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Derek Lee

Diagnosed suffering from Peripheral Neuropathy, this caused a number of ‘lifestyle’ and work problems initially so the only work he could do was of a consultative nature. Since the initial diagnosis the condition has worsened and although the prognosis then was that he would need to use a wheelchair within four years this has proved, whether through determination or lifestyle management, to be erroneous. The experience gained through working in the voluntary sector has enabled Derek to offset his problems through better management of his condition. Through this connection he is fully cognisant with the ramifications of the Disability Discrimination Act and puts this knowledge to use in the furtherance of his leisure activities.

During the time as Managing Director of Delta Design, his own company, He was asked to join the board of Sheffield Design Council and also to become a member of the ‘Kenning Building Steering Committee’, the forerunner and cornerstone of Sheffield’s Cultural Industries Quarter. This was cutting edge development at the time and has since become the blueprint for similar initiatives throughout the UK. During this time Derek also worked for several Local and National Government departments including Sheffield City Council, Manpower Services Commission and Skills Training Agency. This included conducting surveys and implementing policy and standards changes in various departments including Job Centres nation-wide. All Derek’s professional life has been concerned with standards. Whether this was to do with presentation, codes of conduct, customer and client relations or training.

Derek Lee Sailing CV:

Some 50 years sailing and racing experience from 10’ – 67’ Owned various dinghies and keelboats including RNSA 14, Laser 13, Orkney Skiff, Flying Fifteen,* Squib, Sunbird, Wanderer, Sandweaver, *International 2.4Mr Larger boats owned include Drascombe Lugger, *Drascombe Longboat Cruiser *Teliga Sportina 21 Trailer Sailer. Other larger boats sailed include. Sailfish 565, First 26 (raced), Westerley Centaur, Contessa 32, Sigma 33 (raced) Westerley Fulmar, Queen 38, Moody 32CC. Dehler 43 CWS, Global Challenge 67, Oceanis 38. *Denotes current boats.

Areas cruised as skipper – Walton Backwaters. Suffolk/Essex Coast. Solent, English Channel - Brighton to Plymouth. West Coast of Scotland. Inner and Outer Hebrides. Holland and Ijselmeer. Wadensee.

Passages include Heybridge – Ijmuiden. Den Helder – Wolverstone. Milford Haven – Kinsale – Fastnet – Kinsale – Milford Haven. Ullapool – St Kilda – Stornaway. Brighton - Plymouth

Member of (original) Sailability, member of Fieldfare Trust until 1999. Founded Derbyshire Sailing Endeavour 1993, Founded South Yorkshire Sailing Endeavour 1999. Offshore Member Kyles of Bute Sailing Club. Member of Carsington Sailing Club since opening in 1992. Served as Commodore 1996 and 1997. Elected Honorary Life Member 1999. Formed Carsington Sailability 2000. Elected to RYA Sailability Consultative Committee.

Have personally raised over £150,000 to purchase boats and equipment to help get people with disabilities in boats and on the water.

Qualifications. Sail – RYA Yachtmaster. - Power – RYA Powerboat Instructor Level II RYA Powerboat II certificate. First Aid and VHF (restricted).

Joined Carsington Sailing Club in 1992 when I brought with me the monies that had been left over in the Ladybower account when LSC was finally disbanded. This amounted to some £2,000 and it had been agreed at the winding up meeting of LSC that this money should go to purchase a dory to be named ‘Spirit of Ladybower’. Served on CSC Committee prior to being elected Commodore for the two year term 1996/97. Was elected Honorary Life Member of the Club at the 1999 AGM.

I was diagnosed suffering from Peripheral Neuropathy in 1990. This is a ‘dying back’ of the nervous system and causes severe muscle loss, balance and dexterity problems. Wanting to know more about the effects of disability within the sailing community I took part in the World Championship Trials in Squibs at Rutland in 1994. It was through my experience there and meeting guys in wheelchairs who still managed to sail that I decided to set up Derbyshire Sailing Endeavour to buy boats and equipment to encourage people with disabilities to get out on the water.

An innovative project at Carsington has been the funding of a Prototype Sailfish 565 Cruiser which, together with funding from Sportsmatch, The National Lottery and financial help from the manufacturer, Bridgeness Boats, has made available a small cruiser with offshore capability for use by mixed ability crews. This has been done by careful adaptation of the design and controls being lead back to the cockpit. It is envisaged to extend the possible offshore use of this boat by various disabilities through the fitting of an audio compass (for the visually impaired) and a mobile electric winch to help with launch and recovery.

In May 2002 I was elected onto the RYA Sailability Consultative Committee to the trustees. But this was discontinued in 2004. It was shortly after this that I decided to initiate an internet support group called Disabled Sailing Forum. (disabled.sailing.forum@smartgroups.com)

The latest project has been to fund a mixed ability powerboat and it was decided to use a Pioner –Multi with a drop-down bow door for this purpose. This craft is designed and built in Norway; it is powered by a 50hp 4 stroke engine and has been on station in March 2004.

Derek Lee March 2004.

Derek Lee c/o Carsington Sailing Club, Carsington Water, Ashbourne, Derbyshire DE6 1SU	Tel : 01629 540609 Mob: 07762 193305 Email: bythelee@RYA-Online.net
© Derek Lee 2005	design: www.hammerdesign.co.uk
Disclaimer: Information presented in this website is provided for guidance only. You are responsible for taking your own legal advice with regard to its use. Derek Lee accepts no liability for damages incurred through its use or associated with its use. DSE is an independent entity and is not affiliated to, or part of, any other sailing organisation.