than the assisted sailing record. However, multiple problems with the autopilot required that repairs be made in lengthy stopovers in Lisbon and the Canary Islands; then further stops were made in Cape Town, Hobart and Auckland. By March 2009 Perham had decided to aim for the record of the youngest solo circumnavigation, though he continued to make a continuous passage without use of his engine. The decision to accept assistance along the way, along with harsh winter conditions, led Perham to decide to travel through the Panama Canal rather than sail around Cape Horn. Money raised from the voyage was to be donated to Save the Children and the Tall Ships Youth Trust. Perham took the record from Zac Sunderland, an American who completed his journey in July 2009 at the age of 17 years, 7 months. However, Sunderland's record was not recognized by Guinness. Perham and Sunderland met unexpectedly in Cape Town, South Africa, in February 2009, along with Minoru Saito, a Japanese sailor who is the oldest person to circumnavigate the world solo. The record was then challenged by younger sailors. Jessica Watson from Australia (whom Michael met when he stopped in Australia) has done a solo non-stop voyage, completed 15 May 2010. They are near friends. Abby Sunderland from the USA (sister to Zac Sunderland) departed on 23 January 2010, on a journey similar to Perham's. She used a race boat, planned non-stop, but had to make stops for repairs - however, after a demasting it was announced that she would be giving up her attempt. The 16-year-old Laura Dekker from The Netherlands became the youngest solo-round-the-world sailor, albeit with planned stops. She finished in Sint Maarten on 21 January 2012. Perham has subsequently written a book about the journey, called Sailing the Dream, released 18 March 2010 (). Homecoming Perham officially crossed the finishing line at 09:47:30 local time on 27 August 2009. He was escorted across the line by HMS Mersey (a Royal Navy guard ship), a Royal Naval helicopter and a flotilla of small boats, mostly carrying people from the press and media. Perham's official homecoming reception and press conference was at Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth on 29 August 2009, where he was met by friends, family and Vendée Globe yachtsman Tony Bullimore. Shortly after landing back on shore, Perham was handed his framed Guinness World Record certificate. Following challenges Perham planned to take