Quadriplegic sailor crossing Atlantic today

[lenseman]

Leaving today, 10th December 2009, Geoff Holt embarks on Personal Atlantic, setting sail on a 60ft, purpose-built, wheelchair-accessible catamaran on a voyage across the Atlantic Ocean. The 3,000 mile journey will take him up to a month to complete, across some of the most hostile waters in the world.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8404713.stm

http://www.geoffholt.com/

The biography of Geoff Holt here:

http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/125726/Crest-of-a-wave

I wish Geoff Holt and Susana Scott safe passage.

 

[lenseman]

LATEST NEWS: 4 JAN 2009

Geoff Holt has lost all electrics and is in a spot of bother:

Last night our generator failed. Despite efforts by Susana to find the faut, it looks serious. The boat depends entirely on electricity to run its complex electronic and hydraulic systems. The backup electrical supply is an alternator on the starboard engine but this uses 5 times the fuel and we have only enough fuel for another 8 battery charges. All electronics are therefore being switched off to save power and fuel in order to have sufficient to navigate the difficult arrival in Tortola. The autopilot has also been switched off and I am manually steering the vessel with some difficulty.

http://geoffholt.com/node/153

I wish the three of them on board a safe passage.



UPDATE - 6 JAN 2010

Refuel from Antigua

Reporting from 'Impossible Dream' last night, Geoff reported a decreasing fuel supply (diesel for the generator is essential for Impossible Dream's systems and autopilot).

Making a diversion for the coast of Antigua Geoff and crew will collect fuel from an offshore vessel and rejoin their course to Tortola. ETA remains Thursday PM 7th Jan.