Solo sailor Keith White completes voyage
Single-handed yachtsman Keith White has completed his round-Britain voyage – despite a rescue scuppering the non-stop aspect of his quest.
The Isle of Wight yachtsman, who lost the use of his left arm in a motorway accident in 1991, set sail in May with the aim of becoming the first disabled sailor to achieve a non-stop round Britain and Ireland voyage. White had made it around the Shetland Islands in his 14m (47ft) yacht Marathon and was en route south again when he required rescuing on 11 June off Lowestoft.
Lowestoft RNLI Lifeboat went to the aid of the yachtsman, who was in difficulty 27 miles south-east of the port as his sail had ripped and his engine had failed. However, just three days later, White announced on his Facebook page that he would be completing his trip, and he crossed his Isle of Wight finishing line on 18 June, after completing a total of 2,470 miles. Shortly after finishing his voyage, White was admitted into hospital and treated for septicemia. He recovered in time to compete in the Round the Island Race, but the race results show the yacht’s retirement.