Ocean Marina Yacht Club in Pattaya has invested in Thailand’s burgeoning disabled sailing scene with the purchase of eight SV14 boats from Fareast Yachts. With limited sailing opportunities for disabled people in the kingdom, Ocean Marina has taken the lead with the purchase of what will be the world’s first SV14 fleet, and expects to take delivery January, 2019.
“Ocean Marina Yacht Club have been promoting sailing opportunities in Thailand and an avid supporter of grassroots sailing for many years, and now we have taken this one step further with the purchase of the eight SV14s which we will use to offer safe sailing opportunities to people with disabilities,” said Scott Finsten, Harbour Master of Ocean Marina Yacht Club.
A two-person modern dinghy, the SV14 is designed for people with disabilities and is the result of a global collaborative design and build effort initiated by Peter Jacops, founder of Disabled Sailing Thailand, led by Simonis Voogd Design and built by Fareast Yachts in China.
“This is an exciting development by Ocean Marina Yacht Club and I commend them and Kirati Assakul, Director of Ocean Property Co., Ltd. who initiated the idea, on their vision and desire to make sailing more accessible. I will be working with the Ocean Marina Yacht Club team as well as Disabled Sailing Thailand (the official para sailing body in Thailand) to kick start the class in Thailand with a view to host the “Thailand Open Parasailing Championship” at the 2019 Top of the Gulf Regatta,” commented William Gasson, Co-Chairman of the Top of the Gulf Regatta Organising Committee.
Representing the Thai Paralympic Committee, Narumon Subsri was present at the official announcement of the SV14 purchase during the recent Ocean Marina Pattaya Boat Show, and together with Ocean Marina Yacht Club and Top of the Gulf Regatta will look to grow the sport in Thailand.
“While we look to the future and possibility of Thailand having an official Para Sailing Team, our immediate goals are to install the fleet at Ocean Marina Yacht Club, establish the class in Thailand and offer sailing opportunities for people with disabilities,” added Finsten.
The 2019 Top of the Gulf Regatta presented by Ocean Marina will take place from 30th April to 5th May.
