Second Broads day boat for disabled people

Following the popularity of its first boat launched three years ago, Kingline Cruisers of Horning on the River Bure have taken charge of a second electric day boat which can be driven by people in wheelchairs.

The new 12 seater boat which can take four wheelchairs and has an electric lift, offers people the choice of steering with a remote control joystick or making a lateral transfer into the boat's driving seat.

Owner Robert King said: "People shunned driving with the joystick on the first boat so now we have made it easy for them to climb into the driving seat."

Kingline Cruisers believes it is the only company in the country to have wheelchair accessible self drive day boats for hire. "There has been a big demand for the first boat," said King, "Nine out of 10 of our customers last year were in a wheelchair. We often had to turn people away."

The specially commissioned £26,500 launch was built by Phoenix Fleet of Potter Heigham and received a £6,000 grant from the Broads Authority's Sustainable Development Fund.

The boats are an extra facility for Kingline's six riverside lodges, five of which were commended in the Holiday Care Awards as suitable accommodation for disabled people. But the boats are also available for hire to everyone by the hour or the day.

Kingline can be contacted on: 01692 630297.