Photo: David Brenchley
The BDMLR team was deeply saddened last week to hear of the passing of Bob Bulgin BEM.
Bob was based in Cornwall and set up the original BDMLR team in the region in 1997 before handing over the reins in the mid-2000s. During his time as an Area Coordinator he led the first successful rescue using whale refloatation pontoons in the UK, on a minke whale live stranded at Penberth Cove in May 1999. Over the years he had also assisted a number of seals in distress as well as live stranded dolphins around the region too.
BDMLR Trustee Faye Archell, who also lives in Bob’s hometown of Port Isaac, said “Bob was a remarkable individual who had a real passion and dedication to rescuing seals and cetaceans in Cornwall. His kindness and ability to recount his missions with such vivid detail made him a true inspiration. Bob’s legacy will live on through the countless marine mammal medics he inspired. He will be deeply missed.”
Area Coordinator for Cornwall and Scilly, Dan Jarvis, added “I remember meeting Bob when I first got involved with BDMLR in 2002, he was clearly a dedicated and charitable person who commanded much respect within the organisations he was involved with. We must remember that our team here today started somewhere, and that was with Bob. He is a part of our history and we are a part of his legacy.”
Mark Stevens, a founding member and Trustee also commented “I remember Bob as a larger than life character who cared for people and the seas in equal measure. His and Sandy’s hospitality was always a highlight of the times I visited Port Isaac. Calm seas and fair weather Bob”.
Bob supported a number of charities, especially the local RNLI Port Isaac team where he held the position of Chairman for 15 years until 2020, and then appointed President in 2022. He raised over half a million pounds for them over the decades. It was as a result of these efforts that the RNLI awarded him a Gold Medal in 2016. This was as well as being presented with a British Empire Medal in the New Year’s Honours list 2013.