British man found dead on boat while rowing 3,000 miles across Atlantic for charity

A British man who had been rowing across the Atlantic Ocean to raise money for charity has been found dead on his boat.

Michael Holt began his solo rowing journey from Gran Canaria to Barbados last month to raise funds for two charities.

However, a sad update on his Facebook page confirmed that Michael, 54, was found dead in the cabin of his boat days after saying he was suffering from sea-sickness.

Michael's brother David yesterday (25 February) shared the tragic news that they had tried to get help to Michael for several days and that a fishing boat which accepted the mission to reach the rower's co-ordinates discovered the man in his 50s had died.

Wales News Service

He had made it more than 700 miles in his journey across the Atlantic Ocean.

"This is a huge shock to myself, his wife Lynne & daughter Scarlett and my parents, not to mention wider family and friends," David wrote in tribute to his brother after delivering the sad news of Michael's death.

"Many thanks for the kind words & wishes that you have already sent us during the past few days. They mean a great deal to all the family."

A previous update on 20 February informed those following Michael's progress that he had 'become quite unwell' and would be heading for the Cape Verde island of São Vicente.

A further update on the Friday (23 February) said that further efforts to communicate with Michael had been unsuccessful, and that a search and rescue operation had been launched.

Spotter planes were able to locate Michael's boat but did not see him on deck, resulting in fishing boat Noruego and tanker Omicron Atlas to head for his position.

Wales News Service

Tributes have poured in for Michael both on his Facebook page and from people donating to the charities he was raising money for.

Many offered their thoughts and condolences to his family while others praised his 'commitment, effort and bravery'.

Michael was originally from Porthmadog, North Wales, and had since moved to The Wirral. He had battled waves, the loss of an oar and even a shark attacking his boat upon his journey.

He had previously rowed solo across the Irish Sea to raise money for local football team Porthmadog FC.

For his journey across the Atlantic Ocean he'd set himself the challenge of rowing around 3,000 miles.

Michael's fundraisers for the charities Mind and Liverpool Charity and Voluntary Services are available here and here.