Tony Bulimore

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Rum_Pirate

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I just received my copy of the July issue of a PBO Magazine.

On page 8, it said that Tony Bulimore when doing a "routine rigging check" . . "discovered that the pin holding his forestay to the deck had been jarred loose"."

This despite "months of preparation" and the ship is spoiled for a ha'penny worth of tar as the saying goes.

Erm, pardon my ignorance, but surely such an important pin would be held in place by a retainer or even a simple "split pin" at worst.

I find that it stretches my imagination that such an important pin could be simply 'jarred' loose.

Or is there something important missing from the report?
 
Obviously not, but as the OP has pointed out hardly smacks of a thourough and comprehensive preperation for a single handed rtw attempt. Even on most "normal" sailing vessels rudemetary checks are made of all rigging terminal etc.

Prior to sailing ex whitbread and volvo 60's on transatlantic deliverys and races these checks are paramount.

Poor show IMHO
 
Re: Tony Bulimore Waffle!

Oh do stop waffling on!

Mistakes happen all the time.

Its not possible to eliminate all errors. You have to do your best, but being able to sort it when things do (and they will) go wrong is what counts.

This is just a high profile example and, as it was a record attempt, he couldn't afford the time to fix it.
 
I see Captain Calamity is still getting support from large company's and still getting insured!

Back to basics eh Tony?

Single handed RTW, is that because he can't find anyone to sail with him while he is Skipper?

.
 
Re: Tony Bulimore Waffle!

Mistakes do indeed occur

However

I would expect the pin holding the forestay and in turn the whole rig to be very much to the top end of the "things to check 3 times" list
 
You don't think perhaps the expression 'jarred loose' might be more about sloppy journalism than reality? Do you really think he forgot to put split pins in his clevises?
 
I reckon he should have done his first rigging check before he set off and if he follows the same diligent routine as he did when he discovered it was loose, he should have spotted that it was insecurely retained in the first place.
 
Re: Tony Bulimore Waffle!

I,m with you, it,s easy to sit in front of a computor and knock him all the time, at least he has the b#lls to get out and try. He has more guts than me and I suspect, his critics.
 
Re: Tony Bulimore Waffle!

The only thing that he has the balls for is ill preperation and putting himself in the position where he will put him self and possible rescuers into a nasty situation. Those pins do not just pop out. If it had sheared, bent or some other "failure" then fair enough, looking at the photo posted it looks like a rudimentary check hasn't been carried out.

Another poster has correctly stated that this pin as well as all other connecting and terminal to the boat mast should have been checked 2-3 times before he left and at least those on deck daily.

As for sitting at my computer well yes, but I have been in similar weather situation and good seamanship will see you out the other side, although not SH. It would appear that more time was spent looking at the longrange forecast than the basics.
 
Re: Tony Bulimore Waffle!

Aren,t we all brilliant armchair sailors, he is a braver, better seaman than any of us HEROES, pontificating about his deficiencies. Well done all of US!
 
Re: Tony Bulimore Waffle!

Perhaps it WAS checked regularly & was ok. Then the next time the retainer has been pulled out (snagged on a sheet or sail perhaps) and the rig is then at risk as the clevis pin has moved. fairly typical sailing SNAFU as I see it. I have had the same happen to shrouds & stays on my own boats in the last 25 years or so.

Most of us, would take the strain off it, reseat it & fit another retaining ring/pin. But then we don't sail a boat like his! I suspect he would have done the same if he could - whatever your opinion of him, he is not a person who gives up easily!
 
Re: Tony Bulimore Waffle!

Nor do I. I think he's a top bloke who gets off his arse and does 100 times more than just about anyone on here. But then they're all perfect and have probably done it all before and got the tee shirt.
 
Tony happened to be on the dock as I came off a weeks dayskipper course in Gib six years ago. He signed my logbook and had a beer with me congratulating me and giving loads of encouragement. I have since sailed halfway round the world, made sailing my career and lived aboard on and off for 5 yrs. Cheers Tony, you were/are a big inspiration.

Hats off to your tenacity and life of real adventure. Most can only dream of a life as full of guts and adventure as yours.
 
Re: Tony Bulimore Waffle!

[ QUOTE ]
I do not understand all this Anti-Bulimore feeling on this forum.

[/ QUOTE ]

I think the underlying feeling is that apart from getting rescued a lot, he hasn't really achieved much.

OTOH, what have those sniping at him achieved?
 
Re: Tony Bulimore Waffle!

The guy spent wot a week(?) freezing his butt off upside down in the S atlantic, and is still having a hack at it?

I spent the afternoon today at Glastonbury in the rain and mud, and was quickly hankering after the Berkley.

I dont know him, dont know what happened to his forestay, but, I sure aint goin to slag off a guy who clearly has considerbly more chutzpa than I have!

Ever had a real run of bad luck?
 
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