A man from North Wales has been found dead in the middle of an attempt to row across the Atlantic Ocean.
Michael Holt, 57, from Porthmadog, Gwynedd, left Gran Canaria, Spain, on January 27.
However, some 700 miles in, Mr Holt, who had type 1 diabetes, fell ill off the coast of Cape Verde. He was later found dead in his cabin by the crew of a fishing vessel that had sailed to his aid.
Now, his family have paid tribute to him, saying it was a "huge shock" to the family.
Michael Holt left Gran Canaria on January 27
Family handout/WikiCommons
A statement posted on social media by Michael's brother David Holt said: "We have been working tirelessly to get help to Michael over the past four days but have found it incredibly difficult to do so.
"Last night the fishing vessel Noruego accepted a tasking from Cape Verde Joint Rescue Coordination Centre and made directly for Michael's coordinates. Very sadly, upon arrival, Michael was found dead inside his cabin.
"Of course this was not the ultimate conclusion we were looking for, but I am somewhat comforted knowing he died doing something he absolutely wanted to do with a passion and managed to row in excess of 700 miles in the process. An achievement in itself."
Holt was raising money for the charity Mind and Liverpool Charity and Voluntary Services.
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He was found off the coast of Cape Verde (file pic)
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A friend who shared his story on social media and was in regular contact with Holt posted last night said: "He didn't have any way of sending back imagery, but he would call in every couple of days with an update so that I could update his growing army of supporters.
"He saw some amazing things out there - he had three killer whales swimming around his boat, and a large oceanic white-tip shark trying to munch on his rudder!
"Monday was my last phone call with him, he didn't sound well and had decided to head to Cape Verde instead of Barbados. I asked him to get in touch if he needed a rescue but he explained he was alright and would make his way to land himself. Sadly that appears to have been the last call he made.
"I first met Michael a couple of years ago - so full of energy, so excited about his Atlantic crossing - he was the sort of person you wouldn't forget if you met him, and he just oozed passion and excitement. Getting a word in edgeways was a real challenge!
"Despite the outcome, I don't regret supporting Michael - quite the opposite. I'm immensely proud to have supported him. Just by launching his boat in the name of chasing his dreams, he did more than most people will do in a lifetime. Rest In Peace Mike."
David told BBC News: "I phoned up the Cape Verde port authority to find out what the fishing boat had found," he said.
"Obviously there was a bit of a language barrier with them speaking Portuguese but I asked, have they seen Michael, is he ok? Is he alive? And they just came back with, no no no.
"I had prepared myself for that news to some extent given the lack of communication with him in the days before that, but it was obviously still a shock. It was horrible news.
"Despite what's happened, to be rowing on the open sea for 24 days and to cover over 700 miles is amazing.
"There's probably a reason nobody with type 1 diabetes has ever rowed across the Atlantic ocean. But when Michael gets an idea in his head, that's it. What he's achieved is amazing."
