Dr Bombard died 19/07/05

[Jelly]

As Lifted from YD:

As I understand it he made the first atlantic crossing inand inflatable before Enda made his in a rib.

Doctor who made Atlantic crossing dies


Associated Press


TOULON, France - Dr. Alain Bombard, who crossed the Atlantic in a dinghy to prove that shipwrecked sailors could survive off the sea's bounty, died Tuesday in southern France, hospital officials said. He was 80.

The cause of death for Bombard, who was admitted to a military hospital in Toulon nearly a month ago, was not immediately known.

A biologist and medical doctor, Bombard specialized in the study of survival at sea. In 1952, he completed a 65-day solo voyage across the Atlantic on a single-sail inflatable raft, which he named The Heretic, to prove that it was possible to live off fresh-caught, uncooked fish.

He also demonstrated it was possible to drink seawater when limited to occasional sips.

Born Oct. 27, 1924, Bombard attended medical school in Paris and began researching the subject of survival at sea early in his career.

He published several books about his experiences at sea.

In his 50s, he entered politics, beginning with regional positions. He briefly held the No. 2 post at the Environment Ministry in 1981 and served as a European parliamentarian from 1981 to 1994, according to Who's Who in France.

Bombard's citations included France's prestigious Legion of Honor.

[Sirius_Bane]

Very interesting, indeed. Was this Bombard fellow also responsible for starting the Bombard line of inflatables? Or was his name taken and used for them since he completed the atlantic crossing in one?

[Scotty]

Originally Posted by Jelly

Associated Press


TOULON, France - Dr. Alain Bombard, who crossed the Atlantic in a dinghy to prove that shipwrecked sailors could survive off the sea's bounty, died Tuesday in southern France, hospital officials said. He was 80.

The cause of death for Bombard, who was admitted to a military hospital in Toulon nearly a month ago, was not immediately known.

For fecks sake he was 80 and crossed the atlantic in a rib. You dont have to be a doctor to figure that one out . Stupid French people

[Arctic RIB]

I'm assuming he did not have any involvement in the development of Bombard RIB's but I wouldn't be surprised if I was to learn Dr. Bombards name was the inspiration behind the Brand name, especially since Bombards are made in France. That's an incredible story, any person to have even attemped such a passage must have been one brave soul, any idea on what dimensions the inflatable was or how long it took?