When I first joined Lord Nelson in 2019, I had no idea how much that voyage would change my life. My dad had sailed my entire life but I had refused to go anywhere near boats as I was always terribly seasick. Then in 2017, my dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer, which spread to his back and damaged his spinal cord. He thought his sailing days were over, so when Spinal Injuries Ireland chartered an accessible ship to do a fundraising voyage, he very enthusiastically accepted a spot onboard; however he needed a buddy to go with him. Needless to say, I was not one of the people he asked, but when no one else could do it, I reluctantly agreed to go, accepting that I was going to hate every minute but I’d survive for 5 days. Well, I didn’t completely hate it. The Lord Nelson and Tenacious not only gave my dad the opportunity to sail again, but they also gave us the opportunity to do it together.
Since that first voyage, I have done many trips on Tenacious, eventually sailing as a watchleader & bosun’s mate, and I couldn’t be more grateful to everyone who helped me along the way. I still actually don’t really like sailing haha but I love Tenacious and the community around her. I have met countless people onboard that I would never have met in any other circumstance, from so many different walks of life and with such different experiences to my own. I have struggled with depression and anxiety throughout my life, and being on Tenacious was a lifeline for me. I honestly can’t believe all that I have accomplished since joining this ship; I have learnt so much, not only about sailing but about myself, and I have gained self-confidence that I was so desperately lacking when I first set foot onboard. I hope in the future, many more people have the opportunity to have this experience.