WHEN Islander Adam Pereira next sees land it will be the Statue of Liberty.
The 49 year old, of Ventnor, set out on Saturday to single-handedly sail 7,000 nautical miles to America and back, non-stop.
Already a huge challenge, Adam will also be the first person with Type 1 diabetes to complete this transatlantic crossing on his own.
Departing from Royal London Yacht Club, Cowes, the trip across the Atlantic is expected to take ten weeks.
The boat was donated by local couple, Peter and Lesley Knight.
Adam, who was diagnosed when he was 33, said: “I wanted to do something for Diabetes Week to inspire people with the condition to pursue their wildest dreams and live an awesome life.
“No one with Type 1 has ever sailed single-handed across the Atlantic so this is certainly bold.
“I’ll be frequently testing my blood glucose levels. It’ll be a special feeling when the Statue of Liberty starts to come into view after so many hours at sea.”
Adam also has plans to row across the Atlantic in December with brother, Jacob Benger-Pereira, to raise money for Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services IW and Diabetes UK. However, they first need to raise £60,000 to cover their costs.