Crossing the Atlantic Ocean twice single-handedly never prepared this shipwrecked sailor for the reefs surrounding Bermuda's shores.

And now Paul Bourne, who hit a reef while trying to navigate the waters off St. David's on his 40-foot sailboat Aymie-G, is now struggling to return to his homeland England.

He had never intended to visit Bermuda, but when his batteries would not charge properly, he had to refuel before continuing to the Azores.

At around 4 p.m. on August 2, the 57-year-old's $130,000 sailboat stopped dead in the water as the keel sheared-off and water flooded into the bottom of the boat.

Within seconds the pensioner's retirement savings had sunk to the bottom of the ocean. Luckily for the 57-year-old from Gloucestshire, England at least three to four boats arrived within minutes to help.

Speaking to The Royal Gazette yesterday, Mr. Bourne said he was still in a state of shock for three or four days after the event as he kept hoping to wake up from the nightmare.

He said: "It wasn't insured because they won't insure single-handed sailors and also because it is the hurricane season.

"What has happened is just a nightmare really. I need to leave Bermuda soon, but I just haven't got the funds. I have got my health and that's something to be thankful for."

Mr. Bourne, who was recently divorced, had only purchased the boat three months before the shipwreck on the Island, to sail around the world for his retirement.

The unscheduled stop in Bermuda was during his sail from Charleston, South Carolina, where he had bought the boat to the Azores.

From there the former military man was planning on going to the Greek Islands, the Black Sea and the Mediterranean. Now he will return to England and live with his son as he faces returning to work.

His only hope of paying off some of the bills he has incurred while on the Island and to buy a plane ticket home is to sell the boat — which he cannot afford to fix — for what he can.

Mr. Bourne also wanted to thank the generosity of Bermudians who helped donate funds to raise the boat from its watery grave and clothe him.

He said: "I had hoped to see the world. Life was getting short and this had to be done. It's been pretty hard to take. I am only now accepting what's gone on. I have lost my boat and my home.

"There was a lot of damage I cannot afford to fix it; I just haven't got the funds. If it's not sold, it goes to the state. I had only had it for three months.

"The boat just stopped dead. I was relaxed so I went flying over the steering column and everything. I knew straight away what had happened.

"The keel sheared-off and she capsized. I swam away from the boat immediately. I really appreciate the help from the Mariner's and Sea Farer's club and the police have been very helpful all the way through.

"Thank you to everybody for their help and for how generous the Bermuda people have been to me and how helpful.

"I still have my health and that's something to be thankful for. I am going to have to work."

If anyone can help and would like to purchase the boat, which could be a good project, can call the Marine Police at 299-4584 or email Mr. Bourne at paultheboat@hotmail.com