An adventurer is poised to break the record for occupying a remote island in the Atlantic.
An adventurer is poised to break the record for occupying a remote island in the Atlantic.
Nick Hancock set out with the aim of spending 60 days on Rockall, an extinct volcano which lies about 260 miles west of the Outer Hebrides.
By tomorrow, he will have survived on the remote outcrop for 43 days, beating the previous 42-day occupation record set by three Greenpeace campaigners in 1997.
He recently surpassed the 40-day solo occupation record set in 1985 by the SAS veteran Tom McClean.
He celebrated achieving the solo record by popping a small bottle of champagne while sending a tweet to Mr McClean, of Morar in the west Highlands, a spokesman said.
The message said simply: "Sorry Tom."
Mr McClean's wife Jill replied, saying: "Tom is busy at present planning his ventures and has asked me to say 'well done' to Nick and to tell him to keep up the good work."
Cruise boat operator Kilda Cruises say expected favourable weather conditions at the weekend mean they now plan to take Mr Hancock off the rock on Saturday.
A previous record-breaking attempt ended for Mr Hancock last year after rough seas prevented him from landing.
During the latest attempt, the 39-year-old chartered surveyor based in Edinburgh, has been living in a converted 8ft yellow water tank powered by a small wind turbine and solar panels for charging his satellite communications. His survival items included army rations.
He is hoping to raise £10,000 for Help The Heroes and he has asked for the public to support his aim by donating through: www.justgiving.com/rockallsolo.
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