2016 Cruising Club of America Awards

Cruising Club of America (CCA) has announced the recipients of its 2016 awards that recognize special and exemplary achievements. This year the roster of awards has been expanded to recognize particular accomplishments by more youthful sailors.

2016 Blue Water Medal Awarded
CCA has selected Michael J. Johnson (Santa Fe, N.M.) to receive the Club’s Blue Water Medal for 2016, 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.” The medal will be presented at the CCA’s annual Awards Dinner in New York on March 3, 2017. Full report.

2016 Rod Stephens Trophy for Outstanding Seamanship
CCA has selected Gavin Reid (Devon, UK) to receive the Club’s 2016 Rod Stephens Trophy for Outstanding Seamanship 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 award will be presented at the CCA’s annual Awards Dinner at the New York Yacht Club in New York on March 3, 2017. 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.” Full report.

First-Ever Young Voyager Award
CCA has selected Erik de Jong (Sitka, Alaska) to receive the Club’s first Young Voyager Award awarded 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.” The medal will be presented at the CCA’s annual Awards Dinner in New York on March 3, 2017. Full report.

2016 Far Horizons Award
CCA has selected Cabot and Heidi Lyman (Cushing, Maine) to receive the Club’s Far Horizons Award for 2016 in recognition of their extensive offshore cruising, which includes their 1987-90 circumnavigation. The award will be presented at the CCA’s annual Awards Dinner at the New York Yacht Club in New York on March 3, 2017. 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.” Full report.

2016 Richard S. Nye Trophy Awarded
CCA has selected John F. Towle (Falmouth, Mass.) to receive the Club’s Richard S. Nye Award for 2016, awarded for his meritorious service to the Cruising Club of America and the Boston Station over a period of twenty-four years. The award will be presented at the CCA’s annual Awards Dinner at the New York Yacht Club in New York on March 3, 2017. 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.” Full report.

About the Cruising Club of America
The Cruising Club of America is dedicated to offshore cruising, voyaging and the “adventurous use of the sea” through efforts to improve seamanship, the design of seaworthy yachts, safe yachting procedures and environmental awareness. Founded in 1922, the Club has 11 stations throughout the U.S., Canada and Bermuda, with approximately 1300 members who are qualified by their experience in offshore passage making. In even-numbered years, the CCA organizes the Newport to Bermuda Race in conjunction with the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club. For more information on the CCA, go to http://www.cruisingclub.org.