Pat Lawless is setting sail on a solo trip around the world, to be the first Irish man to complete the journey.
The Kerry native is taking part in The Golden Globe Race - a solo, non-stop unassisted sail which starts in September.
Pat told Lunchtime Live this is something he's always wanted to do.
"I started to follow the first race when I was about 12, and then followed transatlantic races.
"It was always a dream that I wanted to do, but I never really thought I would be able to do it.
"And then when this race started before 2018... I started to follow it and I got hooked - and before long I had entered", he laughs.
Flat to the mat here in Green Rebel / Crosshaven boat yard.
Depart shortly after 11oc in the morning.
Love and thanks to all of ❤️☘️❤️Posted by Pat Lawless on Monday, July 25, 2022
On the race itself, Pat explains: "The first one was in 1968, the second one was in 2018 for the 50th anniversary, and this is the third one.
"We only use technology that was available in 1968.
"We're not allowed anything with a chip - we have all the safety equipment.
"I will have two satellite phones, the SIM cards will be provided by the race organisers.
"They'll know what number to ring, I can only ring them - and I have to ring them once a week for safety.
The route of The Golden Globe Race"I will have an SSB radio, which is an old-fashioned radio, which I can talk for about 500 miles to other ships.
"I will have a VHF radio, works about 30 miles, to talk to other ships.
"And I've a ham radio receiver so I can listen to time signals and radio stations from around the world as I sail around".
Pat's boat, the Green Rebel. Picture by: Facebook/Pat Lawless'He was good inspiration to me'
Pat says his father also did something similar.
"He sailed around the world solo, yeah - getting back to ireland when he was 70.
"He stopped in several places, and I was on his support committee.
"Being involved in his campaign makes this easier, I think, more doable.
"He was good inspiration to me, as were quite a few others".
Asked what he will do for food, he explains: "Canned food, dried food, freeze-dried food, instant mash - all kinds of tinned food.
"We can't use water makers, so we have to bring all our water with us.
"Food isn't the problem actually, food is fine, there's really good food and vitamin supplements and all that kind of stuff.
"Sleep is another thing: I'll sleep for 20 minutes, I get up and check things, sleep for another 20 minutes and get up and make sure the boat is moving in the right direction.
"You get very used to that, until you come home and you can't sleep properly for a while".
Pat's route will take him 30,000 nautical miles, and take him between eight and 11 months to complete.
