I believe that IMR (International Maritime Resources) is the company that employess all the crew and officers. It is owned by the Burke's i believe, but is an international company, so they are headquartered in Trinidad. Try to speak with one of the Burke's in the miami office (Does Susan work there?) but definitely someone should be able to get some info from HQ at Jammerfest. Just get the fund setup and we will find where the money goes.

Thank you for the information Bvigal, yours and everyone elses efforts in helping are definitely appreciated by all of us here!

Ditto TamBo -

one puzzling thought: didn't this terrible incident occur on 6-26?

J&J :leftfoot :rightfoot

From what I gather, yes.

Oh of course, I'm sorry! With Dennis through here this week, I've lost all track of time. Yes was week before!

No worries, Lynn, I knew what you meant.

This has just been so heartbreaking, the waiting, hoping, then dispairing. The poor crew on Mandalay!! I imagine the jammer bunch will have more to report when they get off the ship and onto the internet.

S.

Update: Got message today from Joannne w/ Windjammer. She said there was "no information available - and no plans to set up a fund... as this was (is) a private matter with the family."
Hate to read between the lines-- as this was just a message, but it didn't sound good. If there is anyone that might have more direct contact with Captain Matt, perhaps he might be able to assist. -- Or other ideas?
Great that there is such support out there.

I will write to Duane (chief mate) on the Mandalay. Perhaps he can ask Matt. Duane may still be on vacation but should be back to work soon. I am certain that Capt. Matt would be happy to make sure the family got the money. I cannot imagine him saying no. I know for a fact that if he doesn't have it on hand he would have access to Forbes' address and name of closest relatives at home.

Just yesterday evening we heard about the accident in the BVIs from one of our fellow passengers, Elaine, who was with us on the June 6th - 11th 2005 cruise on the Mandalay. In the initial newspaper article quoted, there was some confusion about names of those involved in the accident, but later another passenger, Laurel, directed us to this forum for more information. What we had feared was true. The "Linden Boyle" mentioned in the original news article was none other than dear Forbes.

Our cruise this summer was only our second on Windjammer. Our first experience was two years ago on a repo cruise from Grenada to Panama on the Mandalay. That's where we first met Forbes. On that trip there were only 25 passengers to 34 crew, so we had a chance to get to know the crew really well. For the last two years we had been looking forward tremendously to taking another Windjammer cruise, and we wanted to go on the Mandalay again. We were hoping to see many of the same crewmembers from our first trip but didn't know if we would.

As our ferry was coming into the dock in Tortola, we saw the beautiful Mandalay in the harbor, and there, in the launch approaching the dock, was Forbes, powerful and dignified as always. "Forbes! Forbes!" Doug yelled out, and Forbes looked up at the ferry, a little surprised to see passengers as we had arrived early for two days of stowaway. He waited patiently in the launch for us to clear customs and took us out to the ship. He was the first person to welcome us back into the Mandalay family, and it felt good.

Watching Forbes with his strong wide shoulders working the deck was a thing of beauty.

Later on the trip, Forbes shared some wonderful music by Morgan Heritage with Doug, and we've been listening to it ever since.

We are heartbroken to hear of this terrible loss, yet thankful for the opportunity to have known such a wonderful man.

Our sympathies go out to his family and to the crew of the Mandalay, who must be suffering greatly from this loss.

The crew signed a photo of the Mandalay for us. On the top is our friend's signature and comment:

Forbes Boyle
One Love

People like Forbes are the reason we all keep coming back. In this day and age, sincerity, loyalty and as Forbes said "One Love" is very hard to find. I believe Windjammer is one of the few places on Earth where that still holds true.
I did not know Forbes but I think I remember seeing him last Dec when the YC and Mandy were docked in St. Vincent at the same time. My prayers and sympathy go out to the family and Mandy crew.

I felt the same way when hearing the news of Ingrid's passing.She and I maintained a friendship for 13 yrs via phone calls and letters. I miss her. My eyes still well up with tears when I look thru pictures. I'm so privileged to call her my friend. It's comforting when I see Turbo(Ingrid's brother) and Ardon (a former crew member on Poly) to recall our trips together, especially my first. Ingrid was my steward and showed me to my cabin on the first one. From that day on she no longer was my steward but became my dear friend.

May Ingrid, Denny and now Forbes rest in peace. Fair winds always. we will miss you. :

I was shocked to hear the news of Forbes. My fiance and I were bareboating in the BVI when the incident occurred. We were in Great Harbour, Jost Van Dyke and were awakened by the Coast Guard helicopters out searching beginning about 1:30am. We heard the details of what happened the next day - but were not aware this accident was related to the Windjammer family. How very sad for all involved.

I would like to take a moment to say thank you to the VISAR organization. These people are a dedicated group who are there to help any of us in need of assistance while out on the water. I know during our 10 days of sailing, someone from another forum of BVI sailors which I belong had to place a mayday call due to a medical emergency. It was VISAR who came to their assistance. Anytime you are in the BVI and see a VISAR donation box, please donate generously as this is a wonderful organization. I know we did. And, yes you also can donate through their website. For anyone who enjoys time on the water and loves the BVI, it is a very worthy cause!! http://www.visar.org

So sorry to hear the sad news about Forbes. The Bermudian jammers all remember him.

But can anyone clear up a question was he also known as 'Yellow' my husband thinks he was but I think he is confusing Forbes with another crew member.

I believe you are correct--Forbes was also known as Yellow.

If we are wrong, please tell us the real name of the crewman known as Yellow.

Dellie

Yellow is still on board the Mandalay when I left last week, but I don't know his real name.

Forbes and Yellow... definitely TWO different people. Yellow still on board working hard.

Back from our two week with Mandalay. The crew is doing fairly well. We did talk about it our first week and you could sense a calmer mood from the crew, but they were doing much better. They are extremely professional so they did not let it affect their jobs. I doubt most of the passengers on the second week of our adventure even knew. I think the worst part of this is the not officially knowing. Keep the crew in your prayers. They are definitely a family so this will be tough on them for a long time.

GG

I believe Yellow is Pumpkin's brother but I can't remember his real name.

I hate to bring this up, but does anyone know if they ever found Forbes' body???? If not, hopefully the family could find some closure.

Kath, you still have your connection on board? I will try to find out when I go down, but you can prolly find out faster.

Sorry to say, neither body was ever found. We almost always find bodies lost in this area, no matter what has happened. It's difficult for those of us involved in the search to believe they went overboard where the driver of the boat reported. The search was immediate, exhaustive and repetitive, with the best professional divers anywhere participating.
There are many here who believe the whole story as reported by the driver, who was apparently quite "distracted" by his girlfriend at the time, was a bit fishy...

That really sucks.......

The driver of the speedboat (Dwight Callwood) has been arrested and charged with manslaughter in this matter.

Thanks for letting us know!!!

Here is an article on the arrest.

Not much news.

http://www.virginislandsdailynews.com/i ... d=14171974

"Oct. 29, Dwight Callwood will go on trial for manslaughter. Mr. Callwood was arrested in connection to a speedboat accident around Long Bay, Tortola, late in the evening of June 26, 2005."

Trial was delayed, it began yesterday. A lot of testimony, so will take days. More updates when available.

thank you for the update Sara

Yeah, Thanks, Sara.

Keep us updated.

RIP Forbes.

dellie