Rockall occupation bid postponed until 2014 after weather prevents landing Nick Hancock in the Outer Hebrides as he prepared to travel 230 miles out to Rockall with his specially designed pod. Photograph: Murdo MacLeod The adventurer Nick Hancock has decided to postpone until summer next year his attempt to occupy the islet of Rockall after being thwarted last week by dangerous conditions. His first attempt to break two occupation records by living alone on the remote tiny stub of rock 230 miles off the Western Isles, was foiled on Friday when heavy Atlantic swells made it impossible to land safely on the rock's western slope. Hancock said his options for another landing were now heavily restricted by tricky weather and sea conditions, and the availability of the Orca III leisure cruiser he needs to make the attempt. "I was always prepared for the weather being an issue - that was what was going to make or break the expedition at a variety of points," he said. It could've stopped us leaving Leverburgh harbour on Thursday, and it could've stopped me getting on the rock, and would have influenced my decision on how long I could survive out there. At least we could get out to the rock and get a proper look at the conditions and they just weren't there. That was basically out of anyone's control. That's the unfortunate thing with expeditions like this: it's like sitting at Everest base camp for a couple of months and not getting a break in the weather. For his attempt to live on Rockall for 60 days, beating a 40-day solo occupation record and a second for 43 days set by three Greenpeace campaigners, Hancock has built a watertight and insulated survival pod powered by a wind turbine and solar panel. He had already made a successful landing last June, on the Queen's 60th jubilee, but his 60-day target greatly limits his options and time: the maritime climate around Rockall gets steadily and markedly worse from August onwards. The Orca III - the only charter vessel in the Western Isles suitable and licensed for the trip, will not be available again until mid-June, pushing that 60-day limit into late summer. A chartered surveyor, Hancock has taken leave from work for the expedition and could need weeks of further preparation for a second attempt. Hancock, who is based in Ratho, Edinburgh, said he now planned to make a fresh attempt next summer and may pursue other options for getting there. I was very, very down and disappointed early on Saturday and then yesterday - really thinking about it and relaxing, I got a bit of perspective. Perhaps trying to land on Rockall two years running was optimistic.