Broader horizons | Auckland News | Local News in Auckland

Valerie Schuler talks to a loving father with a vision for his intellectually disabled son and others like him, but he needs help to turn his $2 million catamaran dream into reality.

His parents' world changed when little Charlie Farthing was born.

The 5-year-old from Devonport has Down Syndrome, a heart condition and a rare form of epilepsy. The first months of his life were spent at Starship Children's Hospital.

It was in hospital, looking out over the Hauraki Gulf, that Charlie's dad Jon Kirk thought about building a specially adapted yacht for children with disabilities and their families.

"You are thrown into a new world when you have a disabled child," says Mr Kirk.

"There's a lot of struggles and you meet a lot of other parents going though a tough time. I was looking out at the ocean from a hospital window one day and that's how the idea germinated."

A few years on, Mr Kirk has set up the Disabled Sailing Trust. He aims to build a 16m catamaran that will allow children with disabilities and their families to access Auckland's harbour.

Charlie's mum, Cheryl Farthing, says it's difficult to find activities that both disabled children and their able-bodied siblings can enjoy.

"We used to have a small yacht before Charlie was born, but we had to sell it because it was just too hard to take him on holidays."

Sailability Auckland offers sailing classes for people of all abilities. But these are onboard  dinghies and small 2.4m yachts.

"What they do is great, but we want to be able to offer overnight adventures for the whole family," says Mr Kirk.

Once the Disabled Sailing Trust catamaran is completed, up to 20 passengers of all abilities will be able to explore Auckland's coastline.

Mr Kirk plans to work with schools and disability groups to take people out on day and overnight trips.

"We want to offer them things like fishing, kayaking, swimming and snorkelling - things others take for granted, but that are really hard to access for those with special needs."

Charlie thinks it's a brilliant idea. Just mention the word "water" and his little face lights up.

Designs for the boat have been completed by Auckland company Roger Hill Yacht Design.

Special features include wheelchair ramps from the dock to the yacht and up to the foredeck.

There's a hydraulic platform to assist people in and out of the water, wheelchair-friendly cabins, toilets and showers and lifts down to the hull. Hydraulic and electronic adapted controls will enable all passengers to be active members of the crew.

But it's a long haul until the dream can become a reality. It will cost about $2 million to build the yacht and Mr Kirk is still looking for sponsors. Ideally, he would like to have the yacht built and on the water within 18 months.

More info, see: www.disabledsailingtrust.org.nz or email: trustees@disabledsailingtrust.org.nz