeutic sea going passages along the Jurassic coast, that have become the highlight of the day for so many of our users. The trustees are aware that the present vessel will, eventually, need to be replaced so the charity continues to invest in a boat replacement fund.