British sailor Pete Hill has received the Blue Water Medal from the Cruising Club of America (CCA). The award was presented during the club’s annual cruising prize ceremony at the New York Yacht Club in Manhattan on 6 March.
The Blue Water Medal is regarded as one of sailing’s most prestigious honours. It recognises exceptional seamanship and adventure by amateur sailors.
Hill, 75, was honoured for more than five decades of ocean voyaging in yachts he built or modified with simplified junk rigs. He received the award from outgoing CCA Commodore Jay Gowell.
“The Blue Water Medal is the most prestigious sailing award in the field, and I’m truly honoured,” Hill told the audience. “I discovered sailing as a teenager and became passionate about sailing and boats,” he said. “I would rather go sailing than maintain complex systems and work to pay for them.”
Hill now joins a list of past recipients that includes Bill Tilman, Bernard Moitessier, Eric and Susan Hiscock, and Sir Robin Knox-Johnston.
Young Voyager Honour
Brazilian sailor Tamara Klink received the Young Voyager Award. The 28-year-old set sail alone at 22 aboard her 26-foot yacht Sardinha, crossing the Atlantic from Norway to Brazil, a voyage of more than 7,000 miles in 90 days.
Rising Tide — Brazilian solo sailor Tamara Klink receives the CCA Young Voyager Award from Commodores Chace Anderson and Jay Gowell at the New York Yacht Club ceremony. Photo: Guy Gurney
In 2023, she sailed from France to Greenland aboard Sardinha-2 and overwintered alone in Arctic sea ice. During that expedition, she also became the first Latin American sailor to solo the Northwest Passage.
Seamanship Rescue Recognised
The Rod Stephens Seamanship Trophy went to Philip “Greg” Velez of Michigan. He was recognised for rescuing a sailor during the 101st Bayview Mackinac Race.
Seamanship Honoured — Philip ‘Greg’ Velez receives the Rod Stephens Seamanship Trophy from CCA Commodores Chace Anderson and Jay Gowell in New York. Photo: Guy Gurney
After responding to a mayday call, Velez and the crew of Amante2, his Farr 49, searched for nearly an hour in strong winds and rough seas before recovering sailor Pete Pryce, 72.
Long-Distance Cruising Awards
Christopher and Molly Barnes received the Far Horizons Award for a three-year, 36,000-nautical-mile family voyage. Their journey included rounding Cape Horn and visiting destinations from Easter Island to Arctic Norway.
Far Horizons — Christopher and Molly Barnes receive the 2025 CCA Far Horizons Award from Commodores Chace Anderson and Jay Gowell in New York. Photo: Guy Gurney
Doug and Dale Bruce were presented with the Richard S. Nye Trophy for long-standing contributions to cruising guides and the CCA’s Voyages magazine.
The Diana Russell Award was posthumously given to Peter Willauer, recognised for his work in experiential education and the development of the Hurricane Island Outward Bound School.
Voyaging And Writing
Behan and Jamie Gifford received the Royal Cruising Club Trophy for a six-month cruise through Japan aboard their Stevens 47 Totem.
Peter Gibbons-Neff Jr. won the Charles H. Vilas Literary Prize for his article reflecting on a 4,050-mile solo Atlantic passage during the Mini Transat.
Literary Laurels — Peter Gibbons-Neff Jr. receives the 2025 Charles H. Vilas Literary Prize from Commodores Chace Anderson and Jay Gowell. Photo: Guy Gurney
Steve James was also honoured with a Special Recognition Award for a decade of service on the CCA Awards Committee.
Founded in 1922, the Cruising Club of America recognises outstanding achievements in offshore sailing and promotes seamanship, safety and environmental stewardship.
