Seven Seas Cruising Association
Encyclopedia
The Seven Seas Cruising Association, or SSCA is an organization for cruisers
based in the US and founded in 1952. The SSCA Corporate Bylaws state the purpose of the organization being "...to provide an association of persons having a common interest in living aboard and cruising seagoing craft and to exchange experiences and information in connection with their common interest for the mutual comfort, safety and pleasure of all ..."
It publishes a monthly informational bulletin and promotes environmentally conscious yachting amongst their approximately 8000 members. An active social and educational program focuses on several so-called "GAMS", that are gatherings of the membership in cruising grounds around the world, the main one being held in Melbourne, Florida in November.
The SSCA is incorporated as a tax-exempt non-profit organization under IRS Section 501(c)(7) - "Recreational and Social Clubs". It also has an associated foundation, the SSCA Foundation, Inc. that is a 501(c)(3) corporation primarily for educational purposes and to which donations are deductible to the donor.
Other new services include: Self-updating membership roster including basic information like boat name, crew names and hailing port. Online GAM/Event Registration, A totally revamped online Equipment Survey in association with Practical Sailor. Pets OnBoard and the Kid’s Corner, and best of all, a new Discounts and Coupon Specials Page featuring Marine products and services specials expressly for SSCA Members.
As always, members can renew and update their email addresses as well as purchase through the online store. Other web features include a two years of the Commodores’ Bulletin in searchable pdfs. Eventually, cruising members will be able to enter their current location on the interactive map on the new Website and view “hot boxes” showing information on the area they are cruising.
The intention to go cruising, whether locally or worldwide, was extremely important to the membership.
Towards the end of 1975, after moving permanently to south Florida, SSCA was incorporated as a Florida ‘Not for Profit’ Corporation under the IRS Section 501(c)(7) - "Recreational and Social Clubs". Although the SSCA still depends on volunteers for all of its events and activities, there is a staff of three at “Home Base” in Fort Lauderdale.
Camaraderie has been an important feature of SSCA from the early days and continues, as witnessed by SSCA Members gathering all around the world. On an annual basis, members hold "GAMS" in Trinidad, on Florida’s West Coast, in Maine, Annapolis and at the Annual Convention and Meeting in Melbourne, Florida.
Cruising (maritime)
Cruising by boat is a lifestyle that involves living for extended time on a boat while traveling from place to place for pleasure. Cruising generally refers to trips of a few days or more, and can extend to round-the-world voyages.- History :...
based in the US and founded in 1952. The SSCA Corporate Bylaws state the purpose of the organization being "...to provide an association of persons having a common interest in living aboard and cruising seagoing craft and to exchange experiences and information in connection with their common interest for the mutual comfort, safety and pleasure of all ..."
It publishes a monthly informational bulletin and promotes environmentally conscious yachting amongst their approximately 8000 members. An active social and educational program focuses on several so-called "GAMS", that are gatherings of the membership in cruising grounds around the world, the main one being held in Melbourne, Florida in November.
The SSCA is incorporated as a tax-exempt non-profit organization under IRS Section 501(c)(7) - "Recreational and Social Clubs". It also has an associated foundation, the SSCA Foundation, Inc. that is a 501(c)(3) corporation primarily for educational purposes and to which donations are deductible to the donor.
Bulletin
The monthly Commodores' Bulletin published by the SSCA focuses on sharing information among cruisers regarding a wide variety of topics, from navigation to customs procedures in various countries. Members submit "letters" to the Bulletin about where they are cruising.Website
SSCA’s newly updated site will include a new Interactive Map with:- Hot spot links to info by country/area
- Member Tracking - find other members and Cruising Families
- Over 80 Worldwide Cruising Stations
- Port Guides Wiki - including SSB/Ham Radio downloads of all information/Letters by area (indexed), including articles, security notices, etc.
Other new services include: Self-updating membership roster including basic information like boat name, crew names and hailing port. Online GAM/Event Registration, A totally revamped online Equipment Survey in association with Practical Sailor. Pets OnBoard and the Kid’s Corner, and best of all, a new Discounts and Coupon Specials Page featuring Marine products and services specials expressly for SSCA Members.
As always, members can renew and update their email addresses as well as purchase through the online store. Other web features include a two years of the Commodores’ Bulletin in searchable pdfs. Eventually, cruising members will be able to enter their current location on the interactive map on the new Website and view “hot boxes” showing information on the area they are cruising.
History
The SSCA was founded in 1952 in Coronado, California and was based on a single idea—that cruising sailors, both local and abroad, enjoy hearing from and about each other and that their experiences and discoveries can benefit all. From the start, the focus of SSCA was for members to share cruising information by sending letters about their experiences to the Commodores’ Bulletin, to recommend others of for membership, and to “leave a clean wake” so that others who follow will be warmly welcomed. Thus the Clean Wake Policy has been an integral part of SSCA from the beginning.The intention to go cruising, whether locally or worldwide, was extremely important to the membership.
Towards the end of 1975, after moving permanently to south Florida, SSCA was incorporated as a Florida ‘Not for Profit’ Corporation under the IRS Section 501(c)(7) - "Recreational and Social Clubs". Although the SSCA still depends on volunteers for all of its events and activities, there is a staff of three at “Home Base” in Fort Lauderdale.
Camaraderie has been an important feature of SSCA from the early days and continues, as witnessed by SSCA Members gathering all around the world. On an annual basis, members hold "GAMS" in Trinidad, on Florida’s West Coast, in Maine, Annapolis and at the Annual Convention and Meeting in Melbourne, Florida.