Posted on by Jimmy

Toro Bravo.

Toro Bravo docked at Broadway Pier in the 70s. Not exactly the best looking seiner. But it caught its fish. Spent most of the time fishing down below. [email protected]

2 Replies to “Toro Bravo.”

  1. Formally named, before Cosimo Cutri bought it in 1975 it was the "Sol De Ipania", built in Spain, late 60's. 1850 rated in tonnage, Beam 45 ft, bow to stern 280 ft. I was an early version Tunaboat, that utilized a small plane used for Tuna spotting, note the massive "cherry picker-crane". When I was on it it had a Bell 47 helo. Cutri gave it a facelift-overhaul in Campbell Industries. Once completed, Manuel "Fuzeta" Graca was the Master – Part Owner, and started trips on it in the sumer of 1976. He was also the former master of another Cutri vessel, the Diana C, prior to the Toro Bravo.

    This was the 1st rig I ever worked on, starting in 1977 as a deckhand-speedboat driver. It was Panimainan flagged with the home port in the Canal Zone, where we mostly unloaded in Taboga Island, Ensenada & Carupano, Venezuela. Some of the early crew that comes to mind by name are, Joe Machado -Mate, Jimmy Graca -Speedboat driver then later Mastman, Gene Graca -Deck Boss, Keith Hansen -Engineer, Robert Parsons -Asst. Engineer. Danny Graca -Skiffman, Lius Barranca -Crew, Pedro Canales -Crew, Mario -Cook, Joaquin, Dario, & Alonso -All Crew, Carlos Longobardi -Winchman, Renato Matia -Crew & some others I failed to mark names on the old grainy color photos that I have.

    I fell very fortunate & Thankful to Fuzeta & Cosimo for giving me this chance to share & grow, in this Tuna fishing experience.

    Some Toro Bravo trivia, The "Bull" painted across the bridge in the middle of the banner, was copied right off of a Schlitz beer can -almost exactly. The crews quaters & staterooms, as with the galley, were massive.

    Later, it fished with a completely different crew in the Western Pacific, while I was already working onboard the Jeannine. It sank off of Guam, circa 1985, I think.

    I have more photos to share of this rig for you Jimmy & Regards, Clyde Williams
    M/V Toro Bravo, 1977 to 1980.

  2. I heard the bravo caught fire dockside and was lost,from the boat engineers son .the engineer was supposedly one herman Eckstein.

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