Our pal Giacomo de Stefano surely deserves some recognition for his achievement in voyaging from London to Istanbul in self-built 16ft open sailing dinghy – an Iain Oughtred Ness Yawl, no less – last year, overcoming illness and host of other obstacles and difficulties along the way.
So I think the Classic Boat Awards this year represent an opportunity to give him a well deserved pat on the back, as well as to help focus attention on the reason for his journey – to publicise the plight of the world’s waterways.
Read about the case for Giacomo to receive CB’s personality of the year award here and vote here. And while you’re at it, you might also consider voting for some of our other friends up for a bit of Award action this year including Stirling and Son for the stunning Integrity, and for Adrian Morgan’s lovely Faering built from solid timber or maybe the James Caird replica Alexandra Shackleton built by students at the International Boatbuilding Training College.
I was also pleased to see that the restoration of the Breton tunnyman Biche by the Chantier du Guip is now complete – I’ve had a soft spot for her after seeing her in a sad state some years ago. Read about her claim for an award here.
I was also surprised and pleased to note that someone has entered a Maurice Griffiths designed entry, the Lone Gull named Little Gull. To give restorer Peter Harrold a fillip, read this and bung him a vote too. The well publicised and big money projects shouldn’t be allowed to have things all their own way!