Scott Rains
The Rolling Rains Report
http://www.RollingRains.com
From May 25 through May 30, 2008 I tested out the accessible small-ship cruise of Glacier Bay, Alaska. This device -- the McKinnon Hugger -- was a key "freedom machine" that allowed me to move from the boat to a sea kayak each day. Another helpful piece of outdoor adventure gear for transfers to bush planes and kayaks was the Comfort carrier by Gimp Gear.
Waypoint Yacht Charter Services books the wheelchair-adapted wood-hulled yacht the Sea Wolf. The Sea Wolf is a World War II minesweeper just like Jacques Cousteau's original ship the Calypso.
The yacht is small enough to be intimate (six cabins/ three wheelchair usable.) It is retrofitted with wheelchair lifts to each of the three main decks. As Sea Wolf cruises Glacier Bay, Alaska passengers with disabilities can enjoy the sea kayaking or skiff excursion options because the owner has installed a unique lift system.
I was out of my wheelchair and into my kayak with the splash skirt fitted down in 3 minutes thanks to a skilled and attentive crew.
I travel around the world researching inclusion in tourism (just back from Brazil and on to India next month). There is a growing base of practitioners, venues, and travelers with disabilities developing a sustainable adventure tourism market. This project in Alaska is one of the pioneering efforts in this emerging field.
To take the
trip yourself or discover the worldwide fleet of accessible small boat cruises
gathered by Waypoint Yacht Charter Services contact:
Sherri Backstrom
Waypoint Yacht Charter Services
[email protected]
www.waypointcharter.com/accessible_travel.htm
888-491-2949 or 360-656-5934