Icom Sponsor Blind Boat Display

Icom sponsored a very special display at RIBEX, the world's only international boat show dedicated solely to Rigid Inflatable and Inflatable Boats. On 4th-6th June, Icom not only gave half of its stand to St Dunstans, the charity that provides lifelong care for blinded ex-Service men and women but it also sponsored Mark Threadgold Challenge Display, an extraordinary display of boatmanship aboard his record holding RIB - all the more remarkable for the fact he is blind.

Mark drove a 6.5 metre Humber rib solo around the Cowes Yacht Haven receiving directions through an Icom IC-F51 Commercial VHF handheld radio together with HS-94 Headphone set. Major John Winskill from the British Army stood at the side of the pontoon giving Mark directions.

Mark said, 'Communication has to be clear concise and to the point. Your radios are excellent especially the PMR and the headset with the Boom-mic that I have been using for the display. It is a fabulous piece of kit especially riding around in boats on the equipment stays put.'

Mark demonstrated his coxswain skills for the Icom display 5 times over the 3-day show. The display included a range of manoeuvres such as deck turns, reversing the boat, turning it left and right general manoeuvring.

Mark Threadgold said, 'I first visited St Dunstan's when I lost my sight back in 2000. I went straight from Hospital and spent a year in the training centre in Ovingdean near Brighton and it was here that I was able to turn my life around completely. I used to actively take part in a number of waterborne sports and activities including diving and water skiing before I lost my sight so I had a fair amount of experience on the water. 2 years ago Major John Winskill from the British Army organised a trip around the UK. He wrote to St Dunstan's and asked if anyone wanted to take the boat around the Isle of Wight. I volunteered and ended up driving Ad Astra on a World Endurance Record around the Isle of Wight. ...an opportunity that was too good to be missed and one that lead me to put my boating skills to further use.'

Icom UK Marketing - marketing@icomuk.co.uk