Have you heard of the yacht called "Hansa"? It is a small yacht developed by Australian Chris Mitchell. It was designed to realize "inclusive sailing," which allows people with disabilities and those without to enjoy sailing on the same terms.
B-EN-G has positioned "Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI)" as one of its key sustainability priorities. The Hansa Sailing Experience introduced in this article was planned as an opportunity to learn the essence of DEI through experiences that cannot be gained through classroom learning, with the aim of creating a psychologically safe work environment where each employee can understand each other and demonstrate their abilities in their own way.
A total of 38 people participated on the day, including President Haneda, 13 B-EN-G employees and their families, and 25 people involved in sailing. The entire program was carried out safely and smoothly.
Hansa Sailing embodies "Equity"
The centerpiece of this experience event was the small yacht "Hansa."
Unlike ordinary yachts, the Hansa is designed to be non-capsizing and offers a high level of safety. Furthermore, it features a simple and streamlined steering system that can be operated with one hand while seated. This allows anyone, regardless of the presence or absence of a disability, the degree of disability, physical strength, age, or gender, to row out to sea under the same conditions.
The yacht itself not only embraces the "diversity" aspect of DEI, but also embodies "equity," which creates an environment in which each individual can demonstrate their full potential. Participants were first exposed to the message conveyed by the yacht's structure itself.
Deepening mutual understanding through intensive collaboration and programs on the water
It was drizzling when we gathered, and the staff were considering changing the program to an indoor one. With a chilly north wind blowing, the participants donned life jackets and gloves and headed out onto the water fully prepared.
On the water, participants worked in pairs, receiving guidance from a parasailor with a disability, concentrating on their collaborative tasks. Reading the wind direction, controlling the sails, and steering. At first, their movements were awkward, but the moment the yacht caught the wind and began to glide across the water, the participants let out cries of joy.
Once they had become accustomed to sailing, the participants split into groups and took part in the Hanseatic Sailing Relay Competition, which everyone could take part in.
Due to the rainy weather, the afternoon program was switched to indoors. A variety of activities were carried out, including a quiz-style lecture, a gesture relay game between groups, and a game where participants competed to tie a bowline knot, a basic ropework technique.
Through these programs, participants gained a deeper understanding of the fundamental concepts of DEI and gained practical learning.
What participants learned
On the sea, position within an organization, such as job title or experience, didn't matter. Without mutual confirmation of what the members next to us were thinking and trying to do, the yacht wouldn't run smoothly. Here, everyone was an equal sailor.
What the participants felt was not a sense of special consideration being shown to anyone, but rather a sense of unity as everyone worked toward the same goal through the "fair tool" of sailing. Many participants became convinced that this is the true essence of inclusion.
The operation is simple, but even the slightest change in wind can change the ranking, which is what makes it interesting. At the same time, participants learned that it is precisely because safety is ensured that they can take on the challenge to their heart's content. This hands-on experience provided an opportunity to deepen their understanding of DEI through a hands-on experience that cannot be gained through classroom learning. Participants' surveys after the experience revealed many realizations about the true nature of DEI, and that it goes beyond mere leisure activities.
Participant comments
"I received thorough instruction on how to operate the yacht. I think we were able to build an inclusive relationship where the fact that I have a disability was not at all obvious."
"It was great to be able to compare my own experiences with the way others did things, such as operating a yacht or tying ropes. I also think it was a good thing that we had a lecture because of the rain, as it meant we had more opportunities to talk."
"I learned the importance of considering each person's individuality and treating them normally (call out to them if they seem to be in trouble, but there is no need to force yourself to do so). I also learned that when wheelchair users are in unfamiliar places, it is necessary to speak to them from the perspective that they may be in trouble, and that when a visually impaired person holds a white cane over their head, it is an SOS signal meaning 'I need help,' so I was glad to learn that there is no need to overthink how to interact with them."
"Thanks to the afternoon lectures, I was able to learn specifically about the difficulties people with disabilities face on a daily basis. I understood that it is important from an inclusive perspective to be aware of the other person's perspective and to proactively speak up if you see someone who seems to be in trouble, and this has raised my awareness."
Promoting DEI for the future of the organization
This hands-on workshop was part of B-EN-G's DEI promotion initiative, and by combining lectures and hands-on experience, it aimed to spark a change in participants' awareness and behavior. The sense of unity gained on the day - "recognizing each other's differences, taking on challenges on an equal footing, and moving forward together" - was a valuable learning experience for the participants. Building inclusive relationships among all people, regardless of whether they have a disability or not - is the essence of DEI that B-EN-G aims for in the future, and it was an important opportunity that will lead to growth for the entire organization.
B-EN-G positions DEI as an important pillar supporting value creation for the organization, and is continuously promoting measures to create a work environment where each employee feels psychologically safe.
All employees undergo human rights education and compliance training, and we are working to create a workplace free of unconscious bias and discrimination. We are also working to create an environment where all employees can demonstrate their abilities in their own way, by enhancing our support system for balancing work with childcare, nursing care, and medical treatment, promoting the active participation of women, and expanding the options for diverse work styles.
Going forward, B-EN-G will continue to focus on promoting DEI through the voluntary participation and learning of each employee, in order to realize the group's philosophy of "contributing to society through the creation of new value."
