Accessible Expedition Dazcat “Artemis”
Built by Multimarine, ‘Artemis’ is a fully wheelchair accessible sailing boat, set for circumnavigation and exploration. Her design incorporates a number of innovations including the radical sail configuration, aimed at enabling singlehanded sailing from the wheelchair and much, much more.
Tom’s enthusiasm for exploration, on and in the water and on land, is apparent in everything he does. Tom is a technical dive instructor, trained in using a re-breather (no bubbles) so he can get closer to marine animals. Artemis is also a dive platform and comes equipped with a compressor and bottle storage. Also a bespoke landing craft type tender that can carry his 4×4 ‘terrain-hopping’ wheelchair/ buggy.
The series of videos on this page show you Artemis at various stages of the build and launch, including the first test sail and an interior tour. Also an early interview with Darren Newton, designer and a pre-launch interview with owner Tom where he talks about the boat and how it has been working with Multimarine.
2023 – Artemis Rounds The Horn
In 2023, Artemis accomplished a groundbreaking milestone by successfully navigating Cape Horn, marking a momentous achievement. Tom and Hannah’s journey was beautifully captured by their friends from the sailing YouTube Channel, Sailing Sweet Ruca.
Following this triumph, Tom and Hannah continued their exhilarating two-handed adventure. This time through the enchanting but rugged, snow and ice covered Patagonia Channel. To add to their increadible 2023 journey, they also later announced their engagement. You can follow their extraordinary expedition on Artemis’ Instagram.
Catching up with Artemis in the Caribbean
‘Artemis’ interior tour and first sail.
Interview with Tom as ‘Artemis’ approaches launch day.
Press & Media
Rugby England profile Tom and his plans with ‘Artemis’ in this great article…
“Tom Hughes was catastrophically injured playing rugby having just returned as an Army captain from a tour of Afghanistan but in the intervening decade his achievements have been nothing less than extraordinary.
Right now he is vaccinating people against the coronavirus, having completed all the appropriate training, at London’s Science Museum which he found a “wonderfully appropriate location”.
This comes after spending months creating a remarkable 4×4 camper van as a lockdown project. Being designed and kitted out by Tom, it is unique. Having bought it on eBay, he created a self-sufficient vehicle with its own communications system and power. This monster can pump up its own tyres, lift Tom into bed, stow his Terrainhopper all-terrain wheelchair and power its own kitchen. It has souped up suspension, outstanding insulation and can go where no ordinary camper van could ever venture…”
Rugby England visit and interview Tom on pre-departure day
“Catastrophically injured playing rugby having just returned as an Army captain from a tour of Afghanistan, Tom Hughes has set off on his accessible catamaran Artemis to sail the world, having planned the trip for six years.
Leaving on the tide from Plymouth’s Mayflower Dock seemed appropriate as Tom’s intrepid spirit matches that of the early Pilgrims who set out for the New World. Much of Tom’s trip will, however, see him exploring new worlds under the ocean.
A Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, his exploration on land, coast and beneath the sea, sees him well equipped…”
Rugby England’s video interview with Tom via Twitter
"I’m heading to Gibraltar, then the east coast of Spain, north Africa and then across to the Caribbean. I’ll be away for a couple of years.”@TheRugbyCharity client Tom Hughes set off this morning to sail the world ?
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) September 23, 2021
His remarkable story ? https://t.co/ouK1TpgrKp pic.twitter.com/86hlw4STYx
Artemis will operate as a dive platform capable of long-distance expeditionary cruising with up to eight crew on board. Her design will allow access to shallow waters, thereby extending the potential cruising grounds.
Leaving the shed, getting rigged, launch and Tom’s first voyage on Artemis.
In-build interview with Tom
Early-build interview with designer Darren Newton
Artemis from Expedition Thomas Hughes on Vimeo.
Multimarine’s accessible builds brought us more transatlantic links in the form of Dan and Kika from Sailing Uma.
They first encountered the Impossible Dream, providing accessible sailing for all in the US, then came to visit us here at the Multihull Centre Yard to meet Tom and Artemis…
Interested in building an accessible sailing catamaran?
Contact us to discuss how you’d like to tailor a Dazcat to your needs.
Location
Foss Quay
Mill Road
Millbrook
Cornwall
PL10 1EN
United Kingdom
Phone
(44) 1752 823 900
Visit the Contact Us page for details.