Parade of Sail & Blessing of the Fleet 2003

     Associates Committee

     Cruising Yacht Club of Australia

The Associates Committee held their 10th Annual “Parade Of Sail & Blessing of the Fleet” at 1030hours on Sunday 27th July 2003.

A crisp clear morning greeted the record fleet of 30 classic yachts as they assembled off Point Piper. A light westerly blowing off the snow capped Blue Mountains, saw crews rugged up for the occasion as the yachts maneuvered in this good sailing & flag flying, breeze.

Yet again, The Sydney Heritage Fleet’s magnificent, 100 year old Edwardian Schooner “Boomerang,” skippered by Michael York, was the official start vessel. Aboard was, The Commodore John Messenger, past Commodores, Chaplain Chris Aulich RAN, Associate President Gail Lewis-Bearman, Associates & official guests.

Boomerang in front of CYC

The judges for the event, Jim Carpenter, Bob Ross & Pam Brinsmead, were aboard Belinda & Hugh Webster’s fly-bridge cruiser “Seraphim V.” Theirs was the difficult task of choosing a winner in “The Ship Shape & Bristol Fashion Award”.

At the first sound signal Chaplain Chris Aulich RAN, of “HMAS Kutterbrul,” performed “The Blessing of the Fleet” from the stern of “Boomerang.” Then at 1100hours the cannon on her bow was fired by Alan Brown to start the Parade. Commodore John Messenger took the Salute & those aboard “Boomerang,” gave each vessel three cheers as they passed by. The fleet followed John & Marg Keelty’s “Electra” as they headed for their Fort Denison rounding. The steady breeze gave these classic yachts the opportunity to show off to the judges before returning to the CYCA for further serious judging in the pond.

The salute

A hearty lunch greeted the 180 skippers, crews & guests in the clubhouse’s Morna & Freya Rooms. The judges found their task quite daunting, choosing the winner & runners up, as the quality of yachts entered improves so much each year.

This year the Winner, second year in a row, of the “Ship Shape & Bristol Fashion Award,” was Ian Kortlang’s, immaculate Eric Montgomery design “Antara.” launched in 1951. Second place was too difficult to separate, with David Champtaloup’s, “Caprice of Huon” designed by Robert Clark, launched in 1951 & Alan Stanton’s “Samiel” Designed by Holman & Pye, launched in 1964, as the joint winners for second place.

Chenonetta (foreground) and Seraphim V

Also mentioned by the judges were John Keelty’s “Electra,” Cathryn Dixon’s “Chenonetta,” Ian Kiernan’s, “Maris,” & John Musgrove’s “ Varuna”. Congratulations to all who entered this memorable day of yachting eloquence & good fellowship. All owners of these magnificent yachts so lovingly restored, are to be congratulated for their part in preserving this important part of Australia’s maritime history, without them these beautiful vessels would be lost for future generation of those, “ who love to go down to the sea in ships.”

Sylvia's crew

Jeannette York