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The Boats
Tweedability are specially designed fishing boats for disabled anglers which have been designed by a collaborative group of the Wheelyboat Trust, the R.T.C., and the Tweed Foundation.
Unlike boats for disabled anglers on still waters, Tweedability boats have been specifically designed for use on fast-flowing rivers such as Tweed. The user does not have to leave his or her wheelchair and accesses the boat by a ramp from the bank with a hydraulic lift inside the boat lowering him to the correct height for fishing. The boats can be powered by an outboard motor or rowed. The boatmen who use them report that they are very manoeuvrable despite the additional ballast weight which provides extra stability.
Logistics
The boats are available to any disabled or less-abled angler who would like to use them. They have been well trialled and work extremely well but as they has to be moved around the River access arrangements are crucial.
Special training is being provided for boatmen, particularly with respect to Health and Safety, and suitable access and launch sites on the Tweed are being logged for both the boat and wheelchairs. In places this may require some additional work on surfaces to the riverbank and the use of moveable matting is being tested.
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