⚓️ Forged from Adversity — and Friendship
The Phat Buoys’ most treasured symbol was born in the freezing waters off Newfoundland in 2004.
That year, aboard Shadow in Indigo, disaster struck — the propeller sheared off somewhere in the North Atlantic.
With no radar, light winds, and icy water thick with ice-fractured debris, the crew had to limp back to Trinity Bay through the dark.
It was in Ireland’s Eye cove that Andrew “BigWag” Wagstaff volunteered to dive beneath the boat to inspect the damage.
He plunged into the sub-zero waters for only seconds before the cold forced him back up — confirming that the prop had indeed fallen away.
His courage became the spark for what would become the Phat Buoys’ highest honour.
⚓️ Creation of the Trophy
That winter, Warren Creates and his son Neville fashioned a trophy to commemorate the event and celebrate bravery, seamanship and spirit.
They reclaimed a genuine antique bronze propeller from Newfoundland, mounted on a swan-neck shaft, fixed to a tiered mahogany base.
Engraved brass plates mark every voyage, and the great blades themselves bear the names of each year’s recipient.
It is enormous — over 20 kg of gleaming bronze and wood — and travelling with it has become a yearly endurance test of its own.
It has crossed oceans, countries, and continents, appearing in countless photos, parties, and presentations.
⚓️ A Tradition of Tribute
Each year, the current holder presents the trophy to the Phat Buoy who has contributed most to the previous voyage —
whether through seamanship, spirit, organisation, leadership, humour, or heroic rescue.
The moment of presentation is always one of laughter, storytelling, and genuine emotion — often accompanied by a poem, speech, or toast.
And every Phat Buoy knows: possession of the Trinity Prop means lugging it through airports, bars, and border crossings for the next twelve months.
⚓️ Winners of the Trinity Prop Trophy
| Trip Year | Presented Year | Winner(s) | Citation / Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 2005 | Andrew Wagstaff | Brave volunteer diver; boundary pusher and breaker |
| 2005 | 2006 | Mark Daniel | Inspirational leadership; stoic skippering; calm in adversity |
| 2006 | 2007 | Chris Robson | Reliable, genial gentleman; dependable first mate |
| 2007 | 2008 | Simon Tyler | Stepped up to full crewman; built Phat Buoy brand and merch |
| 2008 | 2009 | Boris Ulehla | Loved, caring Phat Buoy; balancing galley chaos with grace |
| 2009 | 2010 | Mark Wells | Bloody-minded effort; navigation and all-round contribution |
| 2010 | 2011 | David Ashfield | Quiet, consistent, reliable competence in everything |
| 2011 | 2012 | Warren Creates | Adventurer and inspirer; raised galley finesse to art |
| 2012 | 2013 | Andrew Wagstaff | Rugged, fearless adventurer |
| 2013 | 2014 | Mike Scrivens | Brilliant sailor; newest recruit; leadership and skill |
| 2014 | 2015 | Boris Ulehla | Relentless helper and organiser |
| 2015 | 2016 | Simon Tyler | Stepping up sailing & nav skills and involvement |
| 2016 | 2017 | Warren Creates | The epitome of a Phat Buoy; energy and participation |
| 2017 | 2018 | All Crew | Full participation and shared excellence |
| 2018 | 2019 | Chris Robson | Navigation, leadership, first mate brilliance |
| 2019 | 2020 | Mike Scrivens | Great seamanship, skippering and leadership |
| 2020 | — | — | Not awarded (COVID-19) |
| 2021 | — | — | Not awarded (COVID-19) |
| 2022 | 2023 | Chris Robson & Simon Tyler | Navigation and stewardship |
| 2023 | 2024 | Warren Creates & Boris Ulehla | Galley cuisine, organisation and onshore leadership |
| 2024 | 2025 | Simon Tyler | Navigation mastery and organisation of off-boat adventures |
⚓️ A Living Legacy
Today, the Trinity Prop stands not only as a trophy but as the Phat Buoys’ heart.
It honours courage, contribution, and camaraderie — and the enduring spirit of those who sail together through challenge, humour, and history.
Each year it gleams a little brighter, carries a few more scratches, and tells another story.
A story of the men who have carried it, celebrated it, and earned it.