Commodore's trophy 2012

Published 12:10 on 25 Oct 2012

This trophy is awarded to a Member in recognition of an outstanding achievement outside Seaview waters. I was most pleased to make the award for 2011 to Jason Lawrence in recognition of his 3,050 mile passage single handed in his 46 foot catamaran, Pegasus,

from the Maldives to Egypt. Having crossed the Arabian Sea he entered the Gulf of Aden. These waters off the north coast of Somalia, and well known as pirate alley, are currently the most dangerous in the world for any seaman, particularly in a yacht. Jason had some scary sightings but made safe harbour in Aden.

After only a couple of days the level of gunfire in the town forced him to set sail again ahead of plan. Sixteen days later, and a tough sail right up the Red Sea, he arrived in Port Ghalib to be met by Amanda and their two boys. At the end of his log Jason wrote “Whilst on passage [30 days] the four Americans on sv Quset were executed by pirates and the Danish family with children on sv Ing were taken and, to date, remain hostage. I was extremely lucky!”

Jason now becomes the fourth Member to be awarded this prestigious trophy for the second time since its inception in 1985.

Clive Hunt

Commodore