A Chennai stop for world voyager

CHENNAI: When German seafarer Scholz Gerhard Horst arrived unannounced outside the Chennai port on September 26 on a 29-foot boat, he was naturally denied entry. For, Scholz did not have the documents necessary to enter Indian waters. On Tuesday, Scholz, who has since obtained a temporary entry permit, is relaxed and quite at ease with all the media attention he is receiving.
For him, it is just one of the blips on a journey that he began in July, 2008. "I retired on July 2 and on July 5, I began my trip round the world," says the 59-year-old.
After setting sail from Berlin on his yacht, Inspiration II, Scholz covered England, Spain, Portugal, French Guinea, Canada, Columbia and the Galapagos Islands. His last port of call was Thursday Islands, Australia. "I set sail on August 12 and planned to go to Galle, Sri Lanka and get a visa there on arrival," says Scholz, who ran into rough weather before he could make it to Galle. "My sails were damaged and the winds were against me. I had the option of going to Trincomalee or heading to Chennai," he says. "I was also running out of food and fuel after being on the sea for 44 days."
Near Trincomalee, Scholz was chased by a group of fishermen and changed his course to Chennai. "Once I reached the
harbour, I contacted the port through my wireless," says Scholz.
"We had no earlier information about his arrival. Security patrol boats manned by the marine police and CISF went out to him but he did not have immigration clearance or an Indian visa," says a senior port official. "Since it is a high security area, we cannot let anyone without proper documents in."
That's when the Tamil Nadu Sailing Association (TNSA) stepped in. "We spoke to the immigration authorities, and after clearance from the immigration, customs and the port got a temporary entry permit on September 26 itself so that he could come into the harbour," says Ashok Thakkar, commodore of the TNSA. The German consulate has also stepped in. "They are helping him get a 72-hour temporary Indian visa by October 2," says Shantha Ravikumar, TNSA. Scholz then plans to fly to Colombo, get both Sri Lankan and Indian visas and return. "I plan to go to Sri Lanka, then Kochi, Goa, Mumbai, Yemen, Egypt, Marseilles and back to Berlin," says Scholz, who is determined to complete his dream trip.
This is not the first time that Scholz has attempted such a journey across the seas. He first set out on Inspiration I in 1996-1998. "Then I lost both my boat and my wife," laughs Scholz, who first began sailing in the lakes of Berlin when he was 10. While the yacht sank in the Bay of Mexico, his wife left him. "I found a new boat and a new wife," says Scholz, eyes twinkling. "Though I don't know if my wife Angela will still be waiting for me when I return next year."
Though he hates sailing by himself, Scholz is all alone on his voyage round the world. "My wife thinks I am crazy to
be doing this," says Scholz. For days on end, Scholz traverses the seas without meeting a single soul. "I speak to my boat; she's my girlfriend," he says.
Life aboard Inspiration II is tough. Below deck, a tiny kerosene stove is tucked into a corner. The sitting area, filled with books and his laptop, leads to a tiny bedroom and toilet. There is also solar panel that produces enough power for the GPS navigator equipment and laptop. "The boat has a diesel engine with a 120-litre tank, but I use it only to go into ports. I am a real sailor," says the lean and wiry Scholz, who sports a gold hoop in one ear.
Food is not a problem when he sets out. "I then have tomatoes and potatoes," says Scholz. After a couple of weeks it is tinned food, bread, macaroni and onions with rice. "It can get quite boring," says Scholz. And though he loves his beer while in port, drinking is a strict no. Even sleeping is in snatches. "I never sleep for more than an hour at a stretch, for I am all alone and have to be aware of what's around me," says Scholz.
Fresh water is also precious. "I can stock 100 litres of water but it runs out, so I collect rain water," he says. So instead of a bath, he opts for a swim in the sea. As for falling ill, it is "simply not allowed," he states firmly. "When I was working, I had a paunch, now I have lost 10 kgs and am fit," says Scholz, who claims he has never fallen ill at sea. "There is fresh air, I don't eat much as I am a bad cook and I get plenty of exercise, so how can I become sick?" he asks.
Doesn't he ever get lonely? "I have my boat and books for company. I also write a report on my travels which I send to my sailing club back home," he says. His family also visits him sometimes. "My wife came to Australia and my daughter and son also visit," says Scholz.
For now, he is eagerly waiting for his Indian visa. "I feel at home here; I have seen little children learning to
sail on a Sunday and it's just like it is back home," he says. "Sailing is a hobby for adults but is a good sport for kids and makes them healthy and strong," he says.
priya.menon@timesgroup.com