Through the years, the Cruising Club of America has created a variety of awards for members and non-members alike. These awards recognize and celebrate seamanship, adventure, service, accomplishments, performance and statesmanship.
The breadth and depth of experience, accomplishment, and contribution to sailing and seamanship represented by the lengthy list of award recipients is exceptional. The Cruising Club of America is proud of the personal and collective record of achievement these awards describe.
The 2016 Award Winners:
Blue Water Medal: Michael J. Johnson (Santa Fe, N.M.), awarded for his extensive cruising for over 40 years, covering more than 125,000 nautical miles and including an east-to-west circumnavigation below the five great southern capes. The Board of Governors established this award to recognize “a meritorious example of seamanship.”
Rod Stephens Trophy for Outstanding Seamanship: Gavin Reid (Devon, UK), for his selfless action in swimming over to a vessel in distress and singlehandedly rescuing one of its crew members trapped at the top of the mast. The trophy is given “for an act of seamanship that significantly contributes to the safety of a yacht or one or more individuals at sea.”
Young Voyager Award: Erik de Jong (Sitka, Alaska), for his extensive voyages made from an early age. The Board of Governors established this award to recognize “a young sailor who has made one or more exceptional voyages.”
Far Horizons Award: Cabot and Heidi Lyman (Cushing, Maine), in recognition of their extensive offshore cruising, which includes their 1987-90 circumnavigation. The Board of Governors established the award to recognize a member or members of CCA for “a particularly meritorious cruise or series of cruises that exemplify the objects of the Club as stated in its Constitution
Richard S. Nye Award: John F. Towle (Falmouth, Mass.), awarded for his meritorious service to the Cruising Club of America and the Boston Station over a period of twenty-four years. The Board of Governors established the award to recognize a member of CCA “who has brought distinction to the Club by meritorious service, outstanding seamanship, outstanding performance in long distance cruising or racing, statesmanship in the affairs of international racing, or any combination of the above.”
Find out more about the Cruising Club of America at www.cruisingclub.org.
