AIM Media’s Marine Group dominated the 31st annual Boating Writers International (BWI) awards, taking eight of 16 categories and earning 33 prizes across features, reviews, photography and video. The winners were announced February 14 at the opening of the Miami International Boat Show, recognizing journalism that ranges from seamanship and safety to adventure, conservation and industry reporting.
This year’s competition drew 76 entrants who submitted 248 entries published in 2023. Each category was evaluated by four active journalists early in 2024. Cash prizes were awarded for first, second and third places, along with 26 certificates of merit. Winners also received plaques honoring their “Excellence in creating compelling content about boating through entertaining, educational, and inspiring journalism.”
“Rich storytelling—whether in print, online, video or audio—is the backbone of our titles,” said AIM Marine Group Editorial Director Dan Harding. “It’s gratifying to have our team’s work recognized by BWI and peers across the industry. I’m proud of the dedication and talent on our staff.”
Marine Group President Gary DeSanctis added, “I’m thrilled but not surprised. Under Dan’s leadership the group has raised the bar and produced exceptional work.”
Highlights include SAIL magazine earning five first-place awards and strong showings across multiple categories. Multihull Power & Sail won the new Women in Boating category, Soundings Trade Only took Business of Boating, and Passagemaker prevailed in Boat Projects, Renovations and Refits. AIM titles also captured top honors in Boat Tests and Reviews, Boat Projects/Refits, and Columns.
In Boating Lifestyles (sponsored by Discover Boating), SAIL Editor-in-Chief Wendy Mitman Clarke won first place for “Sailing With the Boy.” Soundings Executive Editor Pim Van Hemmen finished second for “Out of Their Gourds,” and Clarke earned a merit award for “One True Boat.”
Boating Photography (sponsored by ePropulsion) honored Tor Johnson for his evocative cover image “Evening Deck Check” from the May issue of SAIL. Van Hemmen placed second for “Battleship” in Soundings, and writer-photographer Robert Beringer received a merit for “Dawn on the Santa Maria” in SAIL. Judge Tim Murphy praised Johnson’s winner: “Speed and stasis, power and peace: this image captures the beautiful aloneness of being on passage at twilight.”
In News, Issues and Analysis (sponsored by Mercury Marine), Kim Kavin’s “Policy Problems” in Soundings earned third place. For Environmental Awareness and Education (sponsored by Torqeedo), SAIL Technical Editor Adam Cove took second with “Facing Future,” a thorough examination of sustainability advances in boatbuilding.
Seamanship, Rescue and Safety (sponsored by Sea Tow Services International) recognized Chris Dixon, Senior Editor of Power & Motoryacht, for “So Others May Live” (second place), while SAIL Contributing Editor Christopher Birch placed third with “What’s in Your Life Vest?”
AIM Media swept Boat Tests and Reviews (sponsored by Volvo Penta). Clarke won for her review of the Tartan 455, Charlie Levine placed second with “Secret Formula” in Power & Motoryacht, and Passagemaker Editor-in-Chief Jeff Moser took third with “The Real McCoy.” Judge Rich Armstrong praised Clarke’s piece for blending deep subject knowledge, vivid feature walkthroughs and a compelling sea story to create a review that reads like a feature article. Kevin Koenig also received a merit award for “Life and Love in Stockholm” in Power & Motoryacht.
In Fishing (sponsored by Suzuki Marine USA), Anglers Journal Editor-in-Chief Charlie Levine placed third for “Clowning Around” and received a merit award for “Fishing for All.” In Gear, Electronics and Product Tests (sponsored by Xantrex/Mission Critical Electronics), Adam Cove won for “Screw the Status Quo” in Soundings.
The Boat Projects, Renovations and Retrofits category (sponsored by Boats Group) again favored AIM titles. Norris Comer won for “Immortal Words, Historic Boat” in Passagemaker, Van Hemmen for “A Boat for Anne” in Soundings, and Dixon for “The Purpose Driven Yacht” in Power & Motoryacht. Judge Gregg Mansfield noted that the winning restoration story made the reader feel part of a years-long revival of a historic vessel launched during the Great Depression.
Business of Boating (sponsored by BRP) awarded Kim Kavin first and third places in Soundings Trade Only for “How to Play Smart Defense” and “So Far, Not So Bad.” Judge Jeff Hemmel highlighted Kavin’s opening about the costs of cyber-attacks and her practical guidance for businesses protecting themselves against cybercrime. Power & Motoryacht’s Dixon received a merit for “Drawing Board – Scout 67.”
Columns (sponsored by KVH Industries) were another strong area for AIM. Clarke won for her Setting Sail column in SAIL, Zuzana Prochazka placed second for her Charter Life column, and Bill Sisson of Anglers Journal earned third for “Between Fish.” Merit awards in this category went to John Wooldridge for “Used Boats” in Soundings and Bob Arrington for “Life Aboard” in Power & Motoryacht.
In Boating Travel or Destinations (sponsored by Dometic), Tor Johnson received a merit for “Beauty in the Rough” in SAIL, and Lisa Mighetto earned a merit for “Outside City Limits” in Passagemaker. Charlie Levine received a merit in Boating Profiles (sponsored by Nautical Ventures) for “A Last Great Place” in Anglers Journal.
Boating Adventures (sponsored by Yamaha Marine Group) named SAIL Managing Editor Lydia Mullan first for “Baptism by Fire,” while Chris Dixon placed third for “Through Hell for High Water” in Power & Motoryacht. Chair Tristan Rutherford called Mullan’s piece “a rollercoaster adventure that you’d rather read about than live through—credit to a gifted author.”
Mullan also won the new Women in Boating category (sponsored by Yamaha Watercraft) for “Tri and Tri Again” in Multihull Power & Sail. Kim Kavin placed second for “Stop Dreaming. Set a Goal” in Soundings, and Gary Reich of Soundings Trade Only received a merit for “Strength in Numbers.” Judge Chris Dixon praised the first-place entry as “an excellent first-person account of a unique boat, its fascinating crew and an experiential adventure aboard a very fast vessel.”
About BWI
Boating Writers International is a non-profit professional organization of writers, editors, broadcasters, publishers, photographers, public relations specialists and other communications professionals working in the boating industry. Its members include active marine journalists throughout the U.S., Canada and worldwide. For additional information, see www.bwi.org.