First blind sailors circumnavigating the globe

by Graeme Adam on 25 May 2007 In a world first, two blind American sailors circumnavigating the globe docked in Sydney Harbour this afternoon after a grueling voyage from New Zealand. Scott Duncan and Pamela Habek tied up at the marina of host club Sailability Rushcutters Bay to a hearty welcome from representatives of Sailability NSW and Vision Australia.

As they stepped off their specially-adapted 39 foot Pearson cruising cutter 'Starship', the pair were greeted by Vision Australia’s blind adventurer Nick Gleeson, Sailability Penrith’s blind president Ben Felten and Sailability Rushcutters Bay president Stephen Churm.

Pam and Scott first set out from the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco in 2004. Their passage to Australia has taken them across the Tasman Sea, which lived up to its reputation with a combination of flat calm and 30 knot gales, including a freak five metre wave that knocked the yacht 40 degrees sideways.
'One of our primary goals is to spread a message of independence,' says Scott. 'Crossing the Tasman and reaching Australia safely was a very big milestone. It represents a major achievement for all people with disabilties, and provides blind adults and children in Australia and throughout the rest of the world with a positive example.'

This philosophy is very closely aligned with Vision Australia and in particular to Nick Gleeson, who in 2001 became the first blind Australian to reach the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro.

'Vision Australia works in partnership with the community to support people who are blind or have low vision to participate in any part of life they choose, whether that’s reading a text book at school, finding a job or sailing around the world,' he added.

Sailability NSW is a volunteer-driven organization fostering sailing for young and old, regardless of whether they have a disability or are fully-abled. It is part of a national network of branches in every state and territory.
In 2006, blind sailors Don Scott of Sailability Dobroyd and Paul Borg of Sailability Gippsland Lakes received the Yachting Australia Sailor of the Year Award for Sailors with a Disability. (Paul Borg last night received the same award for the second year sharing the honour with blind sailor Kylie Forth from Sailability Royal Perth Yacht Club.)

Sailability NSW will be staging a barbecue for Pam and Scott for all Sailability members and supporters in Sydney at Sailability Dobroyd on 10th June at 12 noon. Call Ben Felten at (0401) 710945.