Boating and fishing journalists received writing contest awards today from Boating Writers International at the Miami International Boat Show.
Active Interest Media received 18 awards, including seven first-place awards, and Jim Flannery, who writes for the AIM magazines Soundings and Anglers Journal, received four awards.
Flannery won first- and second-place awards in the Environmental Awareness & Education category for “The Fiberglass Dilemma” in Soundings and “Troubled Waters” in Anglers Journal, respectively.
He won second- and third-place awards in the “Boating Profiles” category for “Backcountry Boy” in Anglers Journal and “The Real Deal,” also in Anglers Journal, respectively.
Dan Harding of Power & Motoryacht, another AIM title, won a second-place award in the Boat Projects, Renovations & Retrofits category for his story “Legends Never Die” in the June issue.
Presentations in 17 contest categories representing $17,000 in awards were made to first ($500), second ($300) and third ($200) place scorers. Cash award recipients also received a recognition plaque noting their “Excellence in creating compelling stories about the boating lifestyle through entertaining, educational and inspiring journalism.”
In its 24th year, the BWI contest attracted 151 participants submitting 378 entries. In addition to cash awards, Certificates of Merit were presented to writers of another 43 articles that scored within 95 percent of third-place tallies in each category.
These were the first-place winners in each category.
Fishing (sponsored by Suzuki Motor Corp.): “On the Edge” by Zach Harvey (Anglers Journal, Winter)
Gear, Electronics & Product Tests (sponsored by Xantrex/Schneider Electric): “Splash Test Dummy” by Drew Frye (Good Old Boat, Sept.)
Boating Adventures (sponsored by Yamaha Marine Group): “Rite of Passage” by Daniel Parrott (Soundings, Aug.)
Boat/Engine Care and Maintenance (sponsored by Interlux Yacht Finishes): “Sam’s Dead” by Dennis Mullen (Multihull Sailor, Oct.)
Boat Tests & Reviews (sponsored by Volvo Penta): “Reign Supreme” by Marilyn Mower (ShowBoats International, June
Boating Photography(sponsored by Freedom Boat Club): “Rainbow Over the Columbia River Gorge” by George Sass (PassageMaker, Nov.)
Seamanship, Rescue & Safety (sponsored by Sea Tow Services International): 1st, “The Storm Trysail” by Edward Zacko (Good Old Boat, Jan.);
Environmental Awareness & Education (sponsored by American Boat & Yacht Council): “The Fiberglass Dilemma” by Jim Flannery (Soundings, March)
Boating Videos (sponsored by BoatU.S):, “Cruisers 60 Cantius Review” by John Burnham (Boats.com, Jan. 26)
Boating Lifestyles (sponsored by Discover Boating): “Class Act” by David Reed (Sailing World, Sept.)
Boating Issues, News and Analysis (sponsored by Mercury Marine): “The Future is Now” by Kim Kavin (Yachts International, Nov.)
Boat Projects, Renovations & Retrofits (sponsored by Awlgrip North America): “Closing the Loophole” by Ronnie Simpson (Cruising World, May);
Boating Columns (sponsored by KVH Industries Inc.): “Between Fish” by Bill Sisson (Anglers Journal);
Boating Profiles (sponsored by ZF Marine): “Tuned In” by John Page Williams (Anglers Journal, Fall)
The Business of Boating (sponsored by Home Port Marine Marketing): “Boat Lover’s Guide to Marine Tech Schools & Colleges” by Stacey Wigmore (BoatUS Magazine, Dec.)
Boating Travel or Destinations (sponsored by Martin Flory Group): “Beckoned by a Clearing” by Thies Matzen (Cruising World, March)
Technical Writing (sponsored by Dometic Marine): “Black Magic” by Chris Caswell (Boating, July)
