Welcome to The Cruising Club of America

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

Safety At Sea Seminar March 13 - 14
The Cruising Club of America is sponsoring a US Sailing sanctioned Safety At Sea Seminar in Newport, RI March 13 - 14. This seminar is tailored to participants in the 2010 Newport Bermuda Race, but it is valuable for anyone heading offshore and all sailors are welcome. For registration, see the US Sailing Website.

Sir Robin Knox-Johnston to receive Blue Water Medal (no date)
The CCA has selected Sir Robin Knox-Johnston to receive its prestigious Blue Water Medal (without date) for a lifetime devoted to the advancement of saling, sail training and youth development, and on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of his singlehanded, non-stop circumnavigation of the world.

Annie Hill & Trevor Robertson to receive 2009 Blue Water Medal
The CCA HAS selected Annie Hill and Trevor Robertson to receive its prestigious 2009 Blue Water Medal in recognition of a life of cruising and voyaging that best exemplifies the objects and goals of the CCA

Lin & Larry Pardey to receive 2009 Far Horizons Award
The CCA has selected Lin and Larry Pardey to receive its prestigious 2009 Far Horizons Award in recognition of their lifetime of cruising and voyaging.

Sophie & Maurice Conti to receive 2009 Rod Stephens Award for Outstanding Seamanship
The CCA has selected Sophie and Maurice Conti to receive the 2009 Rod Stephens Trophy.

John P. Rousmaniere to receive 2009 Richard S. Nye Trophy
The CCA has selcted John P. Rousmaniere, who has brought distinction to the Cruising Club of America as a sailor, writer, and historian, to receive the 2009 Richard S. Nye Trophy. He is best known as a prolific author and has been a source of information and inspiration to sailors around the world.

Safety At Sea Seminar March 13 - 14
The Cruising Club of America is sponsoring a US Sailing sanctioned Safety At Sea Seminar in Newport, RI March 13 - 14. This seminar is tailored to participants in the 2010 Newport Bermuda Race, but it is valuable for anyone heading offshore and all sailors are welcome. For registration, see the US Sailing Website.

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.

Westflight added to The Boats We Sail
A 60 year-old 14 ton Gauntlet built by the Berthon Boat Company, Lymington, UK, Westflight has been added to the collection "The Boats We Sail."

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.

Fleet Surgeon's Documents
Visit the Fleet Surgeon's web page for a revised "Fleet Surgeon's Memorandum for an Offshore Yacht," as well as the new "Case for a Permanently Installed Boom Preventer" and statistics of injuries and illnesses in the last five Newport-Bermuda Races.

Updated January 26, 2010