Great Debate

[StewartC]

In June's MBM (out now), we question the decision by Pete Bethune, skipper of the biodiesel-powered trimaran Earthrace, to continue his round the world record attempt despite the death of a Guatemalan fisherman.

What do you think? Should the record attempt have continued?

As always, the results will be printed in an upcoming MBM.

 

[sarabande]

a bit late to ask this question , isn't it ?

The poll doesn't really advance the case for a "set of conditions" for attempting to do stupid things in boats.

Sounds as if you are
a) short of space in the mag
b) desperate for reader participation and involvement.

 

[StewartC]

No, it's not. I'm not sure if you're familiar with MBM or magazine publishing, but we are a monthly title, and as such, are required to work a long way in advance. It is simply not possible to be immediately reactive with issues like this. Also, the inherent difficulties in trying to track down a skipper in a motorboat racing round the world and getting him to pen an answer for us meant we could only run this Great Debate in June's issue (out now).

Your second point about a "set of conditions" I don't really understand.

Further...

a) No, far from it. And we run a Great Debate every month.
b) Yes, we are always looking for readers to take part in the magazine, as is exemplified by our Skippers' Club. If you are interested in joining, you can find more information here.

 

[jhr]

Stewart,

It strikes me that this is exactly the kind of debate that should - and does - get aired on the Forum at the time it happens, although I think the denizens of Scuttlebutt were probably more vocal than folks on here about this particular incident.

Try a Forum search (if you can get it to work /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif).

To save you asking about the great mid-Pacific biofuel crisis in a couple of months' time, try looking here and, more fruitfully, here /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif.

 

[duncan]

I voted yes on the understanding that they restarted rather than continued. I also feel they showed not the slightest consideration for the race when they were searching the waters etc - as it should be. Compare this to some well documented incidents in the Solent!

 

[Sneds]

Here here