Ian Ramsay proudly supports the team as our Fleet and Mooring Director. Having spent 20 years in the Merchant Navy as an engineer and later a chief engineer, Ian was responsible for maintaining the engines of ships carrying cargo for various organisations, and has travelled the world’s waterways, visiting South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Panama and the Suez Canal; as well as the UK. Running for up to seven days per job, the engines Ian serviced were the same length as a single boat on our fleet, although five stories high.

First becoming aware of CanalAbility in 2011, when he was searching for a holiday for a friend in a wheelchair, Ian’s group had such a great time, that he decided to join the charity as a volunteer; working hard to become a crew member, and then a skipper.

Alongside boating, Ian is a keen gardener, and hopes that his role as a trustee can help enhance the continued enjoyment of our customers and in particular promote a better service for the disabled and disadvantaged clients.

Ian loves the comradery of the organisation; which can be witnessed from the staff, fellow trustees, volunteers and the clients themselves. He receives genuine joy being part of a process that ‘makes every effort to improve the day of those with disabilities and disadvantages, to forget the difficulties of life”.