The CA is thrilled to announce the winners of the 2024 CAptain’s Mate Photo Competition. This annual competition is designed to inspire and encourage members to share cruising information by uploading their photos to the app.
The photos uploaded during the 2024 season reflect the incredible diversity and beauty of cruising locations around the world, with members capturing pilotage information, the uniqueness of destinations and bringing hidden gems to life.
A huge thank you to everyone who submitted their photos - your contributions make CAptain’s Mate the award-winning app we all rely on. Each photo tells a unique story and helps fellow members navigate and explore locations with confidence.
After initial review by the CA’s Cruising Information Development Group (CIDG), shortlisting by Bob Bradfield MBE, and final selection by CIDG, we are delighted to reveal the winners in the three categories.
Bob Bradfield, awarded an MBE in 2019 for his contributions to safe navigation on the west coast of Scotland, brings unmatched expertise to his role as judge. Over the last 12 years, he surveyed 579 anchorages on Scotland’s west coast, enabling the production of detailed large-scale charts. Bob knows a thing or two about what makes a good anchorage!
The winners and runners-up are:
Most helpful for 'Pilotage': photos which illustrate pilotage in some useful way, such as leading lines or the location of a submerged rock
- Winner: Paul Hampden Smith’s photo captures the view to Utklippan, Sweden, from the south. It provides a clear and practical perspective of the lighthouse and harbour approach, making it an invaluable resource.
- Runner-up: Kay Wilson’s photo of La Petite Mouette in Dahouët, France, taken at low water, highlights the challenges of accessing this drying inlet. It serves as a helpful reminder to follow the navigation marks carefully.
Capturing the 'Essence of the place': a photo that conveys what to expect when you arrive at a destination
- Winner: Richard Kitson’s stunning image of the Customs House in Hoorn, The Netherlands, perfectly captures the historic charm of this delightful city.
- Runner-up: Gordon Knight’s shot of a shady spot at Fethiye market in Turkey is superbly enticing and located just a short stroll from the harbour.
Providing 'Useful Information': photos that illustrate something practical, such as the location of a water tap, harbourmaster’s office or other key facilities
- Winner: Paul Hampden Smith’s photo, taken from the west and looking to Hävringe on the outer archipelago of Oxelösund, Sweden, features the narrow entrance that leads to a stunning and well-protected harbour
- Runner-up: Elizabeth Thorp’s shot of Bobovisce on west coast of the island of Brac, Croatia, clearly shows the narrow inlet access to this safe and picturesque harbour.
Ian Wilson, Chair of the CIDG, shared his thoughts on this year’s competition, saying, "The members response to our request for more photos of the locations in CM has been fantastic. Each photo tells a unique story and helps us all navigate and discover new locations with confidence. Thank you to everyone who has contributed. Your photos highlight the benefits of the app gallery function, are a vital resource for the CA community and inspire us to explore new horizons."
Each winner will receive CA goodies as a token of our appreciation for their contributions.
How to Participate
If you missed this year’s competition, don’t worry! You can start sharing your photos now for a chance to win in 2025. We encourage all members to upload their photos to CAptain’s Mate – every image you share will automatically be considered for the competition.
Whether it is a river entrance, a panoramic harbour view or a hidden gem from your anchorage, your photos bring CAptain’s Mate to life.
Whether you are adding photos to an existing location or creating a new one, uploading photos is quick and easy. Simply use your smartphone, tablet or PC and upload directly to the app. Photos do not need to be perfectly composed; what matters most is how they capture pilotage, useful information or the essence of a place to help others plan their journeys.
What else makes a good picture in CAptain’s Mate
The categories give you a good steer as to what makes useful photo in Captain’s Mate, but some simple editing can really elevate your picture. Most pictures are only viewed on a phone screen, so cropping the photo closer to the subject is useful. Likewise straightening the horizon makes it look more professional. Many phones will give you the ability to check your horizon is level when you take the photo, but if not and if you have taken your photo on your phone it is really easy to edit. Go into your photo app in your phone and before you upload the photo to CAptain’s Mate correct it by selecting the relevant photo, then click edit followed by the cropping symbol: cropping and straightening are all in the same place.
Upload your photos to CAptain’s Mate by 31 December 2025.
18 March 2025