Dr. Stanley Parris began his Solo Round The World bid off Bermuda just after 10am. Speaking to www.islandstats.com via phone prior to the start Parris said, “All is well and the winds are steady from the south I am prepared for my challenge.”
At 10:15am Bermuda Harbor Radio, recorded the single handed sailing vessel “Kiwi Spirit” as being 0.8 nm East of St. David’s Lighthouse. This position marked the start of a circum navigation of the globe by skipper Dr. Stanley Paris.
Paris is hoping to accomplish 3 main goals.
1. To complete the circumnavigation in less than 150 days, 6 hours and 1 minute, which is the previous record held by Dodge Morgan.
2. To become the oldest person to complete the circumnavigation at age 76
3. To complete the navigation without using any fuel at all. All power will be supplied by wind and solar energy with sealed diesel tanks available in case of emergency.
The 64ft cutter rigged vessel is carrying 120 dehydrated meals, 120 deep frozen meals and a large stock of MRIs and dried foods. Water will be collected from the deck and the vessel has an electric water maker.
The most treacherous part of the voyage is expected to be the rounding of the Cape Horn at a latitude of around 56 Degrees South.
Paris also mentioned that his son Alan Paris was the first Bermudian to complete a circumnavigation of the globe in 2003 on “Velocity”.
“The challenge almost did not start as I had to hail a cargo ship that was getting awfully close. My AIS (Automatic Identification Service) and radar showed we were on a collision course. At a half mile apart, I put on my strobe light at the mast head (my idea to install it) and made radio contact. Immediately he turned to his port and passed behind me. Were they on watch? Was I on their radar? Did they see my AIS? What would they have done if I had not called? That’s why I sleep no more than 30 to 45 minutes at a time. Safer to sleep during the day when I can be seen a little better. My radar and AIS picks up ships at about 12 to 20 miles — some 30 minutes away,” said Parris.
