Announcing the OCC Challenge Grant

OCC established a Challenge Grant to encourage ambitious expeditions for environmental conservation © Baxter Gillespie

The Ocean Cruising Club membership has had a long tradition of adventurous ocean sailing and marine conservation activities. Whether high latitudes voyaging, non-stop solo circumnavigating, sampling ocean waters, or researching threatened species, OCC members' adventures and conservation efforts, documented in its flagship publication The Flying Fish, have helped sailors dream big and plan exciting and meaningful voyages.

Now, with decades of storied history, the OCC continues to support these endeavours and is proud to stand behind the individuals and their projects which seek the betterment of the sailing community and maritime environment. After a productive discussion about the merits of such a programme in an informal session following the AGM this April, a small team of highly experienced OCC members drafted a proposal to the General Committee, which approved it unanimously. Champion of the concept, Commodore Simon Currin, was encouraged by the support of the Board, Committee and members.

The Challenge Grant encompasses two categories: the Conservation or Environmental Grant and the Adventure Grant. Grants are intended to help with project costs and range from £250 to £3,000, depending on the size and scope of the project.

The OCC Challenge Grant - Conservation

The OCC's Conservation grant is for members looking to make a difference with a specific conservation or environmental project that is centred around the ocean, marine or maritime environment.

Conservation Projects Should:

• Be related to the ocean, maritime or marine environments
• Have measurable, high impact yet achievable goals
• Incorporate best practices for sustainability
• Improve the marine conservation and/or conservation practices
• Demonstrate "Leave No Trace" practices
• Demonstrate a plan for long-term success
• If possible, engage members of the community to ensure the sustainability of the project
• If possible, have local and national conservation manager endorsement and appropriate local/national licensing where necessary
• Have a realistic budget
• Incorporate the best ethical practices

This Grant is for sailors in pursuit of world-class sailing and sail exploration objectives. Adventure Grants are intended to more significantly contribute towards total expedition costs.

Adventure Grant Goals:

The Adventure Grant seeks to fund individuals planning expeditions to remote areas, featuring unexplored areas, difficult sailing routes, challenging multi-sport exploits, or similar world-class pursuits.

For details on how to apply, please visit the OCC Challenge Grant page.

Click here to learn more about the OCC Challenge Grant.

This article has been provided by the courtesy of Ocean Cruising Club.