Help Micha after Pantagruel sunk in cyclone Yasa

At 5am on 18th December as cyclone Yasa raged through north eastern Fiji I received an awful message from Micha’s satellite device that Pantagruel was badly on the rocks and he hoped she would survive until the winds calmed down. A few hours later he wrote that the crew were safely ashore but that the boat had sunk. 

It’s a big relief that no one was hurt and that all crew are well but absolutely devastating to hear about Pantagruel.

At the moment all 6 crew are still on the small island close to the wreck, plenty of food and water and are not hurt. The main island where they are is called Vanau Balavu and it was badly hit by the cyclone so phone communication with the island has been almost impossible. We’ve been in contact with RCC (Fiji Search and Rescue) and Sea Mercy and the police and several people on the island have now been informed of their whereabouts. The weather was still too bad yesterday (18th) for anyone to reach them but we are hopeful that they will make it to the main island today (19th). They have 2 dinghies with outboards (plus the liferaft) and plan to travel to a spot on the main island of Vanau Balavu (about half a mile as the crow flies) this afternoon if the weather allows. From that spot they should be able to walk up a bush track to a house where people are staying and are aware of them.

I’ve been overwhelmed with messages of support for Micha so I’ve made this page so we can work together. At the moment our only communication with them is via text message from his satellite device so I don’t have a lot of details. 

I know many of us wish there will be a way to save the boat, but we need to properly speak to Micha to work out if it’s possible. It’s heartbreaking to think of this beautiful historic ship that many of us have so many amazing memories of on sinking like this. I can’t even imagine how Micha feels after the lifetime of love and energy poured into her. 

It’s hard to know what the next steps will be until we can talk to Micha but for sure he will need all the support he can get. I will update this page as I find out more, but I wanted to get this started.

I have no idea what to put as an goal amount, but I can change it at any time and it also doesn’t matter if we raise more or less. Micha has asked that the money be transferred to his fathers account, Gert Sinzel, as this is going to be the simplest way for him to access the money. Gofundme requires that I include this information here.

Thanks everyone, your support in this will mean so much.