An American teenager left Marina del Rey, California on Saturday in a bid to become the youngest person to circumnavigate the globe.

Zac Sunderland, 16, hopes to complete the journey by January 2010 in order to beat the current record.

He is sailing an Islander 36,Intrepidwhich he has refitted himself. His departure had to be postponed due to a faulty engine, which eventually had to be replaced. Zac’s next stop is the Marshall Islands, 4,000 miles away. Previously home-schooled, Zac is taking a year’s worth of homework with him, which he will email home when complete. He told the BBC, “I have to send back my tests [via e-mail] to my mum. She’s going to grade them and make sure I am doing well.”

Keep up with his progress on his website and blog. 

Photo Credit: www.zacsunderland.com