Team is in shockProfessional sailor Boris Herrmann mourns the loss of a crew member who died in an accident

April 25, 2026 around 5:56 p.m Clock

Mourning for Lukas Wehage (†32)

According to the team, a crew member of the research ship “Malizia Explorer” of the solo circumnavigator Boris Herrmann had a fatal accident off the Brazilian coast. The Malizia team is deeply saddened to confirm, together with the family, the death of the 32-year-old from Germany, the statement said on Thursday. The accident occurred on Wednesday in the area of ​​Fernando de Noronha, a group of islands off the coast of Brazil.

Boris Herrmann's team acquired the approximately 26 meter long research vessel in 2025 for scientific expeditions in addition to their racing boats. Among other things, the environmental activist Luisa Neubauer took part in a four-week research trip to Antarctica with the research glider last January.

Herrmann and his team support the family of the accident victim

Herrmann, from Hamburg, was at his team's headquarters in Lorient, France, at the time of the accident. The team and Herrmann are in close contact with the family of the accident victim and “offer their full support during this incredibly difficult time”.

At the same time, the team is working with the local and German authorities. Support will also be provided to “those on board who were affected by the tragic event”.

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The ship arrived from Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday and was anchored in the bay of Praia do Porto in the northeast of the main island. The team had made a planned stopover there as part of a scientific project before the planned Atlantic crossing. (dpa/dga)

Sources used: dpa