Sailing with Geoff Holt

Bon voyage, Geoff!

From his site:

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.

In completing his Challenge, Geoff Holt will become the first quadriplegic to make the journey, unassisted in every aspect of the sailing.

Having sailed the Atlantic Ocean three times before an accident in 1984 which left Geoff confined to a wheelchair, this will be an emotional voyage for Geoff Holt as he attempts the journey for the first time as a disabled yachtsman.  But his overriding desire in attempting the voyage, is to inspire others to do something positive with their lives.

As Geoff says, "It's not about being disabled. It's not about sailing the Atlantic Ocean. It's about demonstrating that disability need not be a barrier to achieving something positive in your life"

It will be a matter of complex logistics for the shore-based support team and a feat of personal endurance and sailing skills for Geoff.  Although both physically able to navigate and sail the boat competently, Geoff is unable to look after his own physical requirements. He can not get himself out of his wheelchair to sleep, to use the loo or to shower without help. To overcome this, Geoff 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 the sailing of the yacht.