Cruising Association
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The Cruising Association is an association of cruising sailors worldwide, founded in 1908 in London, England. It is best known for its Cruising Almanac, published biennially which covers the whole Atlantic seaboard of Europe and it also publishes a large variety of cruising directions for various parts of the world. It has its headquarters in Limehouse Basin and has over 3,500 members. The patron of The Cruising Association is Sir Robin Knox-Johnston.
History
The Cruising Association was founded "to give increased facilities to cruising yachtsmen". From 1911 it produced a handbook for its members. From 1920 this was updated every few years by its indefatigable secretary, H. J. Hanson, who also built up its library, eventually bequeathing to it his extensive collection of early nautical books and charts. From 2003 the handbook became a collaborative venture with the nautical publisher Imray, Laurie, Norrie & Wilson, published as a biennial Almanac, including sets of tide tables and improved mapping. From the mid-nineties its quarterly bulletin became a colour magazine "Cruising", which includes numerous updates on technical issues as well as stories of cruising sailors.
The Cruising Association offers it members many local groups, known as sections, which organise events throughout the year, on and off the water. In recent years the regional Sections have widened to include successful Mediterranean and Baltic Sections, plus a European Inland Waterways Section and a Blue Water Section. Each has email links keeping members in touch with each other.
Membership
Membership is composed of those who cruise Inland, inshore and offshore by sail or power.