Mummified body of missing sailor found on drifting yacht

Laura Hodgetts

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The mummified body of a German sailor has been discovered aboard a drifting yacht in the Pacific Ocean.

Manfred Fritz Bajorat was found at his chart table by fishermen from Barobo in the Philippines on Thursday afternoon, some 62 miles out to sea.

Mr Bajorat was identified by documents discovered on board the cruiser called Sayo. He is believed to have been missing since 2009.

The mummified body of a missing German sailor has been discovered aboard a drifting yacht in the Pacific Ocean. Credit Barobo Police Station

The mummified body of a missing German sailor has been discovered aboard a drifting yacht in the Pacific Ocean. Credit Barobo Police Station

A Barobo Police spokesman said at about 4pm on February 25, 2016, personnel of Barobo Police Station received information from concerned citizen that fisherman Christopher Rivas y Escarten, aged 23, from Poblacion, Barobo, Surigao del Sur and his companions had found a dead body of unidentified male person inside the yacht floating somewhere in Pacific Ocean.

Documents found on Manfred Bajorat's yacht

Documents found on Manfred Bajorat’s yacht

The fisherman, together with his companions, were around 62 miles from Surigao del Sur and about to go home when they noticed a white yacht floating with destroyed sail that prompted the reportee to enter the cruiser.

The spokesman said: ‘When he peeped inside he noticed a male person lifeless subject for decomposition sitting at the right portion of the boat believe to be the radio room.

‘Thereafter, he called his companions and decided to drag the said yacht going to the municipality of Barobo, Surigao del Sur. While on the way, the reportee contacted his friends through handheld radio about the recovered yacht.’

The yacht Sayo. Credit Barobo Police Station

The yacht Sayo. Credit Barobo Police Station

The police spokesman added: ‘That about 3:00 in the afternoon of February 26, 2016, they arrived at seawater of Barobo, Surigao del Sur due to low tide the boat stayed at the deep portion of the sea.

‘Subsequently, Personnel of this station led by SPO4 Elecito S. Rivas, MESPO, proceeded to the location to conduct investigation thereat and found out thru documents recovered referring to a certain Manfred Fritz Bajorat of German nationality, probably the owner of the ship and the recovered unidentified dead body, while the name of the ship is “Sajo”.

‘Consequently, personnel of Philippine Coast Guard and elements of rescue team of LGU-Barobo arrived.

‘Further, this station made a request to Scene Of Crime Operative from Crime Laboratory Tandag, Surigao del Sur for examination and for proper disposition of the cadaver.’

Authorities are still determining the cause of the death.