Irish solo sailor Pat Lawless has spoken of the loneliness of life at sea during the 2026 Golden Globe Race, admitting that he misses his family and has even dreamt of being reunited with his wife Rita.
Speaking to Georgie at Golden Globe Race headquarters in his latest Calls from Sea interview, the Kerry skipper said that while life aboard his Saga 36 Silvermines Hydro was going well, separation from home was one of the challenges of the solo circumnavigation.
"It's actually lonely at times, but it's part of the challenge," Lawless said.
He described dreaming about his family and Rita, only to wake and realise that he was still alone aboard the yacht.
The conversation, published by Golden Globe Race organisers on Thursday, 8 October, offers a personal insight into the Irish sailor's experience after more than a month at sea.
Making Progress in the South Atlantic
Lawless reported that he had been making daily runs of approximately 150 nautical miles, although lighter winds overnight had reduced his speed.
He said he had considered setting additional sail but decided against it, expecting the wind to freshen again.
The Irish skipper also spoke about his passage through the Doldrums, saying he had remained further east and managed to keep moving through the notoriously difficult belt of equatorial light winds.
Despite spending much of the voyage sailing at an angle of around 20 degrees, Lawless said he was managing life aboard and was eating and sleeping well.
He paid particular tribute to his wife Rita for helping prepare the food he is now eating at sea.
Boat Holding Up Well
Lawless reported no significant breakages aboard Silvermines Hydro and said he had not noticed any obvious barnacle growth on the hull, although he had yet to carry out a thorough inspection.
Communications with other vessels have been limited. He described making radio contact with another sailor, who could hear his transmissions only faintly, while Lawless himself was receiving the other vessel clearly.
He also reported contacting a passing ship, which confirmed a position consistent with his own celestial navigation calculations.
During the conversation, Lawless asked about French race leader Damien Guillou, sailing the Rustler 36 Solarem, whom he had not heard from for several days.
Georgie reassured him that Guillou was well, having spoken to him earlier that morning.
Missing Family Part of the Challenge
Towards the end of the call, Lawless was invited to send a message home to Rita and his family in Ireland.
He spoke warmly of his family and acknowledged that the isolation was sometimes difficult, despite his otherwise positive account of life aboard.
The interview provides a reminder of the personal demands of the Golden Globe Race, in which competitors sail alone around the world using traditional navigation and communications equipment.
Lawless continues south through the Atlantic aboard Silvermines Hydro, pursuing Guillou at the head of the fleet.
The full Week 5 conversation is available below, courtesy of Golden Globe Race organisers and see Afloat's coverage of Pat Lawless in the Golden Globe Race here
