Man sails around world with school atlas

13 May 2011, 1:03 pm   -   Source: BBC
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A British yachtsman who was feared missing, has stopped in New Zealand after sailing around the world for 17 months with only a school atlas as a guide.

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A British yachtsman has returned safely after sailing around the world for 17 months with only a school atlas as a guide.

Paddy Macklin was feared missing after being hit with bad weather during the trip.

However, according to BBC News, the 52-year-old wanted to "recapture the spirit of true amateur sailing."

"He didn't want anybody to call help for him, he wanted to do it in the true tradition of going to sea and being prepared to drown like a a gentleman," said Steve Ransley, a friend of Mr Macklin.

Mr Macklin started the journey in December 2009.

He was hoping to beat the previous solo world sail of 312 days which was set by Sir Robin Knox Johnston in 1969.

BBC News reports that a major search was launched after Mr Macklin's family contacted Falmouth Coastguards after losing contact with the sailor.

He was only aware of the search once he heard his name on the radio.

Mr Macklin was forced to stop in New Zealand due to damage to his yacht from a storm in the Southern Ocean.

BBC News says the former painter and decorater had enough food and supplies for another 600 days, but was not carrying an emergency position-indicating radio beacon during the journey.
 

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Your Comments

Solo Sailing

markn12 - from wheaton, 1 year

Glad he made it back safely. I just finished reading Unsinkable, a book about 16-year old Abby Sunderland's attempt to sail solo around the world. It takes a fantastica amount of preparation and technology to do such a trip, but it sounds as if Mr. Macklin proved it could be done without such technologies. I applaud his adventurous spirit.

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