Black Diamond RTIR RNLI Fundraiser

[Black Diamond]

On Thursday 28th June, Black Diamond will be crossing the Thames Estuary at speeds of up to 40 knots, if the toll booths aren't too clogged up with traffic. The mission: To raise money for the West Mersea Lifeboat by entering the Round the Island Race, but with a difference......

From the press release:-

Our beautiful classic boat Black Diamond celebrates her Golden Jubilee in this, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee year.

We wanted to mark her 50th birthday by doing something that would challenge both the boat and her crew to the full, while at the same time raising funds for a cause very close to the hearts of all who sail the coastal waters of the UK.

So we decided to enter Black Diamond in the JP Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race 2012 on 30th June. Skipper Greg Dunn is a veteran of the event, having　completed the RTIR 2011 on the trimaran Strontium Dog. The rest of the crew are first-timers in the Solent. As is Black Diamond herself.

To make things even more fun, and because just getting round the gruelling RTIR in a 30-foot, 50-year-old plywood boat isn’t quite enough of a challenge, we’re adding another dimension . . .

A musical one!

Last year, Greg and partner Juliet Doyle founded Black Diamond Accordions – ‘The Only Range of Musical Instruments Named After a Boat’.

In the Round the Island Race 2012, Greg and fellow crew-member James Delarre of folk-rock band Mawkin will be playing Black Diamond Accordions at every possible opportunity, both ashore and afloat.　

Bearing in mind that accordions are not waterproof, conditions may prevent a lot of bellows action during the race itself. But, come what may, the boys will be playing their accordions on the boat and ashore, before and after the race, so if you are going to be in Cowes, do listen out for us and come and join the fun.


If you would like to sponsor this musical madness, please visit our donations page at www.justgiving.com/BlackDiamond

 

[NUTMEG]

James...

... is my middle son. A great helm and sail trimmer. He can be seen pondering sail trim in the latest video on my blog (link below).

As for sponsoring, I reckon I do that enough already, as he has recently moved back to the family nest!

I have chatted to James about the RTIR and, not to put too fine a point on it, he is ******** himself at the prospect. Black Diamond is about as far from dear old Alexandros as it is possible to get, an out and out race machine. Must check the household policy re. water damage to accordion!

 

[Black Diamond]

LOL!! (not the David Cameron acronym, at all!)

Don't worry, we have just taken delivery of some Black Diamond D/G melodeons, after your good counsel, and we will equip James with one of those for the voyage, don't want him ruining his Black Diamond chromatic button accordion, do we?!

I'll get to the bottom first, the 72 bass I'm playing still weighs a ton!

 

[NUTMEG]

Business idea?

Waterproof cases for squeezboxes (and other instruments) complete with built in floatation device. Must be an opportunity there if this nautical music/racing takes off.

We spent the evening in Pyfleet creek a while ago, on a mooring, practicing Argentinian tango! Surreal.

Funny things you get up to on a boat sometimes.

Good luck with the practice on Sunday, forecast looks lively.

Oh, alright, we will sponsor Black Diamond. Such a mad idea is worth supporting.

Steve

 

[Black Diamond]

Hey, thanks, Steve, very kind, on top of bed & board.

Regarding waterproof cases, I think I may have seen the future at Oxford Folk Weekend; hosing rain, a morris side dancing and a musician with his pride and joy in a black bin liner!

 

[Athene V30]

Barking mad clearly!! . Can you do a YouTube video too?

I did the RTIR last year, well I was OOW on HMS Puncher and followed the fleet and assisted with supporting the retiring and broken boats. Best day on the water in a MOBO is ages. About 1800 boats beating to the needles in a F5 last year so not sure there will be much music on the beat!

 

[GrumpyOldGit]

Saw 'Black Diamond' in Mersea roads yesterday, what a stunning boat! Did actually shout as much to the guys on board, from our friend's First 31.7..

We will be taking part, weather permitting, in the RTIR this year in our Dehler 34 'Shearjoy' so if you see us going backwards give us a wave or a quick hornpipe on the squeeze box as you disappear into the melee !!

Steve