The “Pigeon” in Africa

Yesterday I was just on my way out of my parents' house in Wolfsburg back to Kiel, when I heard on the radio about the sinking of the yacht "dove" in front of the Moroccan port MEHDYA.

The boat belonged to the club Tübingen "migrobirdo" ("Hikers" in Esperanto), who wished to sail with two similar sized boats and the motto "Sailing for / in a different world" from Germany to South America. Members of the association, which describes itself as "modern hippies" designated, posted on their website about their intentions: „…as we cope with the distance under sail, we show on ecological alternatives: Mobility and environmental protection are compatible. "

They had overhauled the ships were launched in the summer of coarse and without much prior experience of Travemünde direction from Africa, had survived the English Channel and the Bay of Biscay well and finally reached Morocco. On the way to Rabat, they were caught in a storm at about 5 Meter high waves. As on board at this time seven (!) People were, I can imagine, what needs to be broken out of a panic on board, that the sailors tried, to reach the nearby port of MEHDYA. Here, the boat fell into the shallow entrance of the river, leading to the port city, apparently capsized in the breakers and. A nineteen year old girl was clinging to a mattress and so reach the shore floating. Of the other six sailors, including two 17 and 24-year-old young men from Baden-Württemberg , a 28-year-old Hamburg, one Austrian and two other sailors from Denmark and Slovenia is still no trace. The storm is still down there, which complicates the search works. But it is assumed, that the rest of the crew were drowned.

The “Pigeon” in Kappeln

You can imagine, how much I had taken the news of this tragedy. Nearly every hour I have searched the internet for new releases, I can sympathize greatly with the sailors, and particularly their families. My Maverick was an inch larger than the "pigeon". This shows yet again, how dangerous it can be, too naive, just as I have done then, can go on such an adventure zoom and how grateful I be, I've survived the whole thing so well.

So at this point to all the young people, I write the weekly mails, my book that motivated them, once to take such a trip: It is a valuable experience. But at the same time it is extremely important, not to lose respect for the lake.

Burkhard Pieske once said, "The lake is an independent jury, before we all are cited. And then it turns, whether we have done our homework or not. "
Although I have never been more than 8 or 9 Winds had, but also, in a 8 Meter boat quite a lot to be. Above all, when the surf waves happen…

My deepest condolences to all the families and friends of sailors. Above all, my parents are also very concerned. While I was traveling on the seas, were they, who had to endure the uncertainty at home. To go is getting easier, but to stay home and wait, it is, what is difficult. Therefore, at this point, my greatest respect to all those parents, who let their children out into the world. Whether backpacking in Australia or just sailing on the oceans.

– Video of the sailing project “Migrobirdo”

– Post on SWR 3 (first post)
(Fotoquellen: all the photos www.migrobirdo.org)

—

Same time an encouraging message: A few days ago, two Thai fishing, their 10 Meter fishing boat capsized the day before Christmas, be rescued alive. The two 22 and 24 Year-old men were saved in a cool box, which is used commonly for the cooling of fish, and were by 25 Days at sea spotted by chance by an Australian search plane on a routine flight. In the weeks before was the nordaustralische north coast has been hit by severe storms and rainfall. For both a blessing in disguise: So they were able to absorb water.

Articles from the WAZ

John