Sunday February 12, 2023, the body of a French navigator was found aboard his sailboat, off Japan. Joël Lanilis had not given any sign of life since October 2022.
It is the end of several months of anguish and hope for the family of Joël Lanilis. Sunday February 12, the body of the 62 year old navigator was found aboard his sailboat adrift. 3 and a half years earlier, the man from Finistère had embarked on a solo trip around the world, aboard his 12-meter sailboat, named Késako. On a stopover in Tahiti, he announced on October 13, 2022: “Tomorrow, departure to Caledonia“. From, no more signs of life from this seasoned navigator.
If Joël Lanilis had stopped giving news, his AIS beacon continued to transmit, his relatives had sounded the alert on December 21 and the ship had been spotted. Indeed, a freighter had seen the skipper’s sailboat drifting north of the Marshall Islands, but had not been able to reach it because of a storm. “There were no traces of life on the deck. One of Kesako’s sails was completely torn. There was a mess on deck. The sailboat was drifting, buffeted by the waves. We wanted to know more” reported Émilie Tual, the niece of the disappeared to Sails and Sailboats.
The circumstances of the death of Joël Lanilis are unknown
On Sunday February 12, Japanese rescuers managed to locate Joël Lanilis’ sailboat and reach it. Once on board, they made a terrible discovery since the lifeless body of the browser was found. “We were not given the reasons for this death. We only know that they found my dead uncle on board. We don’t know the circumstances or what could have happened to him.“said his niece.
The rescuers have recovered the body of Joël Lanilis as well as some of his personal effects. It is expected to arrive in Japan between February 16 and 17. For its part, the sailboat Késako was left adrift, its towing being impossible. Very sad news for the relatives of the man who died practicing his passion.