NEWS
THE FINAL CHAPTER BEGINS
Thu, 24 Apr 2008 11:45:08 +0000

      Adrian Flanagan is about to set sail on the final leg of the Alpha Global Expedition. Success will see Flanagan become the first solo yachtsman to complete a ‘vertical’ circumnavigation of the earth. The last part of the voyage is a 1,600 mile stretch from Mehamn in northern Norway to The Royal Southern Yacht Club [...]

ABS, RS to work on Arctic LNG ships
Mon, 14 Apr 2008 09:36:52 +0000

Russian Northern Sea Route near Ostrov Peschanyy Photo: Adrian Flanagan Alpha Global Expedition CLASSIFICATION societies ABS and the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping (RS) are to jointly develop of classification rules for Arctic LNG Carriers under a wide ranging cooperative agreement between the two IACS members. BB.firetrench.com broadlyrisks.firetrench.com agx.firetrench.com ftnews.firetrench.com ftd.firetrench.com

An Appeal To Reason, A Cool Look At Global Warming
Wed, 09 Apr 2008 15:13:23 +0000

This is an important book, not least because it presents a view for reason which has been censored in many countries. The author begins by saying that his three previous books, in different genre, were published eagerly by British publishers, but that this latest book was flatly rejected by every British publisher even with the [...]

The holiday Adrian was dreaming of
Wed, 09 Apr 2008 09:15:31 +0000

Adrian with Benji and Gabriel at La Pirogue, Mauritius Gabriel’s first sailing lesson Gabriel and Louise Adrian and Benji in the canoe In an article published in the Telegraph at the end of last year asking well known adventurers what they were dreaming of having for Christmas, Adrian described the holiday we have just had. www.mauritius.net I have been staying [...]

Adrian talks at The Royal Lymington Yacht Club
Mon, 03 Mar 2008 15:52:43 +0000

Adrian and Louise Flanagan visited the Royal Lymington Yacht Club on Wednesday 27 February and gave a very interesting talk on Adrian’s vertical circumnavigation. Some 120 members were present and the talk went down extremely well. A lot of interest was shown in particular in his adventures - such as being swept overboard [...]

Sale “Barrabas” from Adrian Flanagan
Wed, 20 Feb 2008 15:42:14 +0000

“In October 2005, adventurer Adrian Flanagan set sail on the Alpha Global Expedition, a single-handed ‘vertical’ circumnavigation. In May this year, he will complete the last part of this spectacular expedition, from Norway to the south of England. As Adrian has new plans after the expedition, White Whale Yachtbrokers from Holland is honoured to offer [...]

A great day at The Collins Stewart London Boat Show
Sun, 20 Jan 2008 20:23:28 +0000

Adrian arrives on the main stage for his presentation Matt, Owain, Toby and Rob from Kemp Sails Adrian and Louise with Karen, John and Will Curry from Hydrovane

Adrian on stage at The Collins Stewart London Boat Show
Thu, 10 Jan 2008 09:16:55 +0000

  Adrian will be giving a 30 minute presentation on the Main Stage at The Collins Stewart London Boat Show on Sunday 20th January at [...]

Happy New Year
Mon, 31 Dec 2007 16:34:32 +0000

The FIRE Project Teams wish our readers, contributors and supporters a happy and successful 2008

Happy Christmas!
Mon, 24 Dec 2007 21:26:12 +0000


Over The Top
News Archive

4 May 2006
Mast damage forces Adrian to stop in Hawaii

Adrian is now forced to stop for several days in Oahu so that essential work can be carried out to fix his mast. Disappointing as this is,  It will also provide an opportunity for him to have other maintenance work carried out as well as leaving enough time for some very cold beers, a haircut and a trip to the laundrette.

Only days away from Hawaii and what will be his first sight of land in weeks, Adrian Flanagan has suffered a serious blow to his Alpha Global Expedition. In the early hours of this morning he contacted his shore team to report "a strange twanging sound from the mast." Upon inspection he noticed that "the shrouds that support the mast had become looser and the mast top was very off centre...". Adrian proceeded to climb the mast to take a closer look and discovered two critical damage points. The spreaders are coming away from the mast and need rewelding but most importantly the through bolt that supports the shrouds has ripped through the stainless steel mast tube.

There is no way this can be fixed at sea properly, especially with so many thousands of miles still ahead. What was already set up as a swift supply drop in Hawaii has now become a race against time to lift out the mast and effect repairs. As such Adrian will be stepping ashore for the first time in over 6 months. Research has shown that Adrian is very likely to be the first person to ever sail from UK to Hawaii alone, non-stop and westabout via Cape Horn. Adrian's yacht, Barrabas, has endured remarkably well so far. Although such damage is potentially catastrophic it is not enough to stop Adrian from fulfilling his ultimate goal.

Presently sailing in calm conditions, he has been forced to reduce sail and relieve the mast of as many stresses as possible. This will delay his arrival in Honolulu to at least the 10th of May. Local sailors and Waikiki Yacht Club members are already rallying to sort out all the necessary logistics so that the turn around is done quickly as possible.

Adrian still has to sail to his antipodal point on the globe, south east of Japan, before heading north to the Bering Straits. Global weather patterns do not wait for sailors and so the less time Adrian spends in Hawaii the better.