They insist they are perfectly adept and describe their plans to cross the Atlantic in their yacht, Nora, as “just a straight sail”.But two 71-year-old American adventurers currently moored in Cornwall have been dubbed “captain calamities” after being rescued nine times before they have even left Europe.

Bob Weise and Steve Shapiro have repeatedly run into trouble since leaving Norway in July. Their latest mishap came when their 40ft vessel listed while tied up in Hayle harbour, Cornwall. It appears the pair had left a candle burning as they popped ashore to pick up groceries and it fell, setting clothes and cabinets on fire. Firefighters put out the blaze.

Shapiro said they were determined to carry on and hoped to be back at sea by the end of next week. “We are both fine. The boat fell over at low tide as it is a dry harbour. This caused a candle to fall over and started a fire on board that burnt some cabinets and my mate’s clothes. We were not on board at the time – we were getting some supplies at the nearby grocery store.

“Obviously we were not happy. It appears that a candle had not been blown out properly and a little spark relit itself.”

Shapiro, a writer originally from California, said the accusations that their whole trip had been a disaster was unfair. “It is a long trip and was always going to be arduous but we have had some wonderful sailing days.”

The pair have run into problems not just in the south-west of England but off the coasts of Norway, Scotland and Ireland. Problems have included a leak, groundings and engine failures. Shapiro said: “Nothing was dire or had anything to do with seamanship. We are totally capable guys. We’re not stupid – just brave.

“We’re learning about servicing the boat as we go. If your car gets a flat tyre and you call a mechanic does that make you incompetent? Is that a death-defying rescue? That’s the analogy I would use to describe our situation.

“The best part of the trip has been meeting wonderful people along the way and the worst part has been the disappointment of these minor incidents. Hopefully Nora will be ready for the Atlantic trip. It’s a long way but it’s just a straight sail.”

The pair aim to sail down to the Canary Islands and then across the Atlantic to the Caribbean before heading up the east coast of America to finish their journey in Maine in June.

Shapiro said he has become a donor to the lifeboat charity the RNLI. He said: “They are a great service and Britain is very lucky to have them. I have just made another donation.”