Marine Insurance specialists IRCM are offering support to Wheelyboat operators who are looking for insurance advice and cover in respect of their vessels and wider insurance needs.

Wheelyboats are sourced from the Wheelyboat Trust – a registered charity dedicated to providing mobility impaired people with the opportunity to enjoy a range of boating activities. Wheelyboats are wheelchair accessible boats that provide disabled people with hassle-free and independent access to a variety of waterborne activities. They are designed to accommodate disabled people, and wheelchair users in particular, easily and safely enabling them to actively participate on the water on equal terms with their able-bodied counterparts.

The role of the Trust is to encourage and assist organisations in acquiring Wheelyboats for disabled visitors to enjoy the waterborne activities at the venue. Providing the main group benefiting from the use of the Wheelyboat are disabled people, the Trust will raise funds to bring down the cost to the operator of acquiring a vessel.

IRCM are assisting the fundraising activities of the Wheelyboat Trust through donating a percentage of all income derived from providing insurance services to Wheelyboat owners and operators. Mark Elcocks, Specialist Risks Executive with IRCM said “We are honoured to be able to work with such an important boating charity and to assist with raising funds to support its work.

“IRCM works with many boatbuilders and dealers in providing tailored insurance services to their clients” said Mark who has almost 20 years experience of assisting marine charities with their insurance programs – “We offer our properly registered introducers a bonus-building facility that gives them an additional stream of income.” The Wheelyboat Trust will receive a payment from IRCM for every insurance policy it arranges for a Wheelyboat operator.

There are currently six models of Wheelyboat operating at over 100 locations across the UK in a variety of roles ranging from pleasure boating and nature watching to powerboat training and angling. Insurance requirements will vary significantly from user to user, with some requiring a simple boat insurance policy and others a more sophisticated insurance programme that includes cover for buildings, contents, marina installations and a full range of liability insurance. As an independent specialist IRCM are able to source comprehensive, competitively priced cover to meet the specific needs of the Wheelyboat Operator.

The Trust recently exhibited its Coulam Wheelyboat V20 at Seawork International as part of its strategy to fund further charitable work through targeting the commercial workboat market. Built by Lincolnshire-based J M Coulam Boat Builders, the V20 is the Trust’s most versatile craft and can be used as a work boat as well as for safety and support. Commercial ventures are able to source a competitively-priced insurance programme that includes cover for all their requirements from IRCM.

For further information about the Wheelyboat Trust and its range of vessels go to www.wheelyboat.org

For further information about Wheelyboat Insurance, Boat Insurance and Marine Trade Insurance contact Mark Elcocks on 01902 796 793 or through markelcocks@ircmsc.co.uk

The new Wheelyboats take the first passengers for a ride
The new Wheelyboats take the first passengers for a ride