Sailing is for everyone. For Andrew Nutton, that is the core theme of his work.
Mr. Nutton is the executive director of Sail Martha’s Vineyard, a nonprofit organization dedicated to spreading the joy of sailing. SailMobility is its adaptive sailing program, begun in 2019 by Mr. Nutton to make sure people of all abilities get a chance to be on the water.
Recently, the organization purchased six accessible Hansa boats from Singapore.
“The idea is that anybody can sail,” Mr. Nutton said. “The aim [of SailMobility] was always to work with these adaptive sailing boats.”
Currently, SailMobility works with Camp Jabberwocky and Island Autism to bring small groups of people every week on the water in a safe environment.
The keel, the structural beam of a boat that runs from the bow to the stern, is designed to ensure the sailboat doesn’t capsize. It also allows sailors of all experience levels to easily steer in various weather conditions.
“Sailing is a tricky one,” Mr. Nutton said. “It’s condition driven. For us to be able to operate in conditions with 30 knots is great.”
On Friday, Bradley Jordan MacArthur, Andres Sanchez Roa, Joseph Wheeler and Justin Corl of the Island Autism Group headed out on Hansa boats, each with a Sail MV staff member.
For 40 minutes, they were out on the water under sunny skies, while Island Autism staff members and siblings Tyler and Mason Bealmear relaxed onshore with Mr. Nutton and Edie Thorup, a SailMV summer staff member.
“After they do it the first time, they love them,” Mason Bealmear said as he watched the sailors climb into the boats.
The boats were mainly funded by MV Youth donations and proceeds from SailMV’s annual seafood buffet and auction, according to Mr. Nutton.
Ms. Thorup, who is working with Sail MV for her third summer, became emotional when talking about the launch of the new boats.
“It’s an experience you can’t really describe,” she said. “I had tears the day we launched the boat.”
As the sailors glided through the water, Tyler told Mr. Nutton how parents have approached him to express their gratitude for the SailMobility program.
“That’s what it’s all about,” Mr. Nutton said with a smile. “Also, the people who support them can sit and watch and have a moment of chill.”
The six small boats are part of a larger goal of getting more people out on the water, no matter their abilities, Mr. Nutton said.
“The idea is to have these six boats to start with and then a landing craft that would allow us to go get folks who have serious mobility issues,” he said. “We’re a holistic maritime organization, and to truly be able to say that we have to be sure that everyone can do it. [These boats are] that first step in that global operation.”
Additionally, Mr. Nutton wants to continue spreading his own passion for sailing throughout the Island.
“When we get that craft, there will be no one who can’t come sail on the Island for free, which is cool,” he said. “The transformative experiences that sailing and being on the water is unlike any other.”
For more information about Sail Martha's Vineyard visit sailmv.org.
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