Young sailor resumes record bid

Michael Perham, 16, set out from Portsmouth to sail around the world

A 16-year-old sailor has resumed his bid to sail around the world single-handedly after technical problems delayed him for nearly a month.

Michael Perham, from Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, aims to be the youngest to sail round the globe solo.

His steering system forced stops in Portugal and Gran Canaria, since leaving Portsmouth on 15 November.

He set off on Monday saying how pleased he was to be back at sea after spending time trying to sort out his auto-pilot.

Michael is aiming to beat Australian Jesse Martin's record as the youngest non-stop circumnavigator.

'Slightly anxious'

Jesse was 18 when he arrived home in Melbourne on 31 October 1999.

In his website blog, Michael said: "I'm free at last - it feels absolutely brilliant to be on my way again.

"I am still slightly anxious that my auto-pilot is 100% reliable, but with each passing hour my confidence in it builds."

The world crossing is scheduled to take four-and-a-half months.

Michael has only been able to sail for 12 days since leaving Portsmouth, with the delay scuppering an attempt to also be the youngest person to sail around the world non-stop.

He already has one record to his name, after becoming the youngest person to cross the Atlantic when he was just 14.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version