A new pontoon providing easy access for people with disabilities has opened at a Rickmansworth sailing club.
The Lord Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, Lady Verulam, cut the ribbon to open the new wooden pontoon in Bury Lake on Monday afternoon on behalf of The Colne Valley Sailors (CVSS).
The pontoon, located next to the club’s much smaller existing pontoon, is also wheelchair accessible and has a hoist to lower disabled sailors into the boat.
However it is also both wider and stronger than its predecessor. It was installed over the winter thanks to a grant from Sport England.
CVSS trustee Elaine Coombs said: "It makes life easier for us because we can move people into boats a lot quicker.
"Disabled people feel secure on it because it is a very big structure."
The club has helped encourage people with disabilities to sail since 2001, ages of members range from three to 85.
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