SSCA Announces Winner of 2022 Southbound II Award
The Seven Seas Cruising Association (SSCA) has awarded this year’s SouthBound II award to Ed Tillett, Editor in Chief of the Waterway Guide, for the outstanding charts and guides for bluewater cruisers heading south.
Published 2 years ago
Source: Seven Seas Cruising Association
The Southbound II Award was specifically created by the SSCA to recognize individuals and/or organizations whose volunteer efforts have rendered a valuable service to the well-being of the blue water sailing community. It is presented on a periodic basis when appropriate (not necessarily annually).
In announcing the award, the SSCA said that over the years, Mr. Tillett has continually worked to improve the charts and guides utilized by many cruising sailors with a focus on cruisers to the Bahamas, Snowbirds and blue water cruisers who cruise and return to hurricane free areas of the USA and the tropics.
Mr Tillett was presented with the award by former SSCA President Scott Berg during the SSCA Annual Convention/GAM on November 12, 2022, in St Augustine, Florida.
News and Alerts
Many blue water sailors may not know that under Mr Tillet’s direction, complementary newsletters alerting cruisers to critical happenings in their areas, changes to Aids to Navigation, warnings of waterway closures and infrastructure damage due to weather were sent to anyone who requested this information, or went to the Waterway Guide (WWG) website.
During the most recent years of hurricane impacts to the areas the WWG serves, a WWG alert system was established to help track local area damages by Hurricanes Dorian/Ian and now Nicole in the Bahamas and along the USA coastlines.
COVID Information
During COVID, WWG was instrumental in establishing an online site informing the cruising community of COVID closures, rules, changes in rules, procedures and where to get tests and assistance.
As state by state and even county by county COVID rules were not consistent, waterway areas and marinas were closed suddenly. This was very disruptive for many cruising members trying to return to their home bases, or escaping hurricane areas in season.
For those not aware, many blue water cruising vessels either returned to the USA during COVID or their crew did, leaving the boat laid up in foreign or US. ports. This service by WWG was invaluable.
WWG continued for over two years to offer COVID information marina by marina, state by state and in any area served by WWG publications. To assist cruisers, WWG welcomed input from SSCA, local area marinas and other organizations to insure the best data was available. This inclusive process was an example of true volunteer effort and service for the health of the blue water sailing community, reaching well into all areas our boats as they passage in the Western Atlantic and Caribbean.
About the Award
A member of SSCA donated monies to be used to recognize those who have significantly helped sailors living the full-time cruising lifestyle. The conditions of the donation were that the donor remain anonymous; that the award be named to honor Herb Hilgenberg, whose boat as well as his famous high frequency radio station named Southbound II, and that Herb Hilgenberg be the first recipient. The award consists of a crystal trophy and the recognition of the cruising community. Herb was, indeed, the first recipient of the award in 1999.
The SSCA congratulates Mr. Ed Tillett, Waterway Guide, as a 2022 recipient of the SSCA Southbound II Award.
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Related Links
Related to the following Cruising Resources: Atlantic Ocean West, Books, Caribbean Sea, Charts, Country Cruising Guide, Pilot Book, Routing
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