French doctor Alain Bombard crossed Atlantic in a dinghy

TOULON – French doctor Alain Bombard, who crossed the Atlantic in a dinghy to prove that shipwrecked sailors could survive off the sea’s bounty, died on Tuesday in southern France, hospital officials said.

He was 80. The exact cause of death was not immediately known.A biologist and medical doctor, Bombard specialised in the study of survival at sea.In 1952 he completed a 65-day solo voyage across the Atlantic on a single-sailed inflatable raft, which he named ‘The Heretic’, to prove that it was possible to live off fresh-caught uncooked fish.He also demonstrated that it was possible to drink sea water when limited to occasional sips.Born on October 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 and in his 50s entered politics.He began with regional positions and briefly held the No 2 post at the Environment Ministry in 1981.Bombard served as a European parliamentarian from 1981-1994, according to Who’s Who in France.Hew was awarded several medals of honour, including France’s prestigious Legion of Honour.- Nampa-APThe exact cause of death was not immediately known.A biologist and medical doctor, Bombard specialised in the study of survival at sea.In 1952 he completed a 65-day solo voyage across the Atlantic on a single-sailed inflatable raft, which he named ‘The Heretic’, to prove that it was possible to live off fresh-caught uncooked fish.He also demonstrated that it was possible to drink sea water when limited to occasional sips.Born on October 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 and in his 50s entered politics.He began with regional positions and briefly held the No 2 post at the Environment Ministry in 1981.Bombard served as a European parliamentarian from 1981-1994, according to Who’s Who in France.Hew was awarded several medals of honour, including France’s prestigious Legion of Honour.- Nampa-AP