Adventurer hopes to avoid pirates

Jason Lewis hopes to complete his expedition next summer

An adventurer attempting a human-powered world trip is to set sail from India to the Horn of Africa.

Jason Lewis, 38, from Bridport, Dorset, will be making the 1,800-mile (2,896km) voyage in his 26ft (7.9m) wooden pedal boat "Moksha" - built in Exeter, Devon.

The latest leg of his challenge will see him sailing through seas infamous for the number of attacks by pirates.

Mr Lewis said the pirates usually targeted "commercial yachts with money" and would hopefully ignore his craft.

I would feel more comfortable having another pair of eyes on board while I sleep Jason Lewis

Mr Lewis said: "I think they will probably leave us alone.

"The plan is to try and keep around 150 miles from the Somali coast to reduce the likelihood of running into these characters.

"From my experience of running into these type north of Cuba and in the Solomon Islands, they do not know what to make of us, but there is no reason to be complacent."

Mr Lewis is hoping to recruit a fellow pedaller for the voyage.

"The area is a very busy shipping lane, and I would feel more comfortable having another pair of eyes on board while I sleep," he said.

In all, Mr Lewis has clocked up more than 40,000 miles (64,374km) since his muscle-powered marathon began 12 years ago.

He is expected to finish at Greenwich in London in the summer of 2007.