SRMHF
SHANNON RIVER MARINE HERITAGE FOUNDATION
Accessible Boating A 501 (C) (3) Charitable Organization
Did you know that almost all people with physical disabilities or age-related issues NEVER get the opportunity to fully participate in the wonderful restorative activity of recreational fishing, sailing and boating because of problems with boarding, usage and lavatory access?
OUR MISSION
is to improve the quality of life for individuals with disabilities or age-related or other related mobility issues as well as our veterans who have been wounded mentally or physically over the course of their duties.
The SRMHF seeks to provide access to the recreational sports of boating, fishing and sailing aboard specifically-adapted yachts that have been modified to ensure the highest degree of participation regardless of the individuals’ mobility challenges.
Shannon River Marine Heritage owns and operates what is considered to be the most fully adaptive boat in the US. “Spirit of Pilar”, a 38-foot replica of Ernest Hemingway’s famous 1934 sport fishing boat “Pilar” has years of experience bringing smiles to the faces of deserving people.
THE SRMHF DESIGNED ITS SPECIALLY-ADAPTED BOATS USING THREE
CORE PRINCIPLES:
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Recreational fishing, boating and sailing is a therapeutic and curative experience that can and should be enjoyed by everyone
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Every person, regardless of physical ability or age-related mobility issues, can be an active participant in the fishing, boating and sailing experience
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Access to dignified boarding and lavatory facilities is an integral part of being an active participant to fully enjoy the experience
THE NEED
Many people have enjoyed boating, fishing and/or sailing their entire lives, then they incur a disability either through the extreme sacrifice of serving their country or have an unfortunate accident or health issue. Also, those who have lost full mobility due to age which has affected their boating opportunities. There is no reason why people with disabilities or limited mobility should be precluded from the documented psychological and curative benefits of fishing, sailing and extended outdoor boating experiences because of lavatory access and dignified boarding procedures.
We believe that with the correct boats that have our specially-engineered adaptive boating equipment installed, and with training and education, everyone, regardless of their disadvantage, can share in the joys of fishing and boating. Through participation in our program, those limited by special needs will not just be passive passengers, they will have the supervised opportunity to operate and skipper the boat themselves. Our mission is that this knowledge will in turn provide life changing self-confidence to help overcome the adversity and hardship in their daily lives.
OUR FOCUS
Our focus is to (1) provide the appropriate mid-size boats that have accessible lavatory and ease-of-boarding features for extended fishing and/or day trips for affiliate clubs and (2) create an organization to open up the world of water recreation to all those with disabilities nationwide. Our powerboats and sailboats will incorporate specially engineered equipment to meet the needs of persons with disabilities who are totally precluded from this therapeutic and curative sport.
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Easy, safe dockside boarding ramp
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Flush one-level cockpit for wheelchair and limited mobility activity
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Accessible helm station
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Power-lift platform to access lavatory and galley
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Fully accessible lavatory and wide passageway
"SPIRIT OF PILAR"
For the past four years, SRMHF’s restored replica of “Pilar”, Ernest Hemingway’s 38′ sportfishing boat “Spirit of Pilar” headed south for the winter to Florida to join Shake-A-Leg Miami’s adaptive watersports community. While berthed in Miami, “Spirit of Pilar” promoted public awareness to the shortfall in therapeutic recreational boating for veterans and others with disabilities. “Spirit of Pilar” offered scheduled fishing and boating excursions free to our wounded heroes, and opportunities for all those with physical or mental challenges.
“Spirit of Pilar” is now being readied to operate out of Fairhaven/New Bedford Harbor offering fishing trips, harbor tours and exciting times in Buzzards Bay.
Please consider a tax-deductible contribution to SRMHF and help us bring happiness into deserving people’s lives.
OUR PLAN
“Spirit of Pilar’s” Contribution
After the initial startup costs, the SRMHF has a self-sustaining business model in Fairhaven/New Bedford Harbor that will allow it to expand the program regionally. When SRMHF’s flagship boat “Spirit of Pilar” is being used to take veterans and those with disabilities and limited mobility out on the water fishing, ticket sales for public harbor tours and charter fishing excursions will be a source of funds dedicated to the Shannon River Marine Heritage Foundation Program.