Emsworth charity Free Spirit of the Sea launches new £500,000 boat for young people in coastal communities

A charity’s vision of creating a floating classroom for young people in coastal communities has become a reality after relentless fundraising.

Emsworth-based charity, Free Spirit of the Sea, unveiled its new vessel - FreeSpirit - at Port Solent Marina last month, marking the birth of an ongoing project, aimed at supporting young people in disadvantaged coastal areas through a range of educational and wellbeing sessions, as well as environmental projects.

The £500,000 boat has been developed as a multipurpose floating space, offering a calm environment for therapy, an on-water classroom and a platform for community activities.

The new vessel, which was revealed on April 9, can accommodate up to 12 passengers at sea and up to 24 people when moored, allowing it to support a wide range of group sessions and activities.

The idea behind the charity was born in 2022 after a group of students were asked to make a trophy for a Hampshire-based fishing competition, prompting businesses involved to dive into the concept of students creating a special boat. As the project blossomed, Cheetah Marine, Ventnor, started building the boat, with apprentices from Hythe Marine services involved in the full fit of the vessel.

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Ross Honey, founder of Free Spirit of the Sea, said: “What started as a vision to create something meaningful for coastal communities is now a reality.

“FreeSpirit is about creating access, opportunity and hope – giving more people the chance to get out on the water and experience something they might not otherwise have access to.”

The project, which is rooted in the concept of “blue health”, has discovered first hand that time spent on, or near, the sea can improve both physical and mental well-being.

Designed to be fully accessible, the vessel will also support marine conservation and research, including coastal clean-ups and biodiversity projects, while working with schools, colleges, charities and healthcare organisations.

The project has been backed by a wide range of industry partners, including Navico Group, Survitec, Brittany Ferries, Premier Marinas, Cheetah Marine and YETI, alongside other organisations and volunteers.

Since launching, FreeSpirit has already started supporting local groups, with the charity partnering with Autism on the Water to take more than 40 passengers out on the water across a series of trips. Supporters have said the initiative responds to a growing need for innovative, community-based approaches to mental health and wellbeing, particularly in coastal areas where access to services can be more limited.

Continued fundraising will allow for the project to develop and grow over time so it can reach more coastal communities. For more information about Free Spirit of the Sea, click here.