Mike Harker

Bad news: Mike Harker died from a stroke on 04/01/2011 63 years old.

http://www.stmaartendivers.com/index…his-yacht.html


Adventurer Mike Harker passes away on his yacht
MARIGOT--The Sailing communities in St. Maarten and abroad will be mourning the loss of well known American sailor, photo journalist, and adventurer Mike Harker who died reportedly from a stroke last Friday while on his yacht anchored in Marigot Bay.
The 64-year-old Harker was in the news in July of last year when he was savagely beaten and robbed aboard his yacht in the Simpson Bay Lagoon. The incident was widely reported in the international sailing press.
Harker rose to prominence as a pioneer hang glider pilot following an early career as a gifted athlete, particularly as a champion water skier. In 1973 ZDF German television produced a 30-minute documentary on his world record flight from Mt. Zugsptize in Germany. The documentary helped promote the development of hang gliding in Europe. Harker produced other documentaries on hang gliding in the mid-70s which were presented on television in 16 countries.
But a near fatal hang glider fall in April 1977 from 400 ft up left him paralysed from the waist down. He defied the odds, however, and in 2007 after years of recovery regained partial use of his legs and went on to become a long distance sailor cruising around the world for a year on his Hunter 49 Sloop Wanderlust 3.
Gary Brown, host of Island 92's Yacht Blast and Editorial Director of All at Sea Magazine, had the privilege of interviewing Harker on his radio show.
"He was an inspiration. His life read like an action adventure novel," Gary recalled. "That Mike survived the horrific accident in Grenada is a testament to the man's character. He knew about music, he loved the sea, he was a gentleman. It was an honour to have met him."
The funeral home on French St. Maarten is appealing to family or friends of the late Mike Harker to call (0590) 27.96.70.

RIP Mike
Jürgen Karpf