non-stop voyage almost ended in disaster just a few days after setting sail.

The 52-year-old Canadian set off from Halifax, in Nova Scotia, on November 26, to sail around the world to raise $1 million for the Canadian Foundation for Sudden Death Syndrome.

But almost immediately he ran into trouble -- and was forced to divert to Bermuda for repairs to his 54-foot ship, the Frema .

"Two days into the voyage and the steering on the ship went,'' said the married father-of-two, who quit his job a year ago to plan and carry out the project.

"I had to steer it by hand because the auto pilot was out and managed to get to Bermuda on Sunday. They were long days without sleep because I could not leave the wheel.'' The unscripted stop-off spoiled his plans to sail non-stop from Halifax, but Mr. Dennis hoped to be able to sail from St. George's for Florida today and restart his non-stop voyage from there after repairing his ship.

However he is also looking to try and raise about $75,000 for the repairs after some of his sponsors failed to cough up the cash they had pledged, although he is still confident of completing his epic trip.

"Right now I am looking for some corporate sponsorship. Some of my sponsors, after I left Halifax, did not come through with as much money as we thought they would.''