Tony Bullimore is missing

[Guillermo]

"ALMOST 10 years after he was plucked from the Southern Ocean by the Australian Navy in a rescue effort that cost $6 million, the English yachtsman Tony Bullimore has again sparked fears for his safety by failing to contact authorities for more than a week.
The 67-year-old is skippering a 31-metre catamaran as part of a solo attempt to circumnavigate the globe in 70 days, but appears to have run into trouble on the way to the start line in Tasmania."

More info at:http://www.smh.com.au/news/world/bullimore-sets-off-new-alert/2006/11/14/1163266554472.html

[MikeJohns]

Hopefully for him its just a case of electroncs failure from a lightning strike. Worst case scenarios are pretty grim. We'll keep fingers crossed.

Odd that its taken 9 days to report him missing, why no daily scheds?

[joz]

Its been reported today on 3AW that Tony Bullimore is missing and that he has a crew of 5 people onboard his 31 metre cat which went missing.

[Poida]

Mike
He is supposed to be approaching Fremantle.

I live about 15 minutes from Perth and I don't have broad band.
1 hour out of Perth and there's no mobile phone reception.
What chance has anybody 1 week out of Fremantle got, of making any sort of contact with anything apart from fishes.

[Poida]

In the news today he has a crew of 4 aboard. Left his last port of call north of Fremantle and his position at the moment is estimated to be south of Fremantle and is next port of call is Fremantle.

I wouldn't be surprised if turns up at Capetown.

[yipster]

whats in "missing for a week", i would think he has his epirbs set up right, than again...

[Guillermo]

More vague news:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200611/s1789625.htm

[Poida]

If Bullimor's coming back to Australia I hope it's to repay the money he owes us.

[safewalrus]

Doubt that Poida, not his style - man is or was a freeloader! (and in my opinion not a very good one) I do fear for the people with him, especially as it was supposed to be a 'solo' voyage! But what do I know, hey!

[MikeJohns]

Mike
He is supposed to be approaching Fremantle.

I live about 15 minutes from Perth and I don't have broad band.
1 hour out of Perth and there's no mobile phone reception.
What chance has anybody 1 week out of Fremantle got, of making any sort of contact with anything apart from fishes.

Poida

These are media sponsorship events, and like all modern shipping thay use sattelite phones these days (the iridium network). Full clear worldwide coverage, internet, personal weather forcasting media interviews video transmission and all. Thats how your news reporters have been sending footage from darkest Uzbekaganistraq for years. But that aside I managed to talk to a friend on my HF till he was past Easter island so he'd have good contact with a functioning HF to Sth African and Australian stations.

Fingers crossed

[Guillermo]

You may get daily news form Tom Bullimore at his site: http://www.teambullimore.com/
No more news for the time being....

[longliner45]

how can a rescue cost 6 million ?

[RHough]

how can a rescue cost 6 million ?

government efficiency :)

[safewalrus]

and media coverage!

[safewalrus]

Good (or bad, depending on your view :eek: ) news they've been in touch according to Guillermo's link above - good old Gilly, came up trumps again! :) With his knowledge one wonders if he has time to work? but seriously he's a useful guy to have around -what am I saying? :?: luckily he won't believe I'm being nice to him (which is more than I would be to the other chap, the one this link is about!):D

[Guillermo]

Hey, Mike! I think I'm beginning to like you! ;)

[safewalrus]

Hell that's my cover blown! But Guillermo only the truth mate :)

[MikeJohns]

He is approaching Albany Western Australia today. His phone died !

[longliner45]

please dont tell me he is another that dont make provisions , such as 2 vhf radios for a professional,,,(Im not impressed)longliner

[Vega]

Or perhaps we wanted some free publicity. It looks that he have managed that:D

[longliner45]

I would hope not ,,its not too funny to be worried about someone at sea. I dont know the man,or anything about him.but like I said ,,Im not very impressed with his safety provisions,,,,,one must always prepare for war in time of peace,,,,,,,longliner , also if he relies on a cellphone ,,or one radio, is he the one you want to model after? or is he a pro ;or just some guy with a boat?

[Guillermo]

From his pages:
"The crew and boat are fine. We have simply been out of satellite range for our Mini M phone which is working again now that we are approaching Western Australia. We have two other satellite phones onboard but there seems to be a problem with the aerial connections which we will try and get fixed in Albany before heading on to Hobart."

In this era of satellite comms, what has happened with good old SSB? I think not mounting one of those aboard for an extended voyage is not good seamanship. Exactly by the same reason cellular phones cannot substitute VHF radio: You cannot talk rescuers, other ships, etc.

Cheers

[Poida]

Bugger they found him!

[MikeJohns]

....................
In this era of satellite comms, what has happened with good old SSB? I think not mounting one of those aboard for an extended voyage is not good seamanship. Exactly by the same reason cellular phones cannot substitute VHF radio: You cannot talk rescuers, other ships, etc.

Cheers

You use your binoculars to read the ships name then use directory services to get their number and ring them up :)

[Guillermo]

You use your binoculars to read the ships name then use directory services to get their number and ring them up :)
Even better: Ring the wife of the captain to find out if she's available :D

[safewalrus]

Who ever said Bullimore is a professional? He's a chancer who like to use other peoples money to further his own gains - the only good thing that can be said is that at least he does his own stunts! {but he makes sure theres someone to pull him out of the poo! Hello Australian Navy!}

[Guillermo]

Something else from Bullimore:
(http://www.ybw.com/auto/newsdesk/20070121110625ywnews.html)

"Sixty-eight-year-old Tony Bullimore, currently in Hobart, Tasmania awaiting a weather window to commence his solo circumnavigation record attempt, has resigned himself to at least another week ashore.

Bullimore who's been on standby for well over two months has been plagued by lack of wind and according to Barry Pickthall from the shore team, the chances of him setting off in the next few days are zero. Apparently there's a massive high sitting over Hobart and the weather system looks likely to remain static for the next few days (see chart) leaving Bullimore no choice other than to sit wait.

Pickthall commenting on the situation said: "Actually I hope he's continuing to spend the time he has available at the gym. He has all the facilities there and I think he got quite into it."

The last update we had from Bullimore a month ago was the news of problems with his gennaker furling gear and damaged runner aboard his 102ft catamaran Doha 2006. Apparently everything has been fixed now and the boat has never looked more prepared.


But the question is, has Bullimore missed the chance of going this year? According to Pickthall no, there's still time, adding: "We have a cut-off time of end of March. Yes, it is getting late in the season but he won't be going that far south he'll be in the 30s most of the way. The worst bit will diving deep rounding Cape Horn."

[safewalrus]

Well I hope he makes it but God he's making heavy weather of it, and that's before he sails!! Wonder which poor sod he'll put on next time he stuffs up! And unfortunately you know he will!

[Guillermo]

Tony Bullimore is finally leaving Hobart to begin his attempt to break the current record for a solo circumnavigation set by Dame Ellen Macarthur in 2005 - 71 days, 14 hours, 18 minutes, 33 seconds.
I wish him good luck.
http://www.teambullimore.com/

[PI Design]

What are the odds on a. getting all the way around and b. beating Ellen's time? Slim and non-existent.
Alternatively, how many days do you think he'll manage before something goes wrong? My guess = 3 days until a rudder breaks.
I do wish him luck, but he hasn't done much recently to inspire confidence...

[lazeyjack]

Walrus!! ole boy I am wiv you
I remember ole gypsy moth and how that silly ole bugger cost the life of a rescue\
Chitchester, was not content to rest on his laurels
If I were going and maybe soon I will I would ferk of alone, i would not expect anyone to come look
i heard an interview from him today on the wireless:))
BUT the Aussies navy is doing sod all so it is good practice

[Bergalia]

According to my crystal set Bullimore is on his way (two months late) "and making record time" .... But that was yesterday (2/5/07) Mind you it didn't say in which directon he was heading.... :(

[lazeyjack]

what frequency are you using on your crystal ball, should,nt you update it to more solid state

[Bergalia]

No, should be OK Lazey - I've just fitted the latest piece of Microsoft - 'Cat-whisker' XP

[lazeyjack]

No, should be OK Lazey - I've just fitted the latest piece of Microsoft - 'Cat-whisker' XP

k, sent you a pm

[safewalrus]

Cor Bergs that's hi tech stuff - 'cats whisky er whisker'

[Guillermo]

Reviving this old thread just not to open a new one:

A British sailor waited two days to be rescued by his wife because he did not want to trouble the coastguard.....He said he did not alert the local rescue services because he did not want to become "another Tony Bullimore".

Sensible way of thinking, but even more sensible:

"Tony Curphey, of Emsworth, Hampshire, sails around the world with his wife but they travel in separate boats."

See: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hampshire/7350071.stm

Cheers. :)

[safewalrus]

Well done Tony Curphey, but I don't think The Aussies (or anyone else for that matter) would equate him with 'Tony Bullimore', Mr Curphey kept it quiet for a start, and probably knew what he was doing - neither of which are part of the Bullimore philsophy!!

Handy backup having your wife in a seperate boat though! but why is she in the bigger boat? or does she have a crew? Interesting lifestyle apart from the rescue aspect!

[charmc]

Now there is a real sailor! Apart from the unique lifestyle/relationship, he's demonstrated tremendous integrity in not asking for rescue service to come out, as well as creativity and skill in jury rigging repairs to keep his boat intact despite heavy damage.

I remember discussions in other threads about those who want to voyage on the open seas having some obligation to know what they are doing so rescue services are only called on for legitimately dire circumstances. Mr and Mrs Curphey have set a fine example, relying on themselves to make it to shore after severe damage. Maybe that's their plan; each has a rescue craft always nearby. :)

[safewalrus]

Yeah seems a sensible one as well! for more reasons than that of having a rescue craft nearby! Be useful in Pirate infested waters, send em over the other boat and they find the wife, now if she had the mother-in-law there as well! Wimmin 3 pirates 0 springs to mind!!