"We came back from Japan yesterday. It was exhausting, frustrating and dangerous," reports Erich Wilts in an email to the editorial team. The couple Heide and Erich (both 69) had travelled to Japan in a very spontaneous action. Four weeks ago, the great tsunami swept over their steel yacht "Freydis II", which was moored in the marina. The ship seemed lost for three days until friends of the Wilts discovered the 15 metre long, red Reinke Hydra on a rock. Just 30 kilometres away from the badly damaged Fukushima nuclear reactor.
"It lies unprotected on the cliffs and has been broken up. It is being washed over by the waves. We still have a minimal chance and have spontaneously decided to fly to Tokyo tomorrow and then we'll see," reported the Wilts on 28 March, shortly before their departure. "We bought a Geiger counter on eBay." But the trip to Japan was unsuccessful: "We were unable to free the Freydis from its predicament," writes Erich Wilts today, "instead we salvaged some fittings and equipment at low tide with the help of Japanese friends who had all lost their own boats in the tsunami. Heide and I then spent days cleaning them in the Yokohama Bayside Marina."
"Freydis II", the ship that has carried them almost 250,000 nautical miles and survived many a severe storm, even a stranding in the Antarctic, can no longer be saved. "Now we are without a ship and are looking ahead again for the first time," reports Erich Wilts, "We are now starting to sound out and sort things out. What is certain is that we will continue sailing. But the financial hurdles are high and we are no longer the youngest."
They had actually planned a charity lecture in Heidelberg on 31 March for the earthquake victims in Japan, but this had to be postponed due to the spontaneous departure. The new date is 28 April at 7.30 p.m. in Heidelberg-Neuenheim, Lutherstraße 67, with all proceeds going to the victims in Japan. "In our absence, we have already received around 3,000 euros in donations, and we hope to contribute around 2,500 euros from the entrance fees," explains Wilts, "After the damage we have seen in Japan, this is just the famous drop in the ocean - but good will also counts."
Alongside the charity lecture, Heide and Erich Wilts have launched a fundraising campaign for the tsunami victims, which will run until 31 May.
Donation account:
St John's parish
Account 100 8579
SORT CODE 67250020
Savings Bank Heidelberg
Keyword: Benefit Tsunami
If desired, a donation receipt will be issued.
The money will be held in safekeeping by the pastor of the Heidelberg-Neuenheim parish, Prof. Dr Müller, until it is absolutely certain that it will reach those who really need it.
