First deaf person to sail single-handed around the world

A Scottish teacher has become the first deaf person to sail single-handed around the world past all five capes. Gerry Hughes, 55, from Glasgow, sailed from Troon in his Beneteau 42s7 Quest III, on September 1 last year, completing the route on May 7. His solo-circumnavigation lasted eight months and covered more than 32,000 miles, during which time he endured a capsize and equipment problems. – Read on

Note: Charl de Villiers, a native South African and transplanted Texan, was the first deaf sailor in history to sail by himself around the world. However, his route went through the Panama Canal. In March 2004, he cast off from Palacios, Texas in his 37-foot Tartan yacht (“Island Times”), passing through the canal and then heading for Australia and South Africa before returning triumphantly on December 19 of the same year.