THE 2001 AWARDS

Erik Vischer, Vice Commodore

Chairman of the Awards Sub-Committee

THE OCC AWARD OF MERIT

One or more awards, open to members or non-members who have performed some outstanding voyage or achievement.

Awarded to non-member Ellen MacArthur for her second place aboard Kingfisher in the Vendee Globe singlehanded race between November 2000 and February 2001 - at the age of 24.

Awarded to non-member Helen Tew for her cruise from Lymington, Hampshire to the Caribbean and back aboard her 26ft gaff cutter Mary Helen, designed by her late husband and built in 1937. Both Atlantic passages were sailed two-handed with her son Donald. A lifetime ambition finally achieved at the age of 89.

THE GEOFF PACK MEMORIAL AWARD

For the person (member or non-member) who, by his or her writing, has done most to foster and encourage ocean cruising in small craft.

Awarded to non-member Tom Cunliffe, regular contributor to Yachting Monthly magazine and author of numerous technical books for yachtsmen, many aimed at the layman and carried aboard by long-distance sailors. In short, a fine example of someone who has, and is, encouraging cruising in small craft.

THE BARTON CUP

For the most meritorious voyage made by a Club member.

Awarded to Paddy Barry and Jarlath Cunnane for their successfully transit of the Northwest Passage in the 15m Northabout, departing from Westport, Ireland on 23 June 2001 and arriving in Nome, Alaska on 2 September.

The 7800 mile voyage took in Greenland, the Davis Strait, Baffin Bay, Lancaster Sound, the Canadian and Alaskan Arctic coastline and islands, the Beaufort and Chuckchi Seas and the Bering Strait. They anchored in pack ice in the Lancaster Sound but were fortunate to find a route through the ice. Paddy's account of the voyage (see page XXX) is punctuated with accounts of songs, music and singing with the local Innuit peoples whom they met along the way - much will have been done to foster appreciation of Irish music in the Far North!

THE RAMBLER MEDAL

For the most meritorious short voyage made by a Club member.

Awarded to Richard Manning for his Antarctic voyage aboard his Oyster 43 ketch M'Our Bruin, as described in Flying Fish 2001/2. The cruise took them from Puerto Eugenia, Chile via Smith Island, the Drake Passage, Anderson Harbour - where they had to squeeze past an iceberg which was blocking the entrance - to Lockroy Harbour on the Antarctic Peninsula.

On her return M'Our Bruin visited Paradise Bay, Enterprise Bay, Deception Island and Drake Passage en route to the Falkland Islands. The final eleven days of the cruise were spent without hot food due, to a gas valve problem, and enduring three gales with winds in excess of 45 knots.

THE ROSE MEDAL

For the most meritorious short-handed voyage made by a Club member.

Awarded to John and Sally Melling, who left Fowey, Cornwall on 7 June 2001 with the intention of sailing their 40ft Saltram Saga Taraki to Greenland. On the eighteenth day out the bearings on the fresh water cooling pump failed, so that they could no longer use the engine or generate electricity. They had just entered Greenland waters with its risk of icebergs, fog and frequent calms, and though only 200 miles from their destination regretfully decided to return south, arriving in Schull, Ireland on 10 July in over 50 knots of wind. They had sailed 3600 miles in 33 days, with only 44 hours of engine time.

Sally's diary of their voyage appeared in Flying Fish 2001/2.

THE OCC AWARD

For the member who has done most to 'foster and encourage ocean cruising in small craft ... which may include any invention, report, idea or action which is calculated to promote the objects of the Club'.

Awarded to Bill Caldwell, whose tireless efforts since becoming Rear Commodore USA South East in 1995 have created a thriving and very active centre of Ocean Cruising Club activity on the Chesapeake, and a consequent increase in local membership.

THE WATER MUSIC TROPHY

For the member who has contributed most to the Club by way of providing cruising, navigation or pilotage information.

Awarded to Beth Bushnell of Splinters Apprentice, who has sent in a wealth of information on Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Australia, New Caledonia, the Philippines and Vanuatu, all of it available to members via the Cruising Information Service.

THE DAVID WALLIS TROPHY

For the 'most valuable contribution to Flying Fish', decided by ballot of the Editorial Sub-Committee.

Awarded to Jason Baggaley for his account of his Short Race Across the Atlantic in Flying Fish 2001/1. Sadly Jason was forced to abandon his lightweight racing yacht Ana during the 2000 Europe 1 New Man Star (better known as OSTAR). After multiple knockdowns and losing her rig in 55 knot winds, Ana developed a major leak and Jason had to activate his EPIRB. He was taken off by the tanker NCC Baha.

The Editorial Sub-Committee felt that his willingness to describe the events leading up to the loss, and in particular his reflections on 'lessons learned', formed a most valuable contribution to Flying Fish, and one which could potentially save lives.

THE QUALIFIER'S MUG

For the most ambitious or arduous qualifying voyage by a new member as submitted for publication in Flying Fish.

Awarded to Peter Passano of Sea Bear, for his singlehanded passage from Auckland, New Zealand to the Falkland Islands via Cape Horn in his self-built 39ft steel cutter, between December 1995 and January 1996. His account of the passage appears on page XXX of this issue.

THE VASEY VASE

For a 'voyage of an unusual or exploratory nature' made by a Club member.

Awarded to Wolfgang Quix for his 8813 mile voyage in his 50ft aluminium racing yacht Wolfie's Toy from the British Virgin Islands to Repulse Bay on the Arctic Circle, then back to his home port of Cuxhaven, Germany via Greenland, the Færoes and the Shetland Islands. The cruise took 5½ months, with between three and five crew on the various legs. Much fog, ice and two full gales were encountered along the way (and the yacht had no heating...).

Wolfgang's account of the voyage will be found on page XXX of this issue.