Adventurer James Ketchell embarks on epic adventure sailing around the world from Premier's Gosport Marina.
Setting sail on a new adventure
We are excited that our Gosport Marina will be the launch point for adventurer James Ketchell's solo circumnavigation of the globe. Weather permitting, James will set off on his incredible 30,000 nautical mile journey on Sunday 22nd September 2024 aboard his Class 40 yacht, ‘Mindset’, proudly sponsored by Premier Marinas.
The journey ahead
James’ voyage will span approximately 9 months, with planned stops in the Canary Islands, Cape Town, Melbourne, Punta Del Este in Uruguay, Antigua, and New York, before returning to our Gosport Marina in June 2024.
During the sail, James’ main mission is to take young people on a virtual journey around the world, inspiring them to try new things, believe in themselves and develop the right mindset. He will be using Starlink Internet on the boat and will be streaming live videos to classrooms around the world.
Preparing for the challenge
Gosport Marina has been instrumental in James' preparations, providing essential berthing, technical, engineering, and chandlery support to ensure ‘Mindset’ is ready for the daunting voyage ahead. Our Marina’s comprehensive services and prime location at the mouth of Portsmouth Harbour offer immediate access to the Solent and make it an ideal training ground for the journey ahead.
A hub of maritime excellence
Beyond serving as a vital support base for James' expedition, our Gosport Marina is a celebrated boating hub, boasting a rich history in yacht racing. The marina has earned the prestigious Five Gold Anchors Award and is home to the Clipper Round the World Race fleet. Gosport also has a storied legacy with the ‘Endeavour’, a J-Class yacht built for the 1934 America's Cup at the historic ‘Endeavour Quay’ boatyard.
A supportive community
James has spent five years preparing for this voyage and he has been at Gosport Marina for over a year now. This will be his third circumnavigation of the world after previously completing challenges on land and air. His journey by sea will pose different challenges both physically and mentally, but one his is prepared for with the support he has received from his team and the wider community at Gosport Marina.
Setting sail
James will set sail on Sunday 22 September 2024 from outside the Boat House Restaurant at Gosport Marina where his boat is moored. Keep an eye on our news page for further updates over the course of his adventure.