Profiles

Dorset adventurer Philip Beale is planning the trip of a lifetime - and he's looking for volunteers to join his crew.

Sailing experience isn't necessarily essential, but a taste for adventure and an appetite for a challenge definitely is.

The Phoenician Ship Expedition plans to recreate the first circumnavigation of Africa,  accomplished by the legendary Middle Eastern race the Phoenicians in 600BC.

A replica of the traditional ancient boat used for the epic historical journey is being hand built in Syria, and no concessions to the modern age have been made.

Philip Beale

With no running water, toilets or emergency motor, the vessel will be recreated as precisely as possible.

Dangerous stretches of water

Expedition leader Philip Beale, joined by a team of sailors from across the world as well as the volunteers he's seeking, isn't underestimating how difficult the attempt at reliving history will be, as the route covers dangerous stretches of water.

Philip says: "It will be quite challenging, and there's a lot of perils there for a sailing vessel - there's clearly a risk of pirates around the Horn of Africa, and Somalia."

If all goes to schedule, the completed ship will leave Syria in August, and finish in the Mediterranean next May 2009.

Route map, starting and ending in Arwad

Volunteers looking to get involved in the expedition can visit the Phoenician Ship Expedition website for more information.