My name is Paul Churchley. I was born in 1960 and so that would make me 48 ( in 2008).

My boating background is not that extensive. Apart from a little dinghy racing in the 70's my boating started just 2 years ago. However, I have managed to cram in a lot in that time and I now feel that I am not a beginner.

My first boat was a Jeanneau Merry Fisher Cap Camarat 625. This is a day boat, a bit of a cuddy, no heads, outboard 140hp... a bit of a ski boat really but I still managed several weekends away but felt that I wanted more.

So, within a few months I bought Melodie, a Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 32.2 yacht. This was great at first. It had the accommodation I wanted but it lacked something... speed! I wanted something with a bit more speed but had a stay away capability.

I wanted a 30-35ft motor cruiser but felt that I wouldn't get enough use out of it given the amount of money I would need to spend and so as a compromise I got Stargate, a Jeanneau Merry Fisher 625.

I took Melodie and Stargate all along the south coast on holidays and that has given me the taste for the Round Britain experience.

I am currently RYA Dayskipper (Power) Qualified and have passed the Yachtmaster (Shorebased) course. I also hold RYA Powerboat Level 2, RYA First Aid. I spent last summer as crew doing several deliveries of large Princess yachts to parts of Europe (mainly Finland) and other marques to the UK. This has given me great experience of taking motor powered boats long distances and although my boat is much smaller and less well equipped I feel that the experience of last year will stand me in good stead for the trip ahead.

My professional background is mostly in computers. I have been a computer programmer, analyst programmer, technical consultant etc for over 30 years. However, alongside that computer career has run my lifetime true love of flying. I learned to fly at 17, became an instructor at 21 and a commercial pilot at 29. Although I never did break into the airline market it has remained the true love of my life and when I had to stop flying for medical and financial reasons, boating had a similar attraction. Of course, many of the principles of navigation, weather and safety apply to both and I can bring to my boating nearly 30 years experience as a pilot.

I like boating, motor racing, technology (particularly computer technology), food and drink.

I dislike fried tomatoes, going to the dentist, insects and spiders.

I am happily married to Sally Buswell and she will assist me in this effort in so many ways but primarily in web site support, liaison with sponsors and RNLI personnel and general encouragement... I hope!

We live in Saltash, near Plymouth and will set out from and return to Plymouth.

I believe that I have all the necessary skills to do a trip such as this safely and professionally and that is what I intend to do.