The Crew
Peter (born 1960) has been to Asia well over 100 times. As sales manager for a medium-sized company on the German-Dutch border, the trained mechanical and industrial engineer focused on this part of the world for 25 years. But his big dream was always to dive in the legendary Blue Hole of Belize. The Basel native never thought he would one day sail his own boat across the Atlantic to the Caribbean and on to Belize. A Parkinson’s diagnosis and the inability to continue working in his previous profession made him pause. This is how the idea of sailing around the world was born – without ever having sailed before. On the Amira, Peter is responsible for everything to do with engines, the generator, watermaker, diving compressor, or other machinery. He plans the conversions on board, he is the one who climbs the mast when necessary, he handles repairs, tests new sailing methods, and pulls the Wingaker – a special headsail – into the snuffer when the wind gets too heavy.
Renate (born 1963) always wanted to go on a trip around the world, but originally “someday” with a round-the-world ticket, meaning by plane. This has now turned into a boat, which the trained political scientist, who worked as a daily newspaper editor until 2022, does not regret. She loves the sea, enjoys diving, and likes sailboats – even though she had never sailed before buying the Amira. On the boat, she is responsible for everything related to software, from the plotter (the onboard navigation computer) to the Starlink internet connection and the PredictWind weather forecasting program. She plans and organizes the trips and longer crossings, handles the paperwork, especially clearing into the various countries, and has now launched the Sailing Amira website. While Peter might drop screws during a repair due to his Parkinson’s tremors, Renate sits at the plotter or PC. Always hoping that Peter’s Parkinson’s progresses slowly, giving him enough time to circumnavigate and explore the world.
