P.E.I. man back home after attempting to sail solo around the world
‘The whole idea behind the whole voyage was adventure and, boy, that really was adventure’
A Summerside, P.E.I., man who set out to sail solo around the world is back home on the Island.
Alan Mulholland sailed into Charlottetown harbour Saturday at 4 a.m.
But he had to wait another six hours on his boat to get the OK from customs and public health before stepping on dry land.
"I used the time to get a little bit of sleep because I hadn't slept in about 48 hours," said Mulholland.
"I was on the boat for 33 days and that was the longest leg of the entire voyage. It's a very complicated passage from the Caribbean direct to the Maritimes, very complicated. Very few boats actually make that passage."
'You can't be angry or frustrated'
Mulholland said his legs felt like lead when he first set foot on the dock.
He had to cut his sail short in January after a wave flipped his 26-foot sailboat on to its side, which sent water rushing in. The wave damaged the boat and some essential equipment and left Mulholland with two cracked ribs.
He's been in the Caribbean ever since getting his boat repaired and getting set for the month-long sail back to P.E.I.
Despite the setback, Mulholland said he has no regrets.
"The whole idea behind the whole voyage was adventure and, boy, that really was adventure getting hit by that freak wave and then dealing with it," said Mulholland.
"You can't be angry or frustrated because this was something that you want to do. You have to take the good with the bad."
'The decision was made for me'
Mulholland said he was devastated at first that he couldn't complete his voyage.
He said he considered giving it another try, but COVID-19 hit and closed many of the ports. That truly did put an end to any hopes of completing his two-year, around-the-world sailing adventure.
"The decision was made for me at that point," he said.
Mulholland already has his next adventure planned.
He and his wife have purchased a five-acre property in Prince County. They plan to build a home, plant gardens and raise livestock. He plans to start that project in the next couple of weeks.
Mulholland said he plans to put his boat, the Wave Rover, up for sale.
But he said if it doesn't sell, he might make one last North Atlantic crossing.
"There may be one more trip in it if it doesn't sell. I haven't told my wife yet about that," he said. "But if the boat sells, that's it."
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