A father has told how he survived tropical storms and shark-infested waters to bring his family's yacht back to Essex.

Four years ago the Francis family from East Mersea sold up their business, rented out their home and set off on their dream - a round the world trip aboard their 42ft ketch, Norn.

Having crossed the Atlantic and then the Panama Canal and Pacific, Chris, 41, wife Jane, and children Zak, nine, and seven-year-old Tara, finally stopped in New Zealand.

But their dream came to an abrupt end last year when the people renting their Shop Lane home left, and their income to support the epic journey ceased. The family had to fly home.

Last December Chris returned to bring Norn back home, and roped in Mersea neighbour Terry Lancefield and William Palmer, of Cambridge, to help.

Off the coast of Brazil the real drama began. In pounding seas one night, Chris climbed to the front of the boat to stow one of the sails, a manoeuvre that nearly cost him his life.

He slipped and fell into waters renowned for their shark population.

"As I was not clipped on, I swam to the back of the boat, where there was a line for just such occasions," he said. "But the boat was going so fast, I could not hold on. The boat was on automatic pilot, and went on with the two crew on board.

"As they tried to start the engine to come back, they broke the key, and had to tack back through 20-foot seas and headwinds. I was in the water for an hour.

"I wasn't worried about them not coming back for me, but the coast off Brazil is well-known for sharks," he said.

By chance, the day before he had transferred a light from his old lifejacket to his new one. "Without that, I would certainly have been a goner," Chris added.

After the perils of the infamous Cape Horn he was thrilled to return home on Wednesday to Jane and his children, now aged 13 and 11.

But with the family now settling down to a land-based life, Norn is up for sale.

"The children think it is great, but my son is very disappointed that it is going to be sold. He wants to do the same thing and take off round the world," he said.

There are plans for Norn to give trips to youngsters at Mersea Youth Camp where Chris works over the summer as an instructor.

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