Welcome to The Cruising Club of America

The Cruising Club of America is an international organization with a membership of over 1,200 men and women who have voyaged the oceans for adventure and recreation. The members have vast sailing experience, exemplified by superior seamanship and demonstrated through significant command. Equally important to the mission of the club are the members’ geniality of spirit and willingness to share knowledge and friendship with fellow members through cruises, publications, social events, and posts on this website.

The CCA and its members contribute to the sport of sailing and history of yachting in many ways. The club makes awards for exceptional passage making, seamanship and literary works. The club organizes and runs the biennial Newport Bermuda Race, and conducts seminars on safety at sea for hundreds of sailors. The Bonnell Cove Foundation makes grants to not-for-profit organizations for projects in safety at sea and environmental protection.

For questions about the Club, please contact the secretary. Please send any comments or suggestions about the site to our webmaster.

2011 Annual Awards Announced
The CCA has announced that the prestigious Blue Water Medal will be presented to Theis Matzen and Kicki Ericson. Also announced are the recipients of the Rod Stephens Trophy, the Far Horizons Award and the Richard Nye Trophy.

Safety At Sea Seminar - March 17 - 18 - Newport
The Newport Bermuda Race Safety at Sea Seminar on March 17-18 introduces a new approach to safety education that fits the needs of sailors in the 2012 Newport Bermuda Race as well as delivery crews and cruisers. Register here.

Investigations of Significant Incidents
Gary Jobson, President of US Sailing, appointed several committees to investigate and report on three serious sailing incidents which occurred in 2011. These detailed reports, largely investicated and prepared by CCA members, have a trove of helpful safety information.
Chicago-Mackinac, Annapolis, Rambler

Sailing Foundation Lifesling Demonstration Video
The Lifesling is the best device for rescue of a crew overboard, but to be effective, crew need training in its use. The Sailing Foundation, with help from Bonnell Cove Foundation and West Marine, has prepared this video - a must see for anyone with a Lifesling.

Bermuda Extends Visit Limits for Yachtsmen
From 1st June visiting yachts and their crews will be granted a maximum 90 day stay on arrival in Bermuda. The fee for this long stay will be $250, and extensions for up to a further 90 days will also be permitted

The Boats We Sail
There are two new additions to The Boats We Sail: Windermere, a 65' trawler, and Indigo, a 52' sloop.

Suddenly Alone Course - "DIY"
The popular SUDDENLY ALONE program originally developed by the CCA and Bonnell Cove Foundation has been repackaged as a small scale DIY (do it yourself) presentation for sailing clubs and organizations.  Available on CD’s for local speakers’ use.

Lifesling® Owner’s Preparation Guide (updated July 2010)
This guide, developed for the Bonnell Cove Foundation’s “Suddenly Alone” seminar, offers important guidelines for properly preparing your Lifesling®. The guide is in PFD format and is 5 pages long. (Download Adobe Acrobat here.)

Injury & Illness Report - Newport Bermuda Race 2010The Fleet Surgeon compiles a report on injuries and illness aboard boats participating in the Newport Bermuda Race. The report for the 2010 race is now available.

World Ocean Day 2010
World Ocean Day is June 8, 2010. See notes, including The Ocean Project's website of registered events and celebration ideas. World Ocean Day 2010
CCA Environment of the Sea web page

Environment of the Sea - Notes - 2010
The Enironment of the Sea Committee has compiled and published its 2010 Notes. Don't miss this interesting and compelling document.

New Energy Conservation Resource List Posted
The Environment of the Sea Committee has updated the list of resources for those interested in making yachting more environmentally friendly.

New Emergency Card Posted - ICOM M710 and M710RTThe emergency card and information about the ICOM M710 and M710 RT radios has been updated and posted.

USCG Helicopter Rescue Video Now On YouTube
Funded by the Bonnell Cove Foundation and in cooperation with the Cruising Club of America, this video is essential to anyone planning to venture offshore. It is now available on YouTube. View Part One and Part Two.

"Rod on Sailing, Lessons from the Sea"
We have come across a rather special book by Rod Stephens, subtitled "Rod on Sailing, Lessons from the Sea". It is unpublished and unfinished, but it is interesting and informative and can be downloaded in pdf format from the S&S website. Rod, a former commodore of the CCA, was working on this book when he died in 1995.

What Inflatable PFD Should I Buy?
This response was prepared for US SAILING by Ron Trossbach to answer the question 'What inflatable should I buy?'  It also serves as a reminder to review our personal life jacket situation as we go out on the water this spring. See our Safety at Sea section for this and more.

Travelling to Canadian Waters?
This is a useful web site from the Canadian government for recreational boaters visiting Canadian waters.

USCG Helicopter Rescue Pamphlet Posted
Along with the USCG helicopter rescue video that is available, we have posted a new USCG Helicopter rescue pamphlet that all crews venturing offshore should be familiar with. It should be aboard all offshore yachts.

DSC Distress Communications Form
The use of Digital Selective Calling (DSC) in VHF and SSB radios is relatively new and not widely understood.  This paper will give the reader a broad view of what DSC is and how it applies to recreational boats. Web site links and references are included for more detailed explanations. A simple form to guide you incase of emergency is included.  See other Safety at Sea resources and Offshore Communications resources.

Digital Selective Calling and Search & Rescue Areas
Important information on Digital Selective Calling, MMSI, AIS and Search and Rescue areas in the Atlantic and Pacific. In the fast-moving world of marine electronics, this is an important, comprehensive review of how to make the most of your DSC-capable VHF and SSB, and how to use the technology available to maximize your chances for a successful rescue at sea.

Permanently Installed Preventer Can Prevent Tragedy At Sea
With the tragic death due to head injury in the 2007 ARC, the CCA Fleet Surgeon draws attention to the importance of having a permanently installed preventer.

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Updated January 27, 2012