PQBH Marina Guide 2022 v10

Free boat trips for the
disabled courtesy of The
Friends of Dolphin Charity
Dolphin was conceived as a special project by the
Rotary Club of Parkstone in 1979 to celebrate the 75th
Anniversary of Rotary International. The aim was
simple: to provide a specially equipped, sturdy safe
boat to give free trips to disabled persons of all ages
and disabilities, especially those in wheelchairs, in
Poole Harbour, which is the second largest natural
harbours in the world. Dolphin I was launched in 1980
and since then we have taken over 50,000 passengers.
We have, over the years, had great help and support
from the Royal Marines at their Hamworthy base, the
Poole Harbour Commissioners, the Poole Boat Haven
Marina and, also the Poole Fisherman’s Association
who very kindly allow us a berth in their end of the
Marina. Dolphin III works from the Boat Haven Marina
with the kind help and cooperation of the Marina
staff, where the pontoons allow direct loading of
wheelchairs. It must also be stressed that the whole
service is run entirely by many volunteers who willing
donate their time.
The Friends of Dolphin take the safety of both
passengers and boat most diligently and are
constantly looking at improvements. With this in mind,
regular training exercises are carried out by the
crew so that we are able to deal with any emergency
should it ever arise. We operate trips from 1st May
until 30th September each year, on average taking
over 2000 disabled passengers with their carers. The
majority of trips are around the Harbour and islands,
of which there are two in any one day, but where the
tides allow, there can be a single trip in the day up to
Wareham where our passengers enjoy a fish and chip
lunch on board before returning down river to Poole.
Although the majority of our passengers are mainly
from Dorset and Hampshire, we also have many who
holiday in the area from many parts of the UK.
In May 2018 the Lord Lieutenant of Dorset, Angus
Campbell, presented The Friends of Dolphin with the
prestigious Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service,
known as the MBE for Charities. Our Chairman, Ray
Kipling, commented “We are absolutely thrilled to
have been recognised in this way. It is a reflection of
many years of hard work by hundreds of volunteers
who have brought so much happiness to all our
passengers”. In September 2018, the Lord Lieutenant
also kindly came to present a certificate and flowers
to our 50,000th passenger… another milestone since
we started in 1980.
For more information please visit: www.thefriendsofdolphin.co.uk
DOLPHIN III
The Friends of Dolphin wish to thank the Poole Harbour Commissioners and the staff
of the Boat Haven for their help and assistance over the years.
We have now given free trips to over 50,000 disabled persons of all ages and disabilities
since 1980, and rely entirely on fund raising and donations to run the boat. Should any
disabled group or individual wish to book a trip or if you wish to give a donation to
Dolphin, then please ring:
Bob Irwin on 01258 875806