An island-based yachtsman has fulfilled a long-held dream after sailing non-stop across the Atlantic.

Robert Lener was one of nine sailors who sailed from Gran Canaria to St Lucia in just under 20 days on board the German charter yacht Mola.

The IT consultant who lives in Ramsey embarked on the 2,972 nautical mile Atlantic challenge as a birthday present to himself, having just turned 40.

His crew mates were all unknown to each other before they set sail from Las Palmas on the Atlantic Rally for Cruisers on November 24.

But they were firm friends by the time they arrived in Rodney Bay in St Lucia 19 days, three hours and 55 minutes later.

Robert said: ’Preparing for the crossing, the biggest question to myself was how will it work out to be on a small sailing yacht for such a long time with nine strangers? What if the chemistry doesn’t work? But it all went brilliantly, and we are still in contact.’

He said: ’The whole crossing is perhaps a bit similar to flying to space. Once you’ve set sail, there’s no return. Then you rely on the things you put on the boat.

’You only have a small space and limited recourses like electricity, fuel, food and water. As you don’t know how long the crossing will take, you need water, snacks and ingredients for a minimum of four weeks for such a crossing.’

The crew went on training courses before the start of the ARC, on topics such emergency management, using a sextant, and navigating by stars.

Nearly 200 yachts started out from Las Palmas at the same time and the first evening out at sea was quite busy around the Mola.

But after three nights, the last yacht disappeared from the AIS screen and few other boats were seen during the crossing until they came closer to the Caribbean.

In average, the crew did about 160 nautical miles a day.

Robert said: ’Life turns simple after two or three days when you settle into a routine. It all comes down to the basic needs of: sleep, food and drink. You fill the gaps between with fishing, cooking, chatting or repairing the yacht.

’We were lucky to do the crossing with no major damages to the yacht, and we have had a lot of fun together as a crew.

’We had a bath in the middle of the Atlantic with 4,000m of water below us, and saw some dolphins during the crossing. Some fresh-caught fish called Mahi Mahi were occasionally a good sushi snack.

’We had a warm delicious fresh cooked dinner every day. The sky in the night was enormous and we saw bioluminescent plankton glowing in the water. It all was so beautiful.’

Nearing the Caribbean the crew had some minor squalls with no more than 38 knots wind.

But the voyage itself was quite easy and the whole trip was relaxed - perhaps thanks to a very experienced skipper who has done the crossing several times already.

Having waved him off from Gran Canaria, Robert’s wife Andrea was there to welcome him to St Lucia in the early afternoon of December 13. Robert, of Ramsey-based Consultant-Base Ltd, said: ’The ARC organisers welcomed us in St Lucia with the famous Caribbean rum punch, and they organized some parties as they did in Las Palmas.

’It was an incredible experience and I could do it again and again.’

Robert’s epic voyage raised £750 for the Isle of Man Woodland Trust.

This will help fund the planting of about 250 new trees in the island.

He explained: ’My promise was to donate a quarter pound for every nautical mile we sailed.

’Whilst sailing you are close or somehow one with the nature. This makes you very aware about the nature and actual pollution.

’Planting trees is a good way to invest in our future and the next generations, too.

’The Isle of Man Woodland Trust does an ace job in planting trees in the island and I’m happy to support them.’