1) OCC Award of Merit - (for members or non-members). For performing some outstanding voyage or achievement (may award more than one per year!)
a. Alex Whitworth (63)& Pete Crozier (60) (Berrimilla (1977)) – a couple of cruising retirees from Down-Under, who say they're just 'two old geezers in a battered old boat.' Having competed in the 1998 Sydney-Hobart race, in one of the smallest boats (33ft), they survived the savage storm that left six dead and several boats sunk and won their division. In 2004, undaunted, they competed in the Sydney-Hobart again in their 30 year old cruising yacht and decided to go one better. They left the finish line to return home to Sydney, via Cape Horn, and the UK, stopping only to borrow a pair of shoes in the Falklands so Alex could run a marathon in Port Stanley in under five hours. They survived a Southern Ocean knockdown. On arrival in the UK they competed in Cowes Week and after gaining an impressive second in the Fastnet two-handed division in August (and 11th overall) they left the UK and sailed home to Sydney, via the Cape of Good Hope, arriving on 20th December, ready to join the start line of the 2005 Sydney-Hobart. Alex and Pete 'like a challenge.'
b. Paul Gelder (OCC member) – for his motivation and dedication to getting Gypsy Moth IV restored to her former glory and back to sea in record time. He has been instrumental in driving the efforts of all those involved in this project and, particularly, finding the funds and setting up the guardianship of the yacht to allow it to be used for future generations.
2) Geoff Pack Memorial Award - (for members or non-members). Awarded to the person who, by his or her writing, has done most to foster and encourage ocean cruising in small craft.
Willie Wilson, MD of Imray Laurie Norie & Wilson (cartographers & publishers), has done an incalculable amount over the last two or three decades 'to foster and encourage ocean cruising in small craft'. While not himself a writer he has a very 'hands on' approach and until recently (when he's trained up assistants) did most of the layout of their many pilot books himself -- books which tens of thousands of cruising yachtsmen all over the world rely on. Also, his understanding and flexible approach (not least with regard to deadlines!) has allowed a number of invaluable books to see the light of day which otherwise might very well have been abandoned.
The following awards are for members only:-
3) Barton Cup - For the most meritorious voyage.
Paddy Barry & Jarlath Cunnane (Northabout) –
In a 15m, specially ice strengthened boat built by Jarlath, mostly alone, launched in 2001, Paddy Barry and Jarlath Cunnane with their crew successfully sailed the Northwest passage in 2002 from Westport, Ireland. They completed the first east to west polar circumnavigation in October 2005. The four-year voyage began in Westport, County Mayo in June 2001 and took them through the Northwest Passage to Alaska and Western Canada where they spent the next two years cruising. In 2004 they sailed to Russia, wintering the yacht at Khatanga, Siberia when stopped by the ice. In 2005 they completed the voyage to Ireland via the Norwegian coast and the Caledonian Canal.
4) Rambler Medal - For the most meritorious short voyage.
Stephen Pickard (Fiddler III) - Steve is a new member (2004) based in South of France. He sails a motor-sailer: Neptune 33.
His journey starts on April 10th after restoring the boat following 8 years of idleness. He set sail alone from Port Camargue. First stop was intended to be Sardinia but engine trouble meant that he went into Porto Corallo for three days – allowing time for a gale to go through. More engine trouble before arriving at Bizerte, Tunisia. Steve was then joined by wife and dog and sailed to Sidi bou Said and on to Kelibia.
Sailed back to Europe to meet up with friends in Sicily. More engine trouble on the way and some strong winds. The two boats then sailed to Sferracavallo, Palermo, Termini Imerese, Cefalu, Cap d’Orlando, Aeolian Islands and back to the South of France. The cruise ended on 18th June after 1,525 miles.
5) Rose Medal - For the most meritorious short-handed voyage.
Steve and Julie Ferrero (Dos Tintos) – for their 6-year circumnavigation, always double-handed from Jersey, Channel Islands. Theirs was a well-planned, well-executed voyage in the true spirit of the OCC!
6) The OCC Award - Awarded to a member who has done most to “foster and encourage ocean cruising in small craft and the practice of seamanship and navigation in all branches”. This may include any invention, report, idea or action, which is calculated to promote the objects of the Club.
Dick Morris (Retiring Port Officer, BVI’s) – For 31 years, Dick has been ‘on duty’ in Tortola but now, sadly, due to failing health has been forced to retire. We all have good memories of Dick's hospitality and his tremendous help and assistance in 2000 on the millennium cruise. Without his good offices the two main parties at the Last Resort and the Bitter End could never have been achieved so successfully. His close knowledge of the resort industry and his close and friendly contact with the key people stood us in tremendous good stead. His will be a hard act to follow!
7) Water Music Trophy - To a member/s who has/ve contributed most to the Club by way of providing cruising information, navigation and pilotage.
John and Pat Driscoll (Moonlight of Down) - for a very comprehensive set of cruising notes for Northern Norway (extending to 31 pages!) covering 11 ports and 20 anchorages between Alesund at 62deg 28.3'N 006deg 09.2'E and Tromso 69deg39.0'N 018deg 57.6'E. The report includes observations on the Norwegian Boating Scene, Suitability of Vessel, Anchoring, Navigation, Weather Information, Tides, Dangerous Waves, Pilotage and Cruising Guides, Diesel, Cooking Gas, Clothing, Victuals and Photography. These notes provide very comprehensive information for any cruising yachtsman planning to visit this area.
8) David Wallis Trophy - For the most valuable contribution to “Flying Fish”.
Rosemarie Alecio (Ironhorse)– for her evocative account of a visit to the Kingdom of Tonga's North Minerva Reef entitled: “Stuck in Minerva” which appeared in the OCC house magazine: ‘FLYING FISH’.
This trophy, a gift from the family of the previous editor of the OCC journal FLYING FISH, recognizes the most valuable or otherwise memorable contribution to FLYING FISH during the year. The recipient is nominated by the Editorial Sub-Committee, which felt in this case that Rosemarie had captured to perfection the charm of this clearly very special place -- somewhere which can only be reached by cruising yacht. Her excellent photographs clinched the award.
9) The Qualifiers Mug - For the most ambitious or arduous qualifying voyage by a new member as submitted for publication in “Flying Fish”.
Stephen and Katherine Paine (Batrachian) – for their account of their qualifying passage from the Galapagos Islands across the Pacific to The Marquesas Islands to be published in the next Flying Fish (FF 2006/1).
9) Vasey Vase - For a voyage of an unusual or exploratory nature.
Peter and Katharine Ingram (Kokiri) – have been sailing from NZ to Canada in a Pacific 38 over two years but have sailed via the Philippines after the 600 mile passage from Yap, then north through the San Juanico Strait to the Semirara Islands and on to Manila. After the Philippines they headed north to Japan on a passage dominated by strong headwinds and high seas when in the Kuro Shio current. They shipped a lot of water and bore away for Shinkoku to sort themselves out. In Tokyo they stayed for two weeks then the long passage from Japan to the Aleutian Island (Katharines OCC qualifying voyage) – 1700 miles and 15 days including fog, heavy shipping, calms and a gale on the nose. It was cold and there were all sorts of breakages – nothing serious. They also found out Katharine was six weeks pregnant leaving Japan with morning sickness becoming chronic seasickness.
They cruised the Aleutian Islands and on to Alaska finding good shelter in Mist Harbour. A close encounter with a bear followed but they continued north to the Kanai peninsula. After that they hurried down through the islands to make the OCC rally in BC. The final sail across to Vancouver was a memorable one. They had reached their goal – 16,000 miles, eight countries, 16 months, and fewer then two dozen yachts in the last 12months. Two quiet months refitting in Vancouver and then back to the UK for the birth of Robert David George Ingram!
ooOOOoo
Post edited by: George Curtis, at: 2006/02/02 00:01
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