A pod of Dolphins Swimming alongside Greg Berryman and Alegria II

Sailing the Atlantic: Greg Berryman’s Epic Solo Voyage

Solo Atlantic Crossing Aboard SY Alegria II

By Sam (no nonsense) Mambo

Overview

  • Vessel: SY Alegria II

  • Route: Monaco → British Virgin Islands (BVI)

  • Distance: ~4,000 nautical miles

  • Duration: 35 days

  • Crew: Solo (Greg Berryman)

  • Departure Date: December 25, 2023

Pre-Departure Preparation

Yacht Setup

  • Type: Ocean-capable sailing yacht, upgraded for solo offshore passages.

  • Modifications:

    • Reinforced hull

    • Upgraded autopilot system

    • Redundant navigation and communication tools

Route Planning

  • Route options considered included passages via:

    • The Canary Islands

    • Direct westward crossing with trade wind assistance

Supplies and Equipment

  • Provisioned for 5–6 weeks at sea

  • Spare parts and tools carried for essential systems

  • Backup systems for power, water, and navigation

Departure from Monaco

  • Left on Christmas Day to avoid seasonal traffic and maximize trade winds.

  • First major waypoint: Strait of Gibraltar

    • Managed strong currents and heavy shipping traffic.

Atlantic Crossing Conditions

Weather and Sea State

  • Conditions varied from calm trade winds to heavy seas.

  • Near the Canary Islands, encountered:

    • Waves up to 20 feet

    • Sustained physical strain while helming manually

Notable Equipment Failure

  • Autopilot failure mid-ocean:

    • Required manual steering for 36 hours

    • Fatigue management became critical during this period

Key Challenges

  • Solitude: Psychological strain of being completely alone for 5 weeks

  • Sleep cycles: Adapted to short naps while maintaining watch

  • Mechanical stress: Constant equipment monitoring and maintenance

  • Navigation: Manual corrections required due to autopilot failure

Key Sightings and Waypoints

  • Marine Life:

    • Dolphins observed regularly

  • Celestial Navigation:

    • Clear night skies used as backup reference

  • Landfall:

    • First visual contact with the BVI after 35 days at sea

Arrival in the BVI

  • Anchored in calm waters near Tortola

  • Tracked by other sailors online; welcomed on arrival

  • Immediate inspection and maintenance of yacht systems

Lessons and Advice for Solo Sailors

Top Takeaways

  • Preparation is critical: Assume every system will fail at some point.

  • Mental readiness matters: Solo passages are as much psychological as technical.

  • Redundancy saves time and stress: Always carry backups for electronics and rigging (Greg didn't).

  • Energy management is vital: Both electrical and physical.

Recommended for Future Solo Crossings

  • Upgrade to dual autopilot systems

  • Install wind vane steering as a mechanical backup

  • Carry pre-cooked meals for ease under rough conditions

  • Schedule regular position reporting via satellite

Conclusion

This solo Atlantic crossing was a complex test of endurance, planning, and self-reliance. Despite equipment failures and the mental demands of long-term solo sailing, the voyage was completed successfully with no major damage or incidents.

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