An avid sailor from Weston-super-Mare has packed in his job to sail 10 months around the world solo.
Andy Press is hoping to circumnavigate the world non-stop – a feat which less than 250 people in history have achieved.
Andy, who has given up job as IT support for Archant and the Mercury, spent his childhood sailing around Devon and Dartmouth, and has always harboured an ambition to return to the water.
He said: “I’ve always fancied a non-stop circumnavigation. I had a plan to make my fortune, retire early, buy a boat and sail the world – rather ambitious admittedly.”
The sailor has set his sights on an epic voyage in honour of the nine people who first attempted it 50 years ago.
He bought a boat, named Greenfingers, last year and has completed trips in the Bristol Channel and to the Scilly Isles to prepare for the feat.
Andy sets sail from Uphill beach on June 30 and he believes it will take him 10 months to complete the journey.
He has had to spend £200 just on sun cream to protect him from the rays and family and friends have filled USB sticks with photos, TV shows, books and messages to keep him company on the trip.
Louis, a teddy bear given to Andy by the RNLI, will act as his ‘Wilson’ when the solitude sets in.
He said: “I’m pretty good with my own company so loneliness is certainly not going to be an issue initially.
“The toughest part is going to be when I get into the roaring 40s where there is storm after storm between South Africa and South America. And I’ll be in that for three to four months.
“I can’t wait to go. All the preparation has been absolute hell but I’m really looking forward to setting sail and doing the journey.”
Weston Bay Yacht Club has provided Andy with a great deal of support and advice and he will send in weekly updates about his travels to the commodore Jeffrey Parker.
Hydrovane is sponsoring Andy and has given him self-steering equipment for his voyage.
To keep up to date with Andy’s travels, visit www.wbyc.co.uk
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