Age 72
An expert sailor and boat maker, he crossed the Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean many times. Between 1991 and 1994 he sailed around the world alone.

At the time he disappeared, he was trying to make two world records: the oldest man to sail non-stop around the world, and to do it in the smallest boat without an engine.

On April 28, 2009, the yacht “Lunatic Pirate” was found adrift by the science vessel RV Roger Revelle off the coast of Australia. After retrieving the log book and other items, the sailboat was abandoned.

Jure Šterk's last log entry, on Jan. 1, 2009, reads: "Towards the evening, I prepared tools and spare parts which I might need tomorrow on the mast – two D-shackles (large and small), cotter pins - Nothing else. The tools (pliers, cutting pliers, screwdriver, hammer) are in the other pocket of the seat. Who knows how many times I’ve gone through the action in my head? I only hope that the mast holds!"

A day later, Jan. 2, 2009, at one o’clock in the morning, Šterk recorded only his last position: "37 degrees and 46 minutes south and 99 degrees and 49 minutes east."

His son Igor Šterk said the sailing boat was found in good condition. All that was missing were his father’s wallet, documents, a camera, a camcorder and a lifeboat.

He regularly communicated by radio while sailing around the world, but all his last contact was around Jan. 1, 2009, as reported by an Australian ham radio operator.

In the end of the world

Roaring sea
screaming storm
running mountains
bloody smoky battle field.

In the salty fog hidden
black rock from the sea
worst of the worst
the terrible cape, Cape Horn.

by Jure Sterk

Age 72
An expert sailor and boat maker, he crossed the Atlantic Ocean, Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean many times. Between 1991 and 1994 he sailed around the world alone.

At the time he disappeared, he was trying to make two world records: the oldest man to sail non-stop around the world, and to do it in the smallest boat without an engine.

On April 28, 2009, the yacht “Lunatic Pirate” was found adrift by the science vessel RV Roger Revelle off the coast of Australia. After retrieving the log book and other items, the sailboat was abandoned.

Jure Šterk's last log entry, on Jan. 1, 2009, reads: "Towards the evening, I prepared tools and spare parts which I might need tomorrow on the mast – two D-shackles (large and small), cotter pins - Nothing else. The tools (pliers, cutting pliers, screwdriver, hammer) are in the other pocket of the seat. Who knows how many times I’ve gone through the action in my head? I only hope that the mast holds!"

A day later, Jan. 2, 2009, at one o’clock in the morning, Šterk recorded only his last position: "37 degrees and 46 minutes south and 99 degrees and 49 minutes east."

His son Igor Šterk said the sailing boat was found in good condition. All that was missing were his father’s wallet, documents, a camera, a camcorder and a lifeboat.

He regularly communicated by radio while sailing around the world, but all his last contact was around Jan. 1, 2009, as reported by an Australian ham radio operator.

In the end of the world

Roaring sea
screaming storm
running mountains
bloody smoky battle field.

In the salty fog hidden
black rock from the sea
worst of the worst
the terrible cape, Cape Horn.

by Jure Sterk