Edward (Eddie) Anker
Edward, or Eddie Anker, (aged 75 and sailing solo), set sail from Hout Bay, South Africa on 26 December 2012, with a plan to sail 'straight across' to Australia - amost the final leg of his circumnavigation which would have been completed on his arrival in New Zealand.
He never arrived in Australia.
Extensive searches were made and finally at the end of September 2013, official, active searches were called off.
Eddie preferred to sail without too much technology and to take the routes of the old sailing days. Indeed for the first part of his circumnavigation, he sailed without an engine back up, only installing a small outboard when it became absolutely necessary due to navigational restrictions around Chile.
Comments have been made about him -
"Edward was an amazing character" "One hell of a guy" "a lovely unassuming man" "I'm glad I got to now this excellent man and will always remember him as an inspiration" "a gentle unassuming man, with a great deal of compassion, kindness and warmth"
He will be missed by very many people around the world.
A Memorial Fund has been set up in his name to benefit the Royal National Lifeboat Institution of the United Kingdom. If anyone would like to add memories or photos of Eddie to the page, or to make a donation please contact me for the link, or search for Eddie Anker on the fund pages of the RNLI website.
fair winds and safe sailing to you all.
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