Speedboat setback

The crew is aiming to complete the circumnavigation in just over 50 days - which would smash the current record of 74 days and 18 hours.

Two weeks ago, the Argus reported how cameraman Alan Carter from Valleys-based company, Waterfront TV, was joining the crew of the Spirit of Cardiff speedboat and filming the journey.

And the Nantyglo firm was commissioned to produce a video and DVD of the challenge, which will hit the shops in time for Christmas.

But the speedboat today remains delayed in Malta, after running into an unlit and unchartered fish farm and hitting a boom.

The boat's motordrive, which turns the propeller, was damaged in the impact and the crew faces a two-day delay while it is assessed.

Dave Wiltshire, a spokes-man for the Spirit of Cardiff challenge, said: "On their first day out of Gibraltar they had some very heavy seas but the weather is improving a lot. "Even though they had some very high winds on the nose they were only a few hours behind schedule."

Mr Wiltshire added: "But the spirit among the crew is very good at the moment. With something like this it takes a while to settle in but they are definitely starting to get into it now."

Alan's business partner in Waterfront TV, Mal Ransom, said: "I'm awaiting the first batch of Alan's video tapes which should arrive soon.

"When they come through I'll begin the long process of looking through them to see exactly what we can use. Alan does have 50 hours of tape with him which is an enormous amount but with a project like this I expect he will go through them soon enough."

The Spirit of Cardiff speedboat is fitted with the latest navigation equipment and has satellite phones on board which will be used to make contact with the Cardiff Bay visitor centre on a daily basis.

Anyone wishing to chart the progress of the challenge can pop into the centre to see exactly where they are in the world.

*PICTURED: Mal Ransom, left, Waterfront TV partner Alan Carter.