Please select your home edition
Edition
sMRT AIS Man Overboard Beacons AUS / NZ

Tony Bullimore's catamaran capsized off Spain

by Barry Pickthall,PPL/Sail-World Cruising on 29 Oct 2010
Spirit of Antigua - now capsized off the Spanish coast SW
This time at least his boat was not in the Southern Ocean.

Tony Bullimore's 33m catamaran has capsized off Cape Finisterre in the Bay of Biscay and seven British based crew members have been rescued by French Air Sea Rescue services.


The seven sailors were successfully airlifted off the 33m racing catamaran Spirit of Antigua late on Wednesday local time after capsizing in the Bay of Biscay, 135 miles south west of Brest.

The famous catamaran, which set a round the world record back in 1994 when named 'ENZA New Zealand' is owned by Tony Bullimore, who himself was rescued back in 1996 after surviving for 5 days in his upturned yacht in the Southern Ocean.

Bullimore was not onboard this time. The crew, skippered by Ben Jones from Bristol, were delivering the multihull from Lisbon to Bristol, via La Corunna, northern Spain.

An automated distress signal was first picked up by Falmouth Coastguard at 7.30pm who alerted the French rescue authorities. The destroyer HMS Ocean, on manoeuvres in the area, was also called to investigate.

A French Air Sea rescue helicopter reached the scene at midnight and successfully winched all seven crewmembers to safety from the upturned hull. They were then flown to the Naval Air Station at Lanveoc near Brest. The crew are expected to return to the UK overnight on the Roscoff/Plymouth ferry.

Tony Bullimore (71) had been planning to attempt to break the Round Antarctica sailboat record, and was having the boat returned to his home port of Bristol to prepare her for the challenge.

Conditions at the time were reported to be slight slight seas, good visibility, and winds 11knots/h. In an interview with the French press today, skipper Ben Jones said that they were hit by a sudden gust of wind. 'The catamaran accelerated from 15 to 30knots and we were not able to slow her down.'

Bullimore suffered a similar calamity in the 1980s when competing in the Route du Rhum Race from St Malo to Guadeloupe. Then, his 60ft trimaran 'Apricot' was in collision with an unknown object during the first night at sea and lost one of its floats.

The British yachtsman managed to sail back towards Brest, but a mix up in communication with a tug over the rendezvous point led to the multihull being smashed to pieces against the rocks.

His next boat, 'Spirit of Apricot' also capsized during sailing trials in the Bristol Channel and one crewman died in the incident.

In 2007, Bullimore began a solo round the world record attempt in the Spirit of Antigua (at that time called Doha II), but gave up after experiencing rigging failure, within a week of setting out from Tasmania.

A French Coastguard plane was sent out today to plot the position of the £500,000 catamaran and assess whether it was a danger to shipping or could be salvaged.

Maritimo M600Cyclops Marine 2023 November - FOOTERHenri-Lloyd Dynamic Range

Related Articles

Admiral's Cup Paul Wyeth Wednesday Photo Gallery
The wind was lighter, the conditions were overcast, but Paul still makes the action come alive The wind was lighter, the conditions were overcast, but Paul Wyeth still makes the action come alive with his photos. Here's his gallery from the racing on Wednesday in the 2025 Admiral's Cup.
Posted today at 5:26 am
Admiral's Cup PKC Media Wednesday Photo Gallery
Out on the water on Wednesday to capture the lighter wind action Patrick Condy of PKC Media was out on the water on Wednesday to capture the lighter wind action in the 2025 Admiral's Cup. Here are his selection of photos from the racing!
Posted today at 5:06 am
Admiral's Cup Ingrid Abery Wednesday Gallery
Up close and personal with the teams on a lighter wind day Thanks to her long lens and skill, Ingrid Abery got up close and personal with the Admiral's Cup teams on a lighter wind day in the Solent. Enjoy these crew photos, and many more in the gallery above!
Posted today at 4:46 am
Admiral's Cup 2025 | Day One Inshore Racing Pics
An excellent day's racing with good breeze. Day One of Inshore Racing at the 2025 Admiral's Cup was highlighted by good breeze.
Posted today at 1:09 am
Admiral's Cup 2025 | Inshore Racing Videos
Day One summary and interviews with many competitors Day One summary and interviews with Back2Black, Black Pearl, Beau Ideal, Beau Geste, and Teasing Machine.
Posted today at 12:45 am
America's Cup: Italy's five boat Challenge
‘Il Moro di Venezia', a five-boat programme left no stone unturned The transition from colourful and applauded challenges of 1983 and 1987, to Challengers for the XXVIII America's Cup in San Diego, was a pivotal moment in the history of Italy in the competition.
Posted on 23 Jul
Admirals Cup: Leader board changes - Day 3
The wind and the leaderboard did the big switcheroo on the third day of racing in the Admirals' Cup The wind and the leaderboard did the big switcheroo on the third day of racing in the 2025 Admirals Cup, but otherwise the rich got richer on the regatta leaderboard.
Posted on 23 Jul
Rolex Fastnet Race: Upwind to the Fastnet Rock
The long range forecast for this year's race shows more benign conditions Teams that competed in the last two Rolex Fastnet Races and are returning for this Saturday's special centenary edition will be breathing a sigh of relief looking at the long term forecast.
Posted on 23 Jul
Admiral's Cup Inshore Racing Day 2
Beau Geste and Nola rise in shifty Solent showdown Race Four of the Admiral's Cup brought a tactical masterclass in light airs to the Central Solent. PRO Stuart Childerley set a windward leeward course for both classes, 1.6nm for AC1 and a shorter 1.4nm for AC2.
Posted on 23 Jul
NYYC International Women's Championship update
The final group of five invited skippers is announced The final group of skippers to be announced for the 2026 New York Yacht Club International Women's Championship radiates enthusiasm for this groundbreaking opportunity in one of the world's most famous sailing cities.
Posted on 23 Jul