nears the final leg of a two-year solo voyage.

Mr. Pinkney hopes to be the first solo black sailor to make it around the globe the long way, via both capes. He called at the Island in August, 1990, soon after setting off from Boston.

His 47-foot yacht Commitment is expected here either around 4 p.m. today or very early tomorrow morning, said Ms Shirley Perinchief of Prism Heights, Southampton ---a friend of Mr. Pinkney since meeting him on a New York skiing trip more than 20 years ago.

"He called Tuesday and said he was trying to do 140 miles a day,'' said Ms Perinchief. "He sounded wonderful and excited, and he's anxious to make it back to Bermuda.'' Mr. Pinkney, a grandfather from Chicago, is a former Hollywood make-up man who became the first black marketing director for Revlon cosmetics. He gained $350,000 in sponsorships for his voyage, including cash from actor Mr. Bill Cosby, whom he met when both were in the US Navy.

He has kept in touch with Ms Perinchief throughout his voyage, and has even sent her a video. "He's a dynamic man,'' she said. "He's been complaining because he's very lonely. He's been on the water for nearly 30 days and he's anxious to physically touch people.'' Mr. Pinkney has been eating astronaut-type freeze-dried meals, she said. The capes had been the most difficult parts of his trip.

During his voyage Mr. Pinkney has used the latest communications equipment to keep contact with around 150 schools across America in a special educational programme. He hopes to go one better than Mr. Ted Seymour, the only other black yachtsman to attempt to sail solo round the world, who in 1987 made it via the Panama and Suez canals. Bermuda is Mr. Pinkney's last port of call before he heads back to Boston.

Ms Perinchief said Mr. Pinkney could be contacted via VHS channel 16, while his readings could be picked up from Harbour Radio.

Mr. Colin Pearman, of C.W. Pearman and Son Funeral Service, Somerset, who met Mr. Pinkney on his first visit, said he might go out with some other boats and greet him.