Gosport MP Caroline Dinenage celebrated a week of excellent nautical news for her local area this morning, when she welcomed the arrival of the Sailing Sclerosis Foundation's Oceans of Hope yacht in Portsmouth during questions to the Minister for Culture, Media and Sport.
The Oceans of Hope circumnavigation is a project which gives people living with MS an opportunity to play an active part in a 61,000 kilometre sailing voyage. Having set off from Copenhagen last month, the team will arrive in Portsmouth today.
The arrival of Oceans of Hope follows Monday's announcement that Portsmouth Harbour will be the new home to Sir Ben Ainslie's America's Cup sailing team.
Speaking in the Chamber, Caroline said:
"Will the Minister join me in welcoming two pieces of excellent nautical news for Portsmouth Harbour area; not only will it be playing host to Sir Ben Ainslie's new America's Cup sailing team hub, but today it welcomes the Oceans of Hope, the first yacht to complete a global circumnavigation with a working crew with multiple sclerosis, including my Gosport constituent Phil Gowers."
The Minister responding, Helen Grant MP, replied:
"Of course I will congratulate them and I think the Oceans of Hope project is a really fantastic one. The crew are a real inspiration and they deserve our warmest congratulations."
Since becoming Gosport's MP, Caroline has worked hard to promote the area as a world-class marine and sailing destination so the arrival of these two significant ventures come as very welcome news.
As a keen supporter of the MS Society, earlier this year Caroline abseiled down the Spinnaker Tower to raise vital funds for the charity.
