Amistad Tall Ship
Plymouth Port
AMISTAD America, Inc
746 Chapel Street
Suite 300
New Haven, CT 06510
Phone: 203-495-1839
Toll Free: 866-AMISTAD
http://www.amistadamerica.org/
It was an exciting 4th of July weekend in Plymouth; with music, fireworks and 3 tall ships docked in historic Plymouth Harbor for
Sail Plymouth 2009.
Wednesday I saw the
Peacemaker – The Twelve Tribes Tall Ship docked at
the
Frazier Memorial State Pier next to
Mayflower II. Yesterday my Aunt Nancy, Tony, Kate and I went to see the Amistad docked next to
Captain John’s Boat-Whale Watching at historic Plymouth Town Wharf. Both tall ships stopped in Plymouth before sailing to
Sail Boston ’09.
The Amistad allowed visitors for a minimal cost. The main deck is wheelchair accessible yet there was no wheelchair access from the dock to the ship’s main deck. The visitor’s ramp leading from the dock to the deck was too narrow and there were a few small steps on both ends. The crew was very kind, courteous and respectful. They were so nice to offer to lift my wheelchair onto the ship. My Aunt and friends thought it was risky so I decided against it.
I really wanted to see what it felt like to be on Amistad for there is so much history I learned from seeing Steven Spielberg’s movie, ‘Amistad’. It’s an inspiring story of the struggle of African slaves to get their freedom. In 1839, the slaves of Sierra Leone on board the Amistad Tall Ship revolted and took command of the tall ship to secure their freedom in. The slaves eventually received their freedom in 1841.You can read all about the history of Amistad at
http://www.historynet.com/slave-mutiny-on-the-amistad.htm.
I give Amistad FIVE STARS for wheelchair accessibility when they are docked at their home port dock at Long Wharf in New Haven for it is wheelchair accessible and has a ramp and a lift installed by the City of New Haven. I give the Plymouth port ZERO STARS for proving an inaccessible ramp to the Amistad when they were docked in Plymouth. I give the Crew of the Amistad Tall Ship FIVE STARS for their kindness, sensitivity and offer of help.
July 6th, 2009 at 3:35 pm
Dear Kenny, I am responding to your evaluation of the Freedom Schooner Amistad. We are very happy that Amistad’s Crew earned 5 Stars in your eyes softening somewhat a harsh ZERO stars the ship got by herself. Let me explain certain peculiarities of the tall ships operations.
1. It is practically impossible to simultaneously fulfill the general maritime safety and construction requirements of US Coast Guard and The American with Disabilities Act (ADA) on any vessel size of the Amistad. That is recognized by the act by providing adequate exemptions for small ships operators (http://www.access-board.gov/pvaac/guidelines.htm)
2. Please keep in mind that every dock in every port is different. Tide and swell make often existing specialized facilities in certain conditions. The Amistad’s home port dock at Long Wharf in New Haven is wheelchair accessible and has a ramp and a lift installed by the City of New Haven. In fact in most of cases the shore-side gangways are provided by a local Port Authority like the gangways visible on your photos. They were provided by Plymouth port.
3. We are happy to hear that the Amistad’s crew was able to make it up for the technical shortcomings of the vessel.
4. We have published a summary of your review on our website at http://www.amistadamerica.org/content/view/1926/1/
5. Check out website http://www.jst.org.uk/ .The two tall ships Lord Nelson and Tenacious operated by Jubilee Sailing Trust are specially designed to accommodate sailors on wheelchairs and they have specially trained crew allowing event to go up the mast on special lift !!! I am familiar with the program and I wholeheartedly recommend considering a voyage. I NEVER can comprehend that a similar program can’t get proper funding in USA.
All the best
“Con Amistad” means in Spanish “with Friendship”
July 6th, 2009 at 8:21 pm
Hello Wojtek (Voytec) Wacowski,
Wow! I am deeply impressed by your understanding and sensitivity to the importance of accessibility. I’m also impressed that the Amistad’s home port dock at Long Wharf in New Haven is wheelchair accessible and has a ramp and a lift installed by the City of New Haven !!!
Even though I couldn’t board the Amistad in Plymouth, I really enjoyed seeing it and the crew was wonderful :>)
I have amended my Zero Star star rating of Amistad to FIVE STARS since their home dock is wheelchair accessible. I gave the Plymouth port ZERO STARS for providing an inaccessible ramp to the Amistad when they were docked in Plymouth.
One day I hope to visit the Amistad at their home port in New Haven
THANK-YOU!!
Kenny
July 14th, 2009 at 2:03 pm
Five stars for you Kenny. My mother ended up in a wheelchair and I have some idea what that’s about. Keep up the good work.
November 11th, 2009 at 8:53 pm
Geetings Kenny
I sailed on sv Tenacious in 2004 and yes it is designed to be wheelchair accessible. It’s a barque so lots of lines to pull on by both disabled and able bodied. Those that are disabled are engaged as much as they are able to. Night watches are awesome. No other experience matches night sailing. I highly recommend it.
Kind regards
November 12th, 2009 at 9:59 am
Hi Roman,I don’t think I’ll get to the UK but if you ever hear that the Lord Nelson or Tenacious are planning on sailing into Boston, please let me know. I’d love to go on board!! Thanks!
January 10th, 2011 at 10:40 am
I am looking the the names of American tall ships that were sailing about 200 years ago. They do not need to be still sailing, or even re-productions there-of.
Thanks,
Peter
January 10th, 2011 at 11:52 am
Hi Peter,
I have no idea what the names of thoseTall Ship are. You may want to ask the Amistad crew ..their blog is @ http://amistadamerica.wordpress.com/
Best of Luck!
Kenny