Who said a ship is safer at sea? The comment on the Facebook page was not made by either Robin or anyone at the office. It was made by a former crew member who is a admin on the page.
[QUOTE=Capt. Phoenix;88784]Who said a ship is safer at sea? The comment on the Facebook page was not made by either Robin or anyone at the office. It was made by a former crew member who is a admin on the page.[/QUOTE]
Actions speak louder than words don’t you think? Regardless of whether Walbridge said these words, it does seems to be the ‘norm’. Read, the other post about the Fantome, the Original Pride of Baltimore. The comments seems to be pointed specifically at trying to ‘explain’ why the Captain took this decision. Reading it, it sounds like an apologists rationale for explaining what others were argueing about, to justify a decision, to placate others. Someone else made a comment that these types of decisions depend upon the ‘error chain’ being unbroken for this to happen. It does appear to me that the entire TSC is full of these type of meglomaniacs, who pine for the ‘days of old,’ the ‘true sailing days,’ and the egocentric ‘I am Master and Commander’ type of BS. And yes, it IS an industry,( failing to make a profit to earn living wages for the whole crew, accomplishing excelsior results) but an industry nevertheless.
I do believe the photos from that post were taken aboard the Bounty. When, I am not sure. But that post, and the rationale behind it pretty much sums up the interpretation and explaination from the other couple hundred posts on the other thread.
I would LOVE to hear the honest truth about the office’ pushing to get the Bounty to St Pete ‘on time’ for the scheduled arrival. Of course their lawyers have told them all to keep Mum. But, since I am somewhat skeptical and jaded I am assumed to be not competent to comment on the topic, so I will stay mum. (NOT)!
I don’t feel that ‘Tall Ships’ are in need of further regulating. It just seems that there needs to be a clampdown on existing regulations. If a vessel can’t afford to hire a crew ( and pay a living wage) There would be NO possible explaination for having said vessels. Private yachts hire a crew. There may be a disagreement on what is a living wage. But, To have a Tall Ship that has to depend upon ‘volunteers’ who have to either PAY or “work for free” (Is there a difference) to be crew is wrong. It would be interesting, I would bet a little more than a cursory inspection of other ‘Tall Ships’ would disclose the similar conditions as found on the Bounty.
[QUOTE=cappy208;88787]I would LOVE to hear the honest truth about the office’ pushing to get the Bounty to St Pete ‘on time’ for the scheduled arrival. Of course their lawyers have told them all to keep Mum. But, since I am somewhat skeptical and jaded I am assumed to be not competent to comment on the topic, so I will stay mum. (NOT)![/QUOTE]
I cannot agree with you more cappy! Thanks for your clear voice in this matter. It is a very important point to ponder.
I’m not going to try to defend anything because I don’t know details, I’m just trying to clear up some of what I see as slander. I knew Robin and I didn’t know him as being reckless. I haven’t seen the video interview but I heard the “reporter” for that podunk station was rude, at least off camera, and very annoying. The comments about chasing hurricanes seem so out of character for him I imagine he was just fucking with the guy.
That said he made a bad decision. If he felt safer at sea he should have gone East or Southeast until well clear then turned for the tip of Florida. There is no reason to have been that close. I also think he may have between a little “one boat stupid” as someone else suggested since he was on that boat almost his while career, and I think his whole time as captain.
[QUOTE=Capt. Phoenix;88790] If he felt safer at sea he should have gone west or southwest until well clear then turned for the tip of Florida. There is no reason to have been that close. I also think he may have between a little “one boat stupid” as someone else suggested since he was on that boat almost his while career, and I think his whole time as captain.[/QUOTE]
Now you have me mightily confused. You state he should have gone southwest or west! A cursory glance at the old rand mcnally would show that heading to the W or SW would put him directly INTO the forcasted track of the storm. Having never broached this topic before (in a Monday afternoon quarterback sort of way), but it has appeared that Walbridge was trying to do a Westing, to get on (what is traditionally considered) the navigable semi circle. However, this flew in the face of the forecast that had been coming for over a week concerning the track of this storm. Walbridge was stated to have desired to go east, then south to get away from the hurricane. Then, according to the positions relayed by the HMSBOUNTY.org website he almost immediately diverted from that plan and tried to cut in front of (between) Hatteras and Sandy. So, Not only did he NOT do what he said he was going to do (from the Office perspective) he did what every other mariner (who has actually commanded a vessel at sea) that I have heard from has said was an insane thing to do. 1. Leave the dock, and 2. completely ignore the NWS forecast, track, history and date about Sandy.
I think your position about the ‘direction’, intention, and professional accumen is not slander. It is truth. It is like using this thread to comment on the other thread. Just because you want to be a gentleman and ignore a couple hundred other posts does NOT make them either invalid or wrong. Ignoring them (on the other thread) doesn’t make them go away. (Or become less valid)
[QUOTE=Capt. Phoenix;88790]I’m just trying to clear up some of what I see as slander.
That said he made a bad decision.
I also think he may have between a little “one boat stupid” as someone else suggested since he was on that boat almost his while career,[B] and I think his whole time as captain[/B].[/QUOTE]
Methinks you haf hit ye olde naile directly on the heade, Burried the trunnel home, and spliced the mainbrace me laddy!
Sorry I meant East, my direction dyslexia kicked in.
Claudene found out just how reckless he really was. Until then, those who didn’t know the difference between reckless and swashbuckling thought he was the bestest captain in the whole world.
The reporter didn’t give Walbridge a script to read. His widow doesn’t (or didn’t) think his behavior was out of character … she knew he had chased more hurricanes than she could count.
You are going to have to go well beyond the known facts to find an excuse for Walbridge’s actions. Bottom line is they are inexcusable, they were criminally reckless, and an innocent girl paid for his arrogance and stupidity.
I also think he may have between a little “one boat stupid” as someone else suggested since he was on that boat almost his while career, and I think his whole time as captain.
A “little” one ship stupid? How about so far into his own myth because he never had to take criticism or have his actions and decisions reviewed by anyone since he took “command” almost 20 yers ago that he was incapable of clear thought. Even when being interviewed for broadcast he failed to recognize how insane he sounded and that people might actually believe he knew what he was talking about. He was not in a bar with a bunch of cronies telling sea stories, he was the ambassador for the ship and the TSC. The sail training association or watever carnival club the Bounty group (still) belongs to should have kicked Bounty out immediately based on that invterview alone and made the reasons very public.
He took all the glory while it lasted, now it is time he took responsibility. His name should become synonymous with nautical ignorance and deadly stupidity. The commission of a criminally stupid and dangerous act should from now on be known as a Walbridge.
[QUOTE=Capt. Phoenix;88790]I’m not going to try to defend anything because I don’t know details, I’m just trying to clear up some of what I see as slander. I knew Robin and I didn’t know him as being reckless. I haven’t seen the video interview but I heard the “reporter” for that podunk station was rude, at least off camera, and very annoying. The comments about chasing hurricanes seem so out of character for him I imagine he was just fucking with the guy.
[/QUOTE]
Maybe, but Walbridge made absurd comments about “chasing hurricanes” and how being in 70 foot seas was like being alongside on a pleasant day. He also made decisions that put the Bounty 90 miles SE of Cape Hatteras in the path of hurricane Sandy. Is this just coincidence? The alternative is Steamer is being too kind in his assessment.
K.C.