Disabled yachtsman Geoff Holt set off yesterday from Lanzarote, Canary Islands on his Personal Atlantic voyage across the Pond to Tortola, an emotional return to the island where he injured his neck and became paralysed from the chest down as an 18-year-old charter boat skipper – the event that changed his life forever.

Assisted only by a high level quadriplegic carer Susana, from New Zealand who has no sailing experience, Geoff will make all the sailing decisions and operate all the push-button equipment himself. 

Impossible Dream is a wheelchair accessible yacht owned by the charity Sporting Activities for the Disabled.

Manufactured by Multimarine near Plymouth in the UK, she is a custom-built design with push-button technology allowing Geoff to navigate and sail the boat using his sailing skills and experience, without relying on his physical ability.