Since 1978, the Bluewater Cruising Association has recognized its members’ achievements at annual awards ceremonies that take place in December. These celebratory occasions inspire the “dreamers” among us, encourage the “do-ers”, and remind the “doners” of their own bluewater experiences.
This year, the Awards ceremony was again held online on Dec 5, 2024, immediately following the AGM. The in-person presentations were made at the December club nights that followed. A recap of this year’s awards presentations follows:
Service Awards
BCA Service Awards from left to right: John Kortbeek, Marianne & Cam McLean, Don Hutchison
John Kortbeek: Calgary Vice Commodore 2020 – 2024
John became Calgary Vice-Commodore at the 2019 BCA AGM and was a member of the Board throughout the challenges of the initial COVID epidemic. He had an inside view of the COVID situation as it evolved, and provided a welcome and thoughtful perspective on the changes that were required to our BCA programs and Club nights and the personal impacts it caused for so many. He led the Calgary watch through some difficult times, on occasion taking on multiple roles on the watch, always with grace and humour.
John finally cast off last year, aboard Bear North, with brother Frank and family and friends, and set sail for Mexico. Thank you, John, and best wishes for all your travels.
Don Hutchison: Vancouver Watch, 2020 – 2024
A BCA member since 2014, Don joined the Vancouver Watch in 2020, first as Chapter Treasurer and later as Vancouver Vice Commodore. During those years Don led a number of special projects for the Vancouver Chapter and for BCA as a whole, all while providing the Vancouver Chapter Watch with unfailing leadership. When we lost our previous burgee supplier, BCA member Lana Wong, to cancer, Don led the RFP to find a new supplier for us. He also worked with the Vancouver Bosuns to champion a new online store where members can buy BCA-branded clothing.
Don has a wonderful leadership style. He is thoughtful and collaborative, willing to both listen and make decisions. Along with his BCA Service Award, the Vancouver watch presented him with a lovely parting gift to recognize his specific contribution to them. Thank you, Don, on behalf of the Vancouver Chapter and all of BCA, for all you have done. I know you will still be close by helping out.
Cam and Marianne McLean: Vancouver Fleet 2000 – 2025
Cam and Marianne joined BCA in 1987 and are longtime supporters of the Vancouver Chapter. They became the Vancouver Fleet Coordinators in 2000 and subsequent Vancouver Watch meetings are known to have included a bottle or two of Cam’s very good wine – occasions for camaraderie and laughter along with the serious business. Cam has always taken good care of the Fleet members and the deep friendships formed are a testament to this.
Cam and Marianne are also past recipients of the Rudi Seifert Keeper of the Light award (2008) and the Ted Long Award (2017). Thank you, Cam and Marianne – I know you both remain in the hearts of Vancouver watchkeepers, Fleet members and all your BCA friends. And I also know there are innumerable stories out there just waiting to be shared again!
Cruising Awards
Cruising award recipients from upper left: Brian Short (Offshore) with Past Commodore Leslie Hansen; Wanuskewin, Dawn & Michael Terides (Coastal 999); Rosario Passos & Denis Heinrichs, Counting Stars (Coastal 999)
Coastal 999
Two Coastal 999 awards were given out this year:
- Denis Heinrich and Rosario Passos, Counting Stars: for their passage from Victoria to Ensenada, MX then on to Mazatlan in Sept – Nov 2023.
- Michael and Dawn Terides, Wanuskewin: for their passage from Maple Bay to Barre de Navidad, MX in Sept – Nov 2022.
Both sets of cruisers are currently enjoying Mexico and thinking about further adventures.
Owner’s Offshore Award
- Brian Short, Carpe Ventus: We caught up with Brian at the December 10 VI Chapter Christmas Party and were finally able to present his Offshore Award for his 2020 single-handed trip from Victoria – Mexico – Hawaii – Victoria.
- Mel and Morgan Finley, Swift of Southhampton: for an incredible five year voyage that took them from the UK to the Mediterranean, across the Atlantic through the Caribbean to the South Pacific, Asia and back home via the North Pacific.
Offshore Crew
- Isla Finley, Swift of Southhampton
- Pippa Finley, Swift of Southhampton
The entire Finley family will receive their commemorative awards at the VI South Club Night on February 18, when they will give us a taste of their adventures from the Solomon Islands to Victoria.
Mel and Morgan Finley, Isla and Pippa
Perpetual Awards
Peterson Cup
The 2024 Peterson Cup was ‘a great success’ with 14 boats participating between July 27 and Aug 1, leading up to the August Rendezvous in Port Browning. The dual theme this year was was ‘Sailing Music in Fiji’ and ‘Preserve our Life at Sea’; each evening at anchor included music, singing and a potluck dinner. The participating skippers and crews set themselves objectives such as motoring as little as possible (more sailing!), selecting destinations close by to anchor, minimizing garbage, and aiming for full self-sufficiency.
This year’s Peterson Cup was awarded to Ralph Lapp on Exodus IV based on criteria set and voted on by all participants. Congratulations to Ralph and to all the Peterson Cup participants.
Peterson Cup Cruising Rally winner Ralph Lapp
Hill-Padwick Bent Mast Award
There was rousing competition for the prestigious Hill-Padwick award this year. At the December club events we were regaled with a tales of medical mishaps, engine and prop issues, unintentional groundings and keel troubles, and numerous close calls. Ultimately the prize went to Vancouver Chapter member Heather Marshall for her days-long saga aboard Toucan involving winds, rocks, engine temperature alarms, electrical fires, coast guard rescues, helpful BCA members, and so much more. She now proudly displays the ‘Bent Mast’ in her home with her name added to the pantheon on the base. Congratulations, Heather, on surviving all your calamities with spirit and humour intact!
Bent Mast Award winner Heather Marshall
Commodore’s Bell
The VI Chapter Christmas Party also celebrated the election of David Vincent as BCA Commodore with the ringing of the Commodore’s Bell and the passing on of the Commodore’s burgee. A plaque with David Mitchell’s name has been added to the base of the Commodore’s Bell, and with that presentation, I officially passed the Past Commodore’s torch to the David Mitchell.
David Mitchell passes on the Commodore’s burgee and badge to newly elected BCA Commodore, David Vincent.
Curious about Previous BCA Award Recipients?
A summary of BCA’s many sailing, service and perpetual awards can be found in the 2024 Member Directory, pp 15-17); further information, including lists of previous award recipients, can be found on the BCA website.
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