A DORSET-BASED adventure to recreate the first circumnavigation of Africa in a wooden boat, some 2,500 years ago, has been delayed by six months.

Organisers of the Phoenicia Expedition said the voyage setback was in order to meet the crucial ‘weather windows’ for rounding the Cape of Good Hope as well as getting out of the Gulf of Aden.

The expedition involves the replica of a 600BC wooden ship, which was built in Syria.

The crew has sailed to Yemen which is where the boat will stay for the next few months.

Expedition leader Philip Beale, of East Chaldon, near Lulworth, said: “We are bitterly disappointed that we will have to break from this expedition but given the delays during the first stage of the voyage we cannot now sail out of the Gulf of Aden.

“So, just like the Phoenicians, we will have to secure the ship and wait for the prevailing winds which will turn in August.”

However, Mr Beale and his multinational crew are still on course to beat the original Phoenicians – Greek historian Herodotus recorded that the original voyage took nearly three years to complete with mariners planting crops en route and waiting for the harvests.

Mr Beale is philosophical about the delay.

He said: “The whole point of the exercise is to discover how Phoenician mariners could have achieved this circumnavigation and it is only through a process of experiencing the problems and challenges of such a vessel that we can begin to realise this.

“However, one thing is becoming clear and that is that the Phoenicians’ voyage some 2,500 years ago must rank as one of mankind’s greatest voyages of exploration, such are the complexities and difficulties involved.”

Crew are still being sought for Phase Two of the expedition beginning in September this year.

The search is on for keen adventurers aged between 17 and 60 years old to take part.

The crew will consist of up to 16 people at any one time and the expedition route has been divided into legs.

To find out more visit www.phoenicia.org.uk or call 0845 8698 441.