A group of blind sailors returned to the water in Mylor on Saturday as the sun shone on the start of another sailing season.

Members of the Cornish-wide charity Blind at Sea (BATS) gathered on the pontoon at Mylor Yacht Harbour as the club boat, Mandarin of Hurst, was given her first airing of 2016.

Skippered by bosun Kevin Cooper, she had spent the morning undergoing a shakedown sail, before returning to harbour where it was reported that all was in working order.

Visually impaired sailor Ted Uren, who was on board for the sail, said: “It was great to be on the water after the winter and I’m also really looking forward to fishing BATS.”

Carole Woodman, who was on the pontoon with her guide dog Wilson, said: “It’s been a lovely afternoon. Beautiful sunny weather and it’s been really great to see BATS members and be here in Mylor at the start of sailing.”

Commodore Dr. Fran Branfield who was on board with her guide dog Nathan agreed, and added: “We are all looking forward to a busy sailing season. Thanks to the generosity of our loyal group of skippers, who bring their yachts to BATS events, we are able to give blind and visually impaired people from all over Cornwall the experience of sailing in our beautiful waters.

“This coming year we will have a weekend sail, enjoy on-shore barbecues and we will take part in racing from Mylor. Our volunteer drivers and helpers all have the opportunity to learn to sail alongside the visually impaired crew.”

BATS is always looking for more volunteers: visually impaired adults, drivers, skippers with and without yachts, and helpers. For more information contact Fran on 01872 552015 or Fran@blindatsea.co.uk, or visit www.blindatsea.co.uk