Geoff Holt will sail from the Canary Islands to the Caribbean in December 2009 – following his epic trip last year when he become the first quadriplegic yachtsman to sail singlehandedly around Britain.

Mr Holt, now 42, had already sailed across the Atlantic three times by the time he was 18.

But a serious accident left him paralysed, and he has not been able to attempt the challenge since.

Now he's getting back into the boat, making the three-week journey across the ocean in a 60ft catamaran.

'At the moment I am living off my memories,' he said. 'My Atlantic crossings are very treasured memories to me.

'I want to do it to fulfil this ambition, but I also know it's going to inspire people worldwide to take up sailing. It triggers the public imagination.'

Mr Holt has written a book about his single-handed journey around Britain.

For his Atlantic trip he will have a carer with him throughout the journey to help him with his daily routine – while he navigates the boat.

Mr Holt, of St Anne's Lane, Shedfield, near Fareham, said: 'In an ideal world I would be doing it solo but I'm simply incapable of surviving more than 20 hours without assistance.

'I need help with all the normal routines we have in our lives – I can eat my own dinner, but I can't cook it.

'I will have someone with me to manage my personal care but it will be me dealing with the navigation.'

Mr Holt will be navigating a push-button boat which is designed for someone who is paraplegic.

He said: 'I think it's fantastic. But I believe that sailing is the only sport where your disability is irrelevant.

'It (the ocean) is just a very special place to be, it's magical. .

'But I also respect the sea and I know it can be a very dangerous place. I'm aware of how bad it can be but I will be using my sailing expertise to get through it.'