Lymington boat builder, Jeremy Rogers, has received the OCC Award of Merit from the Ocean Cruising Club, their highest award. It was presented in recognition of his contribution to the world of yachting over 50 years and was designed to coincide with the 40th anniversary of the legendary Contessa 32.

Rogers was joined by his wife Fiona at the OCC Dinner and Awards Ceremony held at the Royal Southampton Yacht Club, Ocean Village, Southampton.
Presenting the OCC Award of Merit, Peter Whatley, said: ’50 years ago Jeremy Rogers started building boats in a small yard in Lymington that quickly developed into a state of the art production facility and became the envy of the boatbuilding industry. Many of the boats that Jeremy has built continue to be raced competitively and cruised extensively around the world.’

Rogers was Yachtsman of the Year in 1974 after rescuing a family during an offshore race, and he received an MBE for his services to yachting in 1981.  
During the 1970s he was well known for producing cutting edge racing yachts in collaboration with designers like Doug Peterson but his most popular boat is the iconic Contessa 32 which is still in production at the Jeremy Rogers’ yard in the Lymington Yacht Haven.
 
Contessa 32s are famous for making epic journeys around the globe. 2011 marks the 40th anniversary of the Contessa 32, and boats from far and wide will be gathering in Lymington in June for a weekend of celebrations.