Wave 105

A disabled sailor from the south has been selected to take part in a spectacular flotilla to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

Geoff Holt from Botley's specially adapted powerboat will be among a thousand boats making up the flotilla to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

It will be the largest flotilla in modern times on the river with rowing boats, working boats and pleasure vessels of all shapes and sizes beautifully dressed with streamers and Union Jacks, stretching for an estimated twelve and a half miles.

It has proved extremely popular with three boats applying for every place.

The pageant organisers and representatives from the river community were involved in the selection process which included considering safety, fitness-for-purpose and range of vessel type as well as exploring whether the vessel was of historical significance or had an interesting story to tell.

At the end of 2011, organisers confirmed to applicants the lucky boats who will take part in this historic event. 

Geoff has been speaking to Wave 105's Jason Beck:

Geoff is delighted that his boat was one of those chosen to take part.
“I’m very proud indeed”, said Geoff. 

“She is a magnificent boat and I’m thrilled to bits that I will have the opportunity to be there, on the Thames, playing a part in the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations”.

Wetwheels is not just any boat, she has been designed and built specifically to enable disabled people get afloat on a motor boat. 

The 9 metre Cheetah catamaran built in Ventnor on the Isle of Wight is made extra stable with her two hulls and she has a side-opening door allowing easy access for wheelchairs. 

She is fully MCA coded for up to 10 passengers of which three can be wheelchair users.

“She made her debut at the Southampton Boat Show in September and has already taken more than 250 disabled people out on the water” continued Geoff. 

“It is my hope to identify some disabled children within Hampshire to join me on Wetwheels and I am speaking to a couple of charities of which I am patron to identify the right individuals who will be aboard for the Pageant”.

“It is a long journey around to the Thames from her berth at Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth and we need to find the funds to pay for the fuel and the skipper but we can worry about that nearer the time, right now we are just celebrating the fact we have been chosen.”

Every vessel will proudly take its place in the flotilla alongside Her Majesty the Queen and other members of the Royal Family aboard the Royal Barge, The Spirit of Chartwell.

It will be a once in a lifetime moment for all of us aboard Wetwheels as part of this glorious moment in our rich royal history.