Geoff Holt conquers ‘Personal Atlantic’

The south coast UK based adventurer fulfilled his ambition of returning as a yachtsman to the very place where he lost his mobility in a diving accident 25 years ago. The voyage which began at Lanzarote in the Canary Islands on 10 December was completed at Cane Garden Bay on Tortola in the British Virgin Islands on 7 January.

‘It has been my dream to sail back across the Atlantic to Cane Garden Bay, and I have done it. It’s very emotional’, Geoff told BBC News. ‘It has been a long Christmas and New Year without my wife and son, so I am looking forward to having a big hug.’

His wife Elaine, seven year old son Timothy and supporters sailed from Tortola to greet him as he neared the end of a voyage which took longer than expected due to light winds and a generator failure within 500 miles of his destination. Geoff had to resort to manually steering the yacht when hydraulic assist was lost.

The 60’ sailing catamaran ‘Impossible Dream’ is a purpose built, wheelchair accessible vessel designed by Nic Bailey, who also designed the iconic ‘London Eye’, and built by Cornish company Multimarine Composites Ltd. It is the flagship of the charity Sporting Activities for the Disabled. It has proved a benchmark in disabled sailing, with all sails and navigation equipment controlled by hydraulic systems which means it can be sailed solo from a wheelchair, as Geoff has ably demonstrated.

Geoff Holt did all the sailing during the 2,700 mile crossing alone. However, as he is unable to move or dress by himself, wash or cook without assistance, he was accompanied on the crossing by professional carer Susana Scott, who is a qualified ship’s doctor, and cameraman Digby Fox who filmed the voyage.

Geoff Holt’s determination to rebuild his life and continue sailing after the shattering accident suffered when still a teenager has inspired many people and seen Geoff become a high profile figurehead for disabled sailing. His Personal Atlantic voyage, following on from his ‘Personal Everest’ solo sail around Britain in 2007, has raised funds for the Ellen MacArthur Trust, which aims to support, empower and enliven children suffering from cancer or leukaemia by introducing them to the joys of sailing on the sea.

For further information visit www.geoffholt.com