He has battled 30ft waves, almost capsized, and very nearly wrecked the boat – but Dominic Byrne is back at home in Truro this week after completing his amazing attempt to circumnavigate the British Isles by sea.

Sponsored by St Austell Brewery’s flagship beer, Tribute, the 50-year-old thrill seeker set off on the mammoth 2,000 mile adventure on June 12 to raise much-needed funds for Cornwall Hospice Care.

Dominic and his Dutch friend Patrick Hugenholtz took it in turns driving a 10m rigid inflatable boat (RIB) for the 12 day voyage, battling through seas for up to 15 hours a day as part of the Great British Rib Rally.

As well as fulfilling a personal ambition, Dominic has so far raised £2, 710 for Cornwall Hospice Care, which has been topped up to £5,000 by the St Austell Brewery Charitable Trust.

He said: “I can safely say it was one of the toughest challenges of my life – and I’ve got the bruises to prove it. It’ll keep me in dinner party stories for many years to come!

“I knew the rally would be risky, but I never realised quite how dangerous it could become. Our ultimate low came on day seven, when I was driving in massive seas off the tip of Scotland and we smashed straight into a wave. We went from 32 knots to nothing in a split second – thousands of gallons of water hit us, the boat was full of water, windscreen shattered, console torn. It was just awful.

“As well as the drama there were highlights – spectacular scenery, puffins as common as sparrows, whales, dolphins, basking sharks and even a sea eagle, plus the cameraderie such a challenge brings.”

Dominic, who lives with his wife Susie and children Kitty, 17, Nick, 15 and Charlie, 13, near Truro, is a former medical director at the Royal Cornwall Hospital Treliske, where he works as a consultant gynaecologist.

The trip started and finished in Portland, Dorset and the longest leg away from land was a whopping 220 nautical miles from Falmouth to Baltimore, Ireland, which took 15 hours.

Dominic said: “I’m exhausted, but delighted we managed to complete every leg. Three boats dropped out and did not complete the journey for various reasons, but we did the full 12 days. The continual pounding, poor nutrition and dehydration were testing, but the world I live in is often quite stressful, so I am used to coping with adversity and long days. After 25 years, you learn to deal with it.”

Jeremy Mitchell, marketing director for St Austell Brewery, said: “We are delighted Dominic is home safe and well from his daring quest. We all watched his progress closely and are thrilled he managed to complete it. 

“Cornwall Hospice Care is a cause close to many of our hearts and we are really proud to be able to help Dominic reach his fundraising target.”

To sponsor Dominic visit http://www.justgiving.com/Dominic-Byrne