By Vasinatta Yama – EM TV, Port Moresby
A 73-year-old German sailor was rescued yesterday afternoon in Gulf Province by tracking company, Gobe Freight Service.
The sailor, Morritz Herrmann, started a one-man journey to sail around the world in 2010.
Setting out from Germany, he rounded his way through Europe, Africa, the Caribbean, Venezuela and then to the Pacific.
Upon his journey to Cook Islands, rough seas saw his boat drift to a small Island called Hitutaki. He stayed there for a year before he repaired his boat in Vanuatu in 2014, and intended to set sail to Thursday Island; however, he went off course.
Coming to PNG was not a part of his original plan, but the boat’s steering got locked.
One week ago, he was rescued by Steamships Company and brought to Port Moresby, where he repaired his boat and again continued his journey.
This time, vessel GFS Marine 02 detected his location while he was making a distress call.
GFS received a call from National Maritime Service Authority (NMSA) to rescue the yacht.
Herrmann was hit in the head few days ago when the strong wind blew his boat. This had made him sick and he lost his appetite.
His boat is now currently moored at the Yacht Club in Port Moresby, and he’s receiving medical assistance there.
Herrmann now 73, started sailing around the world when he was just 20-years-old.
