While two fishermen were off the southern coast of the Philippines, they suddenly spotted a drifting yacht with a broken sail off in the distance. However, when the pair got close enough to climb aboard, they were more than horrified to see what was inside the cabin – and it’s not exactly anything you’d expect.
Christopher Rivas, 23, was fishing with a friend in the Pacific Ocean when they found an abandoned yacht drifting in the water. The white yacht appeared to have been through some rough travels. The sail was broken and the cabin was mostly underwater.
The 40-foot-long yacht, named SAYO (Image Source: Mirror)
When the pair were close enough to climb aboard the 40-foot-long yacht, named SAYO, they were horrified by what they found. Inside of the underwater cabin were “photo albums, clothes, and tins of food strewn all around,” according to Daily Mail. Also inside was the mummified body of a man named Manfred Fritz Bajorat.
The mummified body of Manfred Fritz Bajorat (Image Source: Daily Mail)
Manfred’s dead body was found sitting near the radio telephone in what seems to be his last desperate Mayday call to save his own life. Before Manfred passed away, he had spent the past 20 years sailing across the world.
It seems the body was mummified as a result of the dry ocean winds, hot temperatures, and the salty air. Police are currently investigating his last voyages in an attempt to determine who he last spoke to and how long ago he had passed away. Currently, the last known person to hear from Manfred was approximately one year ago on his birthday.
A close-up of Manfred Fritz Bajorat’s body
“He was a very experienced sailor,” explained a world sailor named Dieter. “I don’t believe he would have sailed into a storm. I believe the mast broke after Manfred was already dead.”
Dr. Mark Benecke, a forensic criminologist, said, “The way he is sitting seems to indicate that death was unexpected, perhaps from a heart attack,” according to Mirror. His body has since been taken for an autopsy in Butuan City to help uncover some answers to the man’s sudden death. His next of kin are being tracked down in Germany.
Manfred Fritz Bajorat
Although it may seem like an unfortunate circumstance, there’s no better way for a person to die than to be doing something they love. This is a blessing not many of us are likely to receive when our time comes.