Geoff Holt takes on his Personal Atlantic
Personal Everest yachtsman Geoff Holt is planning to take on the Personal Atlantic challenge next winter in which he will sail across the Atlantic Ocean, becoming the first quadriplegic sailor to do so. The 3,000 mile voyage, in which he will be unassisted in every aspect of sailing, will raise money for The Ellen MacArthur Trust, which supports and empowers children suffering from cancer or leukaemia by introducing them to sailing on the sea.
In September 2007 Geoff Holt completed a 109 day, 1,445 mile voyage to become the first disabled person to sail single handed around Great Britain in an expedition he called his Personal Everest. For his new challenge he will sail in December on board ‘Impossible Dream’, an 18m wheelchair accessible catamaran yacht owned by the Sporting Activities for the Disabled Trust. The charity is one of the expedition’s sponsors, along with Raymarine. The catamaran, built by Multimarine of Plymouth UK, is designed with push button technology which will allow Geoff to navigate and sail the boat using his skill and experience without having to rely on physical ability.
The voyage will be a logistical challenge for his shore based support team and a feat of personal endurance for Geoff. Although physically able to navigate and sail the boat competently, he is unable to look after his own physical requirements. He cannot get out of his wheelchair without assistance. To overcome this, he will be accompanied on the voyage by a professional, medically trained carer to aid him with the physical aspects of his life. The carer will play no part in sailing the boat.
For further information contact Geoff via Email: geoff@geoffholt.com or visit www.personalatlantic.com. To contribute on his behalf to The Ellen MacArthur Trust, visit www.justgiving.com/geoffholt
Related Articles
MARINE CONSTRUCTION
POWER & PROPULSION
ENVIRONMENT