On Saturday, May 12, 2018, 1pm, at Sound Sailing Center’s Annual Commissioning Day, Captain Henry Marx of Landfall Navigation, on behalf of US Sailing, will present the US Sailing’s Arthur B. Hanson Rescue Medal to Sound Sailing instructors Martinus van Breems (Sound Sailing Center’s founder) and William Jessup (also head of Landfall Navigation training), and students Fred Moy, Brad Freeman, Michael McCormick and Peter Kelly.
The crew of the Disco Volante rescued nine boaters whose boat had overturned near the Cape Cod Canal. © Sound Sailing Center
All were taking part in Sound Sailing Centers annual Advanced Cruising Class, from CT to Maine on the Disco Volante, a 40’ Hanse when they assisted in rescuing eight children and one Mom from an overturned motorboat at the mouth of the Cape Cod Canal.
Ironically, they had just completed MOB practice drills when they came upon the overturned motorboat.
Sound Sailing Center is in Norwalk Cove Marina at 54 Calf Pasture Beach Road, Norwalk, CT 06855. With some Map Programs, use 54 Comber Drive for the address.
The US Coast Guard also presented the Meritorious Public Service Award and Medal to the instructors and students of the Disco Volante earlier in the spring. As noted in the USCG award, the Disco Volante’s decision to “respond when disaster struck showed great courage and ultimately saved 12 lives. These valiant and extraordinary actions are most heartily commended and are in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Coast Guard”.
US Sailing is the national governing body of Sailing in the US. Besides organizing Safety at Sea Seminars, they manage a whole range of activities to promote and advance the sport of sailing.
The event is open to the public, and includes reefing, docking and man overboard retrieval demonstrations with hands on practice after the awards presentation using SSC’s fleet of boats from 23′ to 44′. Members will also be offering sailboat rides for those interested in learning to sail or advance their sailing skills.
Sound Sailing Center was founded in 1995 and provided US Sailing Certified instruction from Introduction to Sailing and Basic Keelboat in local waters to Bareboat Cruising with passages to Maine and the Caribbean. There is also a Junior program. The membership option allows unlimited sailing for a low yearly fee starting at $1,587 for weekday daysailer access.
Please contact Martin van Breems at 203-838-1110 or Dutchman_MVB@hotmail.com for more info. Please visit www.soundsailingcenter.com for more information.
