Sailing charity's mock sea rescue

A sailing charity is planning to stage a mock sea rescue in Maryport's harbour at the weekend Spectators are welcome to attend the event, which is to be held in Maryport Basin at 12.30pm on Saturday. Solway Adventure Sailing Club provides sailing trips for disabled and elderly people and disadvantaged children and it is important that its crew is well-drilled in how to handle an emergency situation. The club’s Bavaria 38 yacht, Solway Adventurer, will take part in the event, with Workington Lifeboat staff playing the part of casualties. Maryport and Silloth inshore rescue teams will also be involved in the mock rescue, which is weather dependent. Club chairman Ged Doran said he hoped the event would help to raise the profile of the charity and encourage more people to get involved. Mr Doran said: “We are in desperate need of additional people to help out with every aspect of the operation.” The club was set up in 2000 and, after two years of fundraising, it gained charity status. Over the years, Solway Adventurer has taken small groups of eligible people on free of charge sails in the Solway Firth and beyond. Most of its original members have now left and a small band of dedicated volunteers are doing their best to keep it going. But they urgently need to find more people to act as trustees, crew, fundraisers and to provide general support to this worthwhile cause. Mr Doran said the charity needed two more trustees to meet the requirements of its constitution. He said: “We need one person to act as chairman and another as vice chair or secretary. “If we can’t get these essential members, we will not be able to continue the charity. “We will have to sell the boat and donate any assets and money to another similar charity.” He added that maintaining a sailing boat of this size in top condition is a considerable financial undertaking. He said: “I would like to thank everyone who has sponsored us over the years. “Their very generous donations have allowed us to continue to date, but the need for additional financial support is ever present.” Anyone wishing to get involved with the charity or eligible groups wanting to book a sail should email solwayasc@gmail.com or contact the group through the Solway Adventure Sailing Club on Facebook or via Twitter using @SolwayASC1.