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Disabled sailor to cross Atlantic Disabled sailor to cross Atlantic
(10 minutes later)
A yachtsman hoping to become the first quadriplegic sailor to cross the Atlantic is due to set off later.A yachtsman hoping to become the first quadriplegic sailor to cross the Atlantic is due to set off later.
Geoff Holt, 42, will travel 2,700 miles (4345 km) from Lanzarote in the Canary Islands to the Caribbean.Geoff Holt, 42, will travel 2,700 miles (4345 km) from Lanzarote in the Canary Islands to the Caribbean.
He will be returning to Garden Bay in Tortola, in the British Virgin Islands, where he suffered a diving accident that paralysed him.He will be returning to Garden Bay in Tortola, in the British Virgin Islands, where he suffered a diving accident that paralysed him.
Mr Holt, from Southampton, said he hopes the journey will help him "lay some ghosts to rest".Mr Holt, from Southampton, said he hopes the journey will help him "lay some ghosts to rest".
He is already the first quadriplegic sailor to sail around Britain and will be accompanied by a carer and a cameraman on board his boat, called Impossible Dream.He is already the first quadriplegic sailor to sail around Britain and will be accompanied by a carer and a cameraman on board his boat, called Impossible Dream.
However, he will do all his own sailing on board the specially-equipped boat.However, he will do all his own sailing on board the specially-equipped boat.
'Emotional journey''Emotional journey'
Mr Holt, who only has limited use of his arms and hands, will use hydraulic push button technology to sail the 60 ft (18 metre) catamaran for the 17 days it is expected to complete the voyage.Mr Holt, who only has limited use of his arms and hands, will use hydraulic push button technology to sail the 60 ft (18 metre) catamaran for the 17 days it is expected to complete the voyage.
He said it seemed "right" to sail back to where he had his accident.He said it seemed "right" to sail back to where he had his accident.
"I feel I will be closing the circle from having my accident," he said."I feel I will be closing the circle from having my accident," he said.
Geoff Holt: "It's the next chapter of my life"
"I left there in an ambulance but I plan to return there as a transatlantic quadriplegic sailor and lay some ghosts to rest."I left there in an ambulance but I plan to return there as a transatlantic quadriplegic sailor and lay some ghosts to rest.
"It is going to be an emotional journey for me but I am looking forward to reaching Tortola again only this time as captain of my own vessel.""It is going to be an emotional journey for me but I am looking forward to reaching Tortola again only this time as captain of my own vessel."
Mr Holt's only restrictions to sailing the yacht independently are those concerning his personal care.Mr Holt's only restrictions to sailing the yacht independently are those concerning his personal care.
Without help, he cannot get himself into bed, dressed or even into the shower.Without help, he cannot get himself into bed, dressed or even into the shower.
But, once up and in his wheelchair, he can use his navigational and boat handling skills to sail the yacht, using the high-tech equipment.But, once up and in his wheelchair, he can use his navigational and boat handling skills to sail the yacht, using the high-tech equipment.
Mr Holt's care will be provided by his personal assistant, Susana Scott, 28, who is originally from New Zealand.Mr Holt's care will be provided by his personal assistant, Susana Scott, 28, who is originally from New Zealand.