For a circumnavigation from 1977 to 1983 in a 30' sloop, Ding Dinques, followed by a circumnavigation of the Pacific Basin in a 38' sloop, Maris Stella, from Panama to Japan, Alaska and Cape Horn, in a voyage commencing and terminating in France, all accomplished with competence, grace and humor, in the best tradition of amateur sailing.
Blue Water Medal
The prestigious Blue Water Medal was inaugurated by the Cruising Club of America in 1923 to:
reward meritorious seamanship and adventure upon the sea displayed by amateur sailors of all nationalities, that might otherwise go unrecognized.
Blue Water Medallists have included such luminaries of the sailing world as Rod Stephens, Eric and Susan Hiscock, Sir Francis Chichester, Eric Tabarly, Pete Goss, Bernard Moitessier, and Sir Robin Knox-Johnston..
The Medal itself was designed by Arthur Sturgis Hildebrand, a member of the Cruising Club of America, who was one of the crew of the yacht Leiv Eiriksson, lost in the Arctic with all hands in September of 1923
For his courageous sailing in the many oceans of the world, much in the high latitudes. He has cruised to Greenland and Baffin Island, and it is believed he is the only man to have sailed into Gries Fjord on Ellesmere Island. On this voyage he reached 78 degrees 48 minutes north which is 850 miles from the North Pole.
For Antarctic cruising during twelve of the last eighteen summers which resulted in the publication of a handbook to assist and advise visitors, particularly on how to protect and preserve the beautiful, but fragile, region.
For twenty years of cruising in the oceans and seas of the world without an engine, electrics or electronics of any kind in a 28 foot Falmouth Quay punt that was built in 1898.
For a series of voyages in the wake of Saint Brendan the Navigator in a traditional timber boat know as a Galway Hooker to many places in the far north such as Iceland, Spitzbergen and the Norwegian Arctic.
For 4 years of seamanlike cruising the world, circumnavigating in waters from the North Atlantic to south of Cape Horn.
For a series of outstanding cruises in War Baby, North & South: Norway, Poland, the Arctic, Panama Canal, Galapagos, Patagonia, Straits of Magellan, the Falklands, South Shetlands and Antarctic Peninsula.
For a three-year, eight-month ornithological research expedition in the Antarctic convergence zone involving a circumnavigation of Antarctica.
For a distinguished career of sailing, racing, and cruising, culminating in 15 years of outstanding sailing expeditions, the last of which was a cruise from Corner Brook, Newfoundland to Churchill, Manitoba and return
For a series of off shore voyages culminating in a west to east circumnavigation via Cape of Good Hope and Cape Horn without navigational instruments -compass - chronometer, sextant or electronics.