At last weekend’s Storm Trysail Club Safety at Sea Seminar at SUNY Maritime, Ann Myer was honored with the first-ever STC Seamanship Burgee, a new award recognizing extraordinary acts of seamanship, rescue, and safety. The award was presented in recognition of her exceptional leadership and calm execution during a man overboard recovery on August 7, 2024, during the Raritan Yacht Club’s Wednesday Night Race Series.

Myer was helming her J/105 Magic when she and her crew witnessed a crew member fall overboard from another J/105 struggling to control a spinnaker. The situation was urgent—the overboard sailor was in full foul weather gear, without a PFD, and the other boat was unable to assist. Acting immediately, Myer and her crew executed a flawless rescue.

Crewmember Rand Milton, who served as tactician during the race and submitted the nomination, recalled the moment: “Upon seeing the boat in trouble, we spotted the MOB and assigned a spotter. The rest of the crew took down the spinnaker as we sailed directly to the person in the water. Ann helmed the boat perfectly—sailing just past the MOB, turning upwind, and stopping the boat right alongside.”

Although a Lifesling was deployed, it wasn’t needed. The MOB was alert, uninjured, and able to assist in climbing aboard with the help of Magic’s crew. The entire team—Mark Kraft (main trimmer), Gary Myer (bow), Rand Milton (tactician), and others—worked efficiently and without hesitation.

Milton emphasized Myer’s leadership in his nomination: “Ann should be awarded the burgee. She drove flawlessly and was outstanding in calmly coordinating the crew for a successful and fast MOB recovery. It was a great team effort, but her steadiness at the helm made the difference.”

The STC Seamanship Burgee is awarded to a skipper, owner, boat, or crew who performs an outstanding act of seamanship, rescue, or safety either as a Storm Trysail Club member or during a club-affiliated event. Myer’s actions embody the Corinthian spirit and competence the Club seeks to celebrate with this new honor.

👏 Congratulations to Ann Myer and the crew of Magic for setting the standard.