The Cruising Club of America (CCA) is proud to announce that Ralph J. Naranjo, of Annapolis, Maryland, has been selected as the recipient of the prestigious Richard S. Nye Award for 2023 in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the Club and the international sailing community.
The Richard S. Nye Trophy
The Richard S. Nye trophy is a CCA member lifetime achievement award for meritorious service and seamanship in long-distance cruising.
The trophy is a perpetual trophy in honor of Richard S. Nye, Commodore of the Cruising Club of America 1974-1975, Vice Commodore 1972-1973, and Treasurer 1959-1970. The trophy is to be awarded at the discretion of the Governing Board of the Cruising Club of America to a member who has brought distinction to the Club by meritorious service, outstanding seamanship, outstanding performance in long distance cruising or racing, statesmanship in the affairs of international yachting, or any combination of the above. The award may be as often as annually but need not be made each year.
This trophy is donated by the many crew members who have enjoyed the privilege of sailing aboard Richard S. Nye’s various yachts named Carina. A record of their names shall be maintained with the deed of gift in the archives of the Cruising Club of America.
If in any year, the Governing Board determines it to be in the best interest of the Club, and consistent with the philosophy of yachting as exemplified by Richard S. Nye’s outstanding record in this field, it may by unanimous vote at a duly called meeting of the Board, amend, alter, or rescind any of the terms of this dedication without notice or consent of the donors of the trophy.
The Richard S. Nye Trophy for 2022 is awarded to Barbara N. Watson, who has served, and continues to serve, the Cruising Club of America (CCA) at the highest levels.
S. James (Jim) Chambers received the Cruising Club of America's 2021 Richard S. Nye Trophy.
Peter L. Chandler received the Cruising Club of America's 2020 Richard S.
Richard S. Nye Trophy—Sheila McCurdy, of Middletown, R.I., for her leadership in the Cruising Club of America and the yachting world, as well as her many successes in yacht racing.
In recognition of over 50 years of “meritorious service to the yachting world and the Cruising Club of America,” the CCA honored Steve and Linda Dashew with its 2018 Richard S. Nye Award. The CCA established the award to recognize a member or members of the Club “who has brought distinction to the Club by meritorious service, outstanding seamanship, outstanding performance in long distance cruising or racing, statesmanship in the affairs of international racing, or any combination of the above.”
Awarded to Robert E. Drew for his long and dedicated leadership of the Cruising Club of America, serving as Commodore, Vice Commodore, Rear Commodore of the Essex Staion, Historian, Cruising Club News editor, Awards Committee Chair, Bermuda Race committee, Membership Committee, and Nominating Committee.
As commodore, he oversaw the 75th Anniversary Weekend Meeting and Blue Water Ball at the Naval Academy for which he gathered the thirteen living winners of the Blue Water Medal from around the world.
CCA has selected John F. Towle (Falmouth, Mass.) to receive the Club’s Richard S. Nye Award for 2016, awarded for his meritorious service to the Cruising Club of America and the Boston Station over a period of twenty-four years. The award will be presented at the CCA’s annual Awards Dinner at the New York Yacht Club in New York on March 3, 2017.
For meritorious service to the Cruising Club of America during his 46 years of membership.
For bringing distinction to the Cruising Club of America as a sailor, writer, and historian. He is best known as a prolific author and has been a source of information and inspiration to sailors around the world.