5 sources · updated 21 Oct 2026
Stanley John Reed, known as Bertie Reed, was born in Port Elizabeth in 1943. He joined the South African Navy in 1961, serving 21 years, and took up sailing there.
He finished second in the 1982-83 BOC Challenge aboard Voortrekker, a boat then considered obsolete, and seventh in 1986-87 aboard Stabilo Boss, later raced as Maiden. He also took part in the 1989-90 Vendée Globe.
During the 1990-91 BOC Challenge he rescued sailor John Martin, whose yacht had sunk after hitting an iceberg in the Southern Ocean, earning the Wolraad Woltemade Decoration, South Africa's highest civilian bravery award. He won Springbok colours five times and was inducted into the Single-Handed Sailors' Hall of Fame in 2006.
He died of cancer at his home in Gordon's Bay on 18 December 2006. A bronze bust by sculptor Charl Frank was unveiled at Cape Town's V&A Waterfront in 2009.
