I have today received an e-mail from Sumio, who tells me that a BCC was involved in the Japanaese tsunami.
The vessel was originally called “Freelance”, then owned by Tom Linseky and partook in the Melbourne to Osaka double-handed race back in the 90’s.
Tom sold the vessel to a Mr Omura after the race.
Information received from Kazi magazine, a Japanese boating journal, is that the boat was pushed 2 kilometres inland and ended on top of a house at a 45 degree angle. Images attached.
Word is that damage is probably minor, but Mr. Osaka is unable to deal with the problem as he has lost his own house.
Sumio would like to know if there is any interest in a funding project to help Mr. Omura back on hhis feet.
Had some trouble getting in contact with Omura san directly.
So… after I had finished my latest 2 weeks in Tohoku volunteering building temporary housing, I made my way south to Ishinomaki and found a boating club that had managed to survive, the first person I talked to as I entered was Omura san, how about that for fate!
So I stayed with him for a couple of days to help out where I could, as he was not ready to move Freelance.
Omura has not lost his house but the high tide mark was his floor level.Most of the houses between him and the port are destroyed.
Freelance is still in good shape after breaking her 2inch mooring lines and making her way across the concrete docks and tsunami barriers and through a suburb of houses and powerlines.
The only damage seems to be the rudder and some scratches.Amazing!
She is sitting on her side on a foundation that used to be a house.
The approaches to the site are blocked by a couple of 200ft steel fishing boats that came to rest on the elevated main roads.
Until they are removed it is near impossible to get to Freelance with a crane or truck
Apart from the main roads the surrounding area is covered in a 3 feet of mud and sand and debris.
I will be returning at the end of the month to help remove the mast and rigging in prep for transporting her.
Thanks go to John and Sumio for all their help.
Omura san says he doesnt need direct financial help, but please if you can give to charities that are helping the children in Tohoku(Red Cross etc), every little bit will help.
From what I have seen the area is many years if not decades away from recovery regardless of what the media says.
I have just returned home from a week in Tohoku with Omura san and Freelance.
They had finally cut up the steel fishing boat that was preventing access to Freelance.
With the the help of a 50ton crane and 9 friends we righted her and got her onto a lowloader.
She is now happily in a cradle at Mr Omuras house.
We spent the rest of the week removing damaged fittings and assessing her.
Omura san and I will be rebuilding her over winter for a late spring launch.
I have attached a few photos.
The rebuild is taking longer than first thought.
But we are making progress.
At this stage we hope to splash her this summer.
Sourcing products and getting them to Japan, has proven a challenge.
I must thank…
Sumio for all his help, he has been a fountain of information.
Todd at CGMW for fielding a million calls and emails then sending loads of timber and parts across the Pacific.
Pete and Cathy at PTF for all the beautiful bronze.
Mike at MABW for his advice and the best set of anchor rollers I have seen.
And most importantly everyone on this forum, without it I would have been lost.
Thankyou everybody.
Here are a few photos of Freelance from last summer.
Sprit looks real good. Keep up the good work, I’m sure Tom Lindskey is happy that the boat is in good hands for her recovery.
If you need anything that I can help you with let me know.
