HOMAGE TO CAPTAIN HEINER SUMFLETH. (R.I.P.)

[versión español]

Heiner Sumfleth was born in Cuxhaven, Germany, on 15 June 1921.

There, he went to school till he started his seafaring career in 1937.

All the ancestors on his father’s side have been seamen. So it seems quite normal that he went to sea in October 1937 aboard the German 4-masted bark “Priwall” of the famous “P-Line” of Ferdinand Laeisz Company. He remained onboard that ship after 2 voyages and rounded Cape Horn 4 times.

At the time he completed the relevant sea experience to enter the Merchant Navy Academy, he served on board German coasters as A.B. mostly in the Baltic trade as the war had started.

In November 1941, he gave the examination to serve as mate on ships sailing overseas and was employed as 2nd Mate and Chief Mate on different ships in war service.

After the war, there were no ships left, only tug boats. Therefore he had to wait until 1947 when he was employed as 2nd Mate again.

In 1950, he gained his Master’s ticket after he had passed the examination with Distinction. For the next 3 years he found employement as Chief Officer and Captain till he was assigned as Pilot on the Elbe river. He worked in that function till he retired 1986.

Heiner married Elfie in August 1945 and became father of a son and a daughter.

In 1973, he became a member of the A.I.C.H. and was elected president of the Elbe District in 1987. In October 1990, he became president of the German Cape Horners when the two districts were amalgamated.

In 1992, the Cap Hornier – medaille “Pour le Mérite” was granted to him.

In 1996, he was elected Grand Mât of the Cap Horniers with the title of “Albatros d’Honneur”.

In May 2003, he was in charge of conducting AMICALE's final memorable meeting held in the "De l'Universe" hotel in Saint Malo, place in which the French Captains had founded AMICALE in 1937.

Captain Sumfleth was a dearest friend to the Chilean Brotherhood. In 1992, he participated in the inauguration ceremony of the CAPE HORN monument. In 1994, he was invited by the Chilean Navy to visit Easter Island and, in 1995, he attended the 51st International Cape Horners World Congress held in Valparaíso.

The death of Captain Heiner Sumfleth's wife in 2000 affected him deeply, which caused his health to deteriorate drastically. Unfortunately, he passed away in Hamburg on 18 October 2005. The religious service will be held in Hamburg on 1st November. His ashes will be thrown into the Elbe River on 1st December.