British adventurer James Ketchell has achieved a world-first, being the first person to circumnavigate the globe by land, air and sea. After cycling the globe in 2013 and completing an airborne circuit by gyrocopter in 2019, he has now made history on the ocean, returning home to Gosport, UK on 13 June 2026 on his boat, Mindset.
James embarked on his 30,000 nautical mile journey from Gosport, UK on July 27th, 2025, travelling via Lanzarote, Cape Verde, Brazil, Cape Town, Hobart and Cape Horn. As a passionate ocean advocate and Ambassador for the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) since 2023, and through his vessel’s participation in the SeaKeepers DISCOVERY Programme, Ketchell supported three ocean science missions in on his journey.
He deployed an Argo float in the Indian ocean, adding to an existing network of 4,000+ robotic ocean floats worldwide that provide that collect and transmit real-time ocean data for researchers around the world.
His second mission involved collecting microplastic samples for a collaborative research project funded by Beyondly, between NOC and The International SeaKeepers Society (SeaKeepers), a global non-profit organisation that partners with private vessels for scientific research.
Finally, Ketchell contributed to the Nippon Foundation-GEBCO Seabed 2030 Project, a flagship programme of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. The initiative aims to produce the first complete map of the ocean floor by gathering bathymetric data from vessels as they travel across the globe.
James has shown how adventure and science can sail side by side. We couldn’t be prouder to welcome him home.
Gill Rodrigues, Director International Relations (SeaKeepers)
Fittingly, James' return coincides with the conclusion of World Ocean Week (6-12 June). Every mile he sailed has not only marked progress in an extraordinary personal endeavour, but has also generated valuable scientific data, helping to advance our understanding of the ocean.
It is only through collaboration and partnerships that we can hope to understand and address the ocean and climate challenges that we all face.
Holly Evans, NOC Head of Philanthropy
James has used his expedition to highlight the vital role of the ocean, delivering content available to schools via worksheets and live linkups, while delivering talks in local schools in the ports he has visited.
In addition to supporting ongoing ocean research, James’s challenge is raising funds for two charities: Baton of Hope (suicide awareness and prevention) and Kindled Spirit (supporting victims of human trafficking).
His unwavering spirit and determination, especially in the face of adversity following a serious motorcycle accident in 2008, have made him an inspiration to many and a proud ambassador for the Scouts.
I am extremely grateful to all my partners that have supported me over so many years and continue to do so for this challenge. After rowing oceans, climbing Everest, cycling, flying and sailing around the world, I’m not sure what challenge is left on this planet.
James Ketchell
During the sail his main mission is to take young people on a virtual journey around the world, inspiring them to discover more about the ocean, try new things, believe in themselves and develop the right mindset.
James' Round the World Challenge is generously sponsored by principal partners at Barratt Developments and Rentokil Initial.
About James Ketchell:
James Ketchell is a record-breaking aviator, adventurer, speaker, and scouting ambassador.
On 1st February 2014, James became the first and only person to have rowed across the Atlantic Ocean, successfully summit Mount Everest and cycle 18,000 miles around the world, in what the media dubbed ‘The Ultimate Triathlon’.
In 2019 the British adventurer flew himself into the Guinness World Records when he became the first person to fly an officially ratified circumnavigation of the globe in his open cockpit gyrocopter. The mission was to inspire a million young people in classrooms over the world to pursue their own goals and dreams which he continued in 2022 during an unsupported trek across Greenland providing content and daily satellite calls into schools across the UK.
It was an inauspicious start for James; in 2008 he was recovering from a serious motorcycle accident that had left him with broken legs and a severely broken and dislocated ankle. The prognosis was that he would likely suffer a permanent walking impairment and would certainly not be able to continue the active physical lifestyle he had so enjoyed.
Not all James’ adventures have been easy! He survived two mid ocean rescues and on one he found himself clinging to a rope ladder on the side of a 100,000-tonne oil tanker as he climbed to safety in storm force winds in the Indian Ocean.
Having spent much of his teenage years struggling with no ambition and very little confidence. James has spent the last ten years passionately working to inspire young people, as well as sharing his lessons learned with companies around the world.
How to donate: https://jamesketchell.net/charity-links/
For media enquiries please contact: james@jamesketchell.net
About the National Oceanography Centre (NOC):
The UK’s National Oceanography Centre (NOC) is one of the world’s top ocean research institutions. NOC’s scientists work around the globe, uncovering links between the ocean, climate change and biodiversity loss, to help every living thing on our planet flourish.
NOC solves challenging multidisciplinary, large scale, long-term marine science problems to underpin international and UK public policy, business and societal outcomes.
NOC is a company limited by guarantee set up under the law of England and Wales (11444362) and registered as a charity (1185265).
NOC operates the Royal Research Ships James Cook and Discovery and develops technology for coastal and deep ocean research.
Working with its partners NOC provides long-term marine science capability including: sustained ocean observations, mapping and surveying; data management and scientific research and advice.
Among the resources that the NOC provides on behalf of the UK are the British Oceanographic Data Centre (BODC), the Marine Autonomous and Robotic Systems (MARS) facility, the National Marine Equipment Pool (NMEP), the National Tide and Sea Level Facility (NTSLF), the Permanent Service for Mean Sea Level (PSMSL) and British Ocean Sediment Core Research Facility (BOSCORF).
For media enquiries, please contact media@noc.ac.uk
About The International SeaKeepers Society:
The International SeaKeepers Society is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization that facilitates oceanographic research, conservation, and education through direct involvement with the yachting community. Providing educational resources and hands-on marine science experiences to students is the primary focus for ensuring the wellbeing of our planet. SeaKeepers enables the yachting community to take full advantage of their unique potential to advance marine sciences and raise awareness about global ocean issues.
Founded in Monaco in 1998, The International SeaKeepers Society has been supporting ocean conservation through direct involvement with the yachting community for more than twenty-eight years. What started as a data collection program aboard select luxury yachts, has evolved to engage thousands of participants annually with at-sea and coastal programming. Today SeaKeepers’ mission is focused on the DISCOVERY Program which is comprised of Scientist-Led Expeditions, Citizen Science, Educational Outreach, and Community Engagement.
As a catalyst working with governments, scientists, institutions, and other marine organizations to further its mission, SeaKeepers supports sensible, achievable marine protection and restoration. Activities take place globally through the efforts of headquarters based in the United States with offices located on the east and west coast, and international representation in Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the South Pacific. For more information, please visit www.seakeepers.org.
Be part of the community helping our ocean thrive.
