UK-based sailing magazine Yachting Monthly has opened entries for the 2026 Brian Black Memorial Award, an environmental journalism and photography competition run in partnership with Coppercoat, with submissions being accepted until 30 August 2026.
Now in its sixth year, the award commemorates sailors and environmentalists Brian and Lesley Black. It invites submissions focused on the theme ‘Our Inspiring Seas’, with prizes valued at more than £3,000.
Entries are sought for both written and photographic work centred on encounters with marine wildlife or the wider marine environment. Submissions are expected to reflect a personal experience and its impact on the contributor.
The photography competition is open to adults, with a separate category for participants aged 15 or under.
The judging panel includes sailor Mike Golding, presenter and environmentalist Monty Halls, conservationist Dr Bob Brown, Sarah Brown and editorial representatives from Yachting Monthly and Digital Camera World.
How to enter 2026 Brian Black Memorial Award
Written entries should be around 1,800 words and accompanied by 20-30 images. Submissions must include captions within the text, a 100-word biography, a contributor photograph, and supporting images of the vessel, crew, and onboard life, as well as of the marine environment.
Photographic entries must consist of a single image, supported by a 300-word explanation outlining the context of the image, including how and where it was taken and its significance to the contributor. A photograph and 100-word biography are also required.
The winning written entry receives £1,500, along with publication in Yachting Monthly and on its website, and an interview on The Sailing Podcast. The adult photography winner receives camera equipment valued at £750, while the junior category winner receives equipment valued at £500. Prizes are supported by Coppercoat.
Yachting Monthly will also make a £500 donation to marine conservation charity Sea-Changers.
Full details and entry information are available on the Yachting Monthly website.
Mike Golding says: “The world’s oceans are all connected, and the way we treat them has a global impact. Education, one person at a time, showing them what impact their actions can have on the environment below the water’s surface, can have a huge impact, and transform whole ecosystems for the better. For that reason, journalism and storytelling is crucial in making visible and accessible something that is often remote and inaccessible.”
The award was established in 2020 following the deaths of Brian Black in 2019 and Lesley Black in 2018. Brian Black worked as a journalist, film maker and broadcaster in Northern Ireland, documenting environmental change during sailing expeditions. Lesley Black was a sailor and the first female commodore of a Northern Irish yacht club.
“The ocean has shaped my life,” says seven-time circumnavigator and multiple record holder Dee Caffari. “Every mile I’ve sailed has shown me just how powerful, beautiful and fragile our oceans are. The ocean inspires adventure and challenges us in equal measure, which is exactly why we must respect and protect it. I consider the ocean both my office and my playground, but the truth is we are all deeply connected to the ocean. That means we all share a responsibility to care for it, so it can continue to inspire and be enjoyed for generations to come.”
Ewan Clark, director of Coppercoat, adds: “The team at Coppercoat is delighted to support the Brian Black Memorial Award. The concept of using sailing boats to explore the natural world, and to do so with minimal impact on the environment, is absolutely aligned with our values.”
Coppercoat produces antifouling coatings intended as an alternative to conventional products. Sea-Changers is a UK-based marine conservation charity that provides grants for conservation and research projects.
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