Triple-amputee veteran inches closer to completing his solo Pacific Ocean sail
A British Army veteran has revealed that he is close to finishing the first solo Pacific Ocean sail as a triple-amputee.
Craig Wood said in a social media post on LinkedIn that he has finally seen land after sailing more than 6,600 nautical miles.
Mr Wood, who lost both legs and his left hand when he stepped on an IED in Afghanistan when he was 18 years old, has been at sea for more than two months.
"LAND HO!" he wrote in the social media post. "After 75 days at sea and more than 6,600 nautical miles sailed, I've finally spotted.
"While, I won't be docking just yet, as I'm holding out for Hiroshima, it was an incredible moment after so long on the water."
He is sailing from Mexico to Japan on a 41ft custom-built aluminium catamaran.
On his donation page, the Rifles veteran from a village near Doncaster, explained that he is undertaking the massive expedition as, following nearly five years of rehabilitation and operations, the ocean gave him "a reason to live again".
The adventurer, who is currently away from his wife, Renata, and their two children, is also crossing the Pacific Ocean to alter people's perceptions of what is possible for someone with a disability.
"When I next step ashore, I will officially become the first triple-amputee to complete a solo Pacific Crossing," he added.
Along with the social media post, he posted a video where he described his current location and his excitement about seeing land, instead of open ocean.
The veteran has a long, unkempt beard and long, uncut hair in the video as he told his followers that he is 800 miles off the coast of Japan.
He is completing the expedition to fundraise for Blesma, The Limbless Veterans charity and Turn to Starboard, a charity which uses sail training to support Armed Forces personnel affected by military operations.
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