Did anyone know Shaun Blatchford?

I met a man called Shaun Blatchford when he was a stationery salesman in Southampton. I think he was Irish, dark hair, blue eyes, full of charm and blarney!

I was working at Southampton Boat Show in 1974, showing an Etap 22, Gambling (Jan Linge design) and NorthStar 80/20 (S&S design). Exhibited at the entrance of the Show at Mayflower Park, there was a tiny, flimsy multihull, I recall it was a trimaran.

I was amazed to see Shaun Blatchford with her. He had built and possibly designed her and intended to sail around the world. I am embarrassed to say that there were many sniggers, tut-tuts and a lot of shaking heads.

Some months later I heard – I cannot remember how – that he and the boat had been lost in the Tasman Sea. I felt dreadful at the time and still do. How courageous and amazing to have got that far.

I would love to know more about Shaun Blatchford but I have scoured the internet to no avail. Hopefully your readers will know something or remember an article written honouring his memory.