Sea without barriers during Ostend at Anchor

The actual association "Zeezien" aims to make it possible for everyone to be on the water. They want to give people with physical or mental disabilities the opportunity to broaden their horizons. For people with disabilities, wheelchair users and less mobile people in particular, it is usually not possible to sail on the North Sea.

Since 2015, Zeezien has had a good cooperation with the British Wetwheels. This organisation is a leader when it comes to sailing for people with disabilities. During Ostend at Anchor, four free departures are organised daily for organisations and associations with a functioning for people with disabilities. When the weather is nice the boat sails at sea, when the sea is too rough the boat sails in the harbour.

With their project, Zeezien wants to arouse curiosity in people with disabilities and inspire them to sail. Participants can leave their disability at the jetty and become a member of the Wetwheels crew. Their target audience is wheelchair users, people with reduced mobility and people with sensory/mental disabilities.

They receive their guests at an information stand on the Visserskaai. The general public can also ask questions about sailing for people with disabilities. Between two sailings, it is possible to pay a visit on board, so you will get a perfect idea of how everything works on board.

Active participants are given a short briefing, wheelchairs are fixed on the deck and it is compulsory to wear a lifebelt, as safety is of paramount importance. During the sailing, everyone gets the opportunity to steer the catamaran, wheelchair users can easily take place behind the steering wheel. The attraction of sailing at sea is great. The power catamaran adds speed and strengthens the powerful feeling that is present on the water.

Mrs Ann Dumarey, wife of the curator Hubert Rubbens, and Mr Carl Boenders, two special people who have a soft spot for the project, take on the godmother and godmother role. This initiative is only possible thanks to the support of the Flemish government and Ostend at Anchor.

Organisations that sail with us: Dyade, Zeemanshuis Godtshalck, Briek, Villa Vip, Ithaka.

Currently there are still a few places available, send an email to zeezien@telenet.be for more information.