Derry Clipper skipper wins top "Seamanship" award for dramatic ocean rescue of crew member

The skipper of the Derry yacht in the 2013-2014 Clipper Round the World Yacht Race has been honoured with a major award for how he handled a "man overboard" drama during the event.

Sean McCarter (33) has won The Cruising Club of America (CCA) Rod Stephens Trophy for Outstanding Seamanship for his leadership in recovering crew member Andrew Taylor.

The 46-year-old, from London, went overboard in April during a storm in the middle of a Pacific Ocean storm, almost halfway through the 5,600 mile race from Qingdao, China to San Francisco.

He was pulled from the water 90 minutes later.

He made a full recovery and continued in the race.

Sean (pictured above) said he was honoured to receive the award for his part in saving Andrew’s life.

However, he stressed th finding and rescuing of Andrew in the midst of a North Pacific gale was not down to one person but to the "skill and determination of a well-trained team.”

The award will be presented to Sean in New York next March.

Meanwhile, Sean and his crew have also nominated for the Yachts and Yachting Magazine Achievement of the Year Award, the winner of wgucg will be announced in February.