Michael Holt: Atlantic rower family's plea to bring him home

The family of a 54-year-old charity rower found dead in his boat while crossing the Atlantic are appealing for help to bring his body home.

Michael Holt, from Porthmadog, Gwynedd, fell ill about 700 miles (1,126km) into the voyage and was found by a fishing vessel crew that sailed to his aid.

He had type 1 diabetes and could not get insurance for the journey.

His boat has now been towed to Cape Verde off western Africa and his family are raising money for his repatriation.

Barry Hayes, who was helping Mr Holt document his expedition on social media, said: "It's not particularly simple and it's an expensive operation.

"The full extent of the costs is not known at this stage, however if there happens to be a surplus, then these funds will be donated to the charities that Michael was supporting."

Mr Holt left Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands on 27 January with the aim of reaching Barbados in the Caribbean.

He was raising money for mental health charity Mind, as well as Liverpool Charity and Voluntary Services.

Thousands of pounds have been donated to each, with many contributions since news of his death was made public on Monday.

Comments accompanying many of the donations include tributes, calling him an "inspirational hero", a "brave and kind man" and "a superstar".

Mr Hayes said, as a type 1 diabetic, Mr Holt's attempt to row the Atlantic was "both ground-breaking, and incredibly inspiring".

He had prepared by getting a fridge built into his boat for his insulin, automatic blood monitoring and 24-hour telephone support.

However, the risk made him uninsurable, according to Mr Hayes, who was the last person to speak to him before his death.

"When you operate in the most extreme end of the possible, this is common," he said.

"Michael knew all of this, but as his friends and family will attest, he was passionate, and stubborn as a mule."

A tracker on his boat was used to establish his location, information which was passed to the search and rescue authorities in Cape Verde to direct a fishing vessel out to him.

The fishermen towed his boat back to Mindelo, on the island of São Vicente in Cape Verde.

Mr Hayes said the family were "incredibly upset" and still in shock, but comforted by the fact he died doing something he loved.

"Rowing an ocean solo was something that gave him drive and focus," he said.

Additional reporting by Andy Gourlay