The British Deaf community was celebrating today, when Gerry Hughes, the Deaf sailor, completed his solo circumnavigation of the world – becoming the first British Deaf person to do so.
Gerry achieved the feat at around 9am this morning when he crossed his outward route. He is now sailing home, with hundreds of Deaf people expected to welcome him back on dry land, including his wife, Kay, and their two daughters.
Gerry has been away for over 8 months now, and estimates he will arrive in Troon on Wednesday afternoon at 1pm. There will be a live stream online so people can watch his return from home.
Gerry set off on his journey from Troon, Scotland on 1st September last year, in his yacht, Quest III. Since then he has passed the five great capes, becoming the first Deaf person to circumnavigate the world solo by this route.
There was a boost for Gerry with two days remaining when Niall McCormack, the Deaf Irish artist, managed to see Gerry and wave to him as he passed Belmullet on the west coast of Ireland this afternoon.
Gerry’s quest has captured the imagination of the Deaf community, with thousands of people following his progress on Facebook and his personal website, with many people raising funds to support his journey. Find out more at his website – gerrysmhughes.com.
From all of us here at Limping Chicken – Go Go Go Gerry!
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Andrew Cadman
May 6, 2013
LEGEND!!! 🙂
Robert Duncan
May 7, 2013
There are not many true heroes, but Gerry is one of them.
valerie
May 7, 2013
Amazing and brave man to sail on his own! Well done to him.
Donkey
May 7, 2013
absolute Legend …wow!!
nuttynora
May 8, 2013
gutted its not on the british tv news!!