Awards

Through our Annual Awards, the OCC recognises exceptional sailing achievements by blue water sailors inside and outside the Club. The OCC Awards are presented to recipients at the AGM and Annual Dinner in late March/early April and also at regional venues worldwide during the year.

Nominations for the OCC Awards may be submitted only by OCC members. Selections are made by the OCC Awards Sub-Committee and approved by the General Committee and Board.

A downloadable list of award definitions can be accessed here.

Click here for the rules on nominating and to submit a nomination form online.


Awards open to All

OCC members may nominate anyone for one of these awards provided that the voyage or other achievement for which the nomination is being made finished no more than 2 years before nominations close on 31st of December.

OCC Jester Award

Donated by the Jester Trust as a way to perpetuate the spirit and ideals epitomised by Blondie Hasler and Mike Richey aboard Jester, this award recognises a noteworthy ..

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OCC Award

Dating back to 1960, from 2018 two OCC Awards may be made – one (to a member) recognising valuable service to the OCC; and the other (open to all) for service to ..

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OCC Seamanship Award

Donated by Past Commodore John Franklin and first presented in 2013, this award recognises feats of exceptional seamanship and/or bravery at sea. It is open to ..

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OCC Lifetime Award

First presented in 2018 and open to both members and non-members, the OCC Lifetime Award recognises a lifetime of noteworthy ocean voyaging or other significant ..

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OCC Environment Award

Instigated by OCC member Jonathan Webster in April 2021 as a memorial to HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, the OCC Environment Award recognises cruisers ..

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Awards open to OCC Members, Port Officers and Port Officer Representatives only

OCC members may nominate any fellow Full or Associate member for one of these awards provided that the nominee was an OCC member at the time he/she did whatever the nomination is being made for(with the exception of the Qualifier's Mug) and that the voyage or other achievement for which the nomination is being made finished no more than 2 years before nominations close on 31st of December.

OCC Barton Cup

The Club’s premier award, named after OCC Founder Humphrey Barton and donated by his adult children, twins Peter Barton and Pat Pocock, the Barton Cup was first ..

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Vasey Vase

Donated by past Commodore Tony Vasey and his wife Jill, and first awarded in 1997, this handsome trophy recognises an unusual or exploratory voyage made by an OCC ..

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Water Music Trophy

Presented by Past Commodore John Foot and named after his succession of yachts all called Water Music, this set of meteorological instruments set into a wooden ..

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Qualifier's Mug

Presented by Admiral (then Commodore) Mary Barton and first presented in 1993, this award recognises the most ambitious or arduous qualifying voyage published by ..

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Port Officer Service Award

Introduced at the suggestion of then Rear Commodore Mark Holbrook and first presented in 2008, this award is made to an OCC Port Officer or Port Officer Representative ..

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OCC Events and Rallies Award

This award recognises any Member, Port Officer or Port Officer Representative who has organised and run an exceptional rally or other event. Please note that it ..

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Awards not open to nomination

These awards are not open for general nomination are are decided by specific Flag Officers, Committees, or sectors of the OCC membership.

The David Wallis Trophy

Presented by the family of David Wallis, Editor of Flying Fish from 1964 until 1990 and first awarded in 1991, this silver salver recognises the ‘most outstanding, ..

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The Vertue Award

The Vertue Award is presented to a member in North America for an outstanding voyage or for service to the Club. Named after Vertue XXXV, in which OCC Founder Humphrey ..

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The Australian Trophy

First awarded in 1990, the Australian Trophy was donated by Sid Jaffe, twice Rear Commodore Australia. Carved from a solid piece of teak, it is awarded for a meritorious ..

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Special Awards

These awards are given in recognition of outstanding feats in the world of sailing.

2011 - Matt Rutherford

A Special Award was made in 2011 to Matt Rutherford, on completion of his astounding 309 day, 27,077 nm solo non-stop circumnavigation of the Americas in his 27ft Albin Vega St Brendan to raise money for CRAB, a nonprofit sailing program for people with disabilities.

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2013 - Jeanne Socrates

A Special Award was made in 2013 to honour Jeanne Socrates for her solo non-stop circumnavigation, the first from North America by a woman and as the oldest woman to do so altogether.

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2013 - Gerry Hughes

Gerry Hughes was presented with a Special Award on a truly remarkable accomplishment: having circumnavigated solo as a deaf man.

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2018 - Captain Christopher Wells, Queen Mary 2

A Special Award was presented by Mervyn Wheatley to Captain Wells, Master of the Cunard liner QM2, for coordinating the rescue of Mervyn when his boat was hit by a rogue wave and severely damaged in the Atlantic during an OSTAR race for charity.

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Archived Awards

These awards have been made in the past but are no longer awarded.

The OCC Award of Merit

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

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The Rose Medal

Dirst awarded 1984 - Named in honour of founder Hum Barton's yacht Rose Rambler, the Rose Medal is awarded for the most challenging short-handed voyage made by ..

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The Geoff Pack Memorial Award

First Awarded 1997 - Donated by IPC Magazines in memory of Geoff Pack, who at the time of his early death was Editor of Yachting Monthly and OCC Rear Commodore, ..

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The Rambler Medal

First awarded 1990 - Also named after founder Hum Barton's yacht Rose Rambler, the Rambler Medal is awarded for the most challenging short voyage (within three ..

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The Endurance Award

First awarded 2007 - Created by Fred & Annie Hallett, then Rear Commodore USA South East, the Endurance Award recognises those who have demonstrated indomitable ..

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