Sailing Around the World: A Safety Guide for New Sailors

Sailing around the world is a dream adventure that promises breathtaking scenery, cultural encounters, and the ultimate sense of freedom. But for new sailors, embarking on a global voyage also comes with significant risks. From unpredictable weather and equipment failure to health concerns and piracy, understanding how to prepare and respond to challenges is key to a safe journey.

This guide is designed for new sailors who are setting their sights on circumnavigating the globe. We’ll explore how to prepare, what to carry, and how to handle unexpected situations—all while ensuring you prioritize safety above all else.

1. Build a Solid Foundation of Sailing Skills

Before you ever leave the harbor, it’s essential to have hands-on experience and a firm grasp of the fundamentals:

Take Sailing Courses: Enroll in certified sailing schools such as ASA (American Sailing Association) or RYA (Royal Yachting Association). Learn how to handle different sailboats, manage sails, and navigate using both modern and traditional methods.
Get Experience: Spend time sailing in various weather conditions and environments. Start with short trips before working your way up to longer offshore passages.
Learn Emergency Maneuvers: Practice man-overboard recovery, reefing sails quickly, and using emergency steering methods.

2. Choose the Right Boat for Long-Distance Sailing

Your boat is your home, your transport, and your lifeline. Choosing the right one is vital.

Bluewater Cruisers: Look for boats designed specifically for long voyages—typically between 35 and 50 feet long, with strong hulls, good storage capacity, and a manageable rig.
Safety Features: Your boat should have features like watertight bulkheads, high lifelines, reliable self-steering gear, and a solid keel.
Redundancy: Have backup systems for steering, power generation, and navigation.

Tip: Don’t overload your boat with gear—it can compromise stability and performance.

3. Plan Thoroughly

Good planning minimizes surprises. Think of your circumnavigation as a series of legs, each with its own weather, laws, supplies, and hazards.

Route Planning: Follow the trade winds when possible. Consider popular circumnavigation routes like the Coconut Milk Run across the Pacific, which take advantage of calmer conditions.
Seasons Matter: Avoid hurricane/cyclone seasons in tropical areas. Use resources like Jimmy Cornell’s “World Cruising Routes” to understand weather patterns.
Visas and Regulations: Each country has its own rules for sailors. Research entry requirements, customs procedures, and boat documentation needed.

4. Invest in Safety Equipment

Safety gear is non-negotiable. Equip your boat with:

Personal Safety Gear

Life jackets (with harnesses and tethers)
PLBs (Personal Locator Beacons)
EPIRB (Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon)
AIS (Automatic Identification System) for collision avoidance
Ditch bag with emergency supplies

Boat Safety Equipment

Fire extinguishers and fire blanket
Liferaft (properly serviced and suited for your crew size)
Emergency tiller or backup steering
Bilge pumps (manual and electric)
Flares and signal devices
Radar reflectors

Check and service all safety equipment regularly. It's not just about having it—it's about knowing how to use it.

5. Master Navigation and Communication

Navigation

Charts: Always carry up-to-date paper charts as a backup to electronic navigation.
Plotters & Apps: Use GPS, chartplotters, and sailing navigation apps like Navionics or OpenCPN.
Celestial Navigation: Learning to use a sextant is a valuable backup skill in case electronics fail.

Communication

VHF Radio: For short-range communication (up to 20-30 miles).
SSB/HF Radio: Enables weather updates and communication over long distances.
Satellite Communications: Devices like Garmin inReach or Iridium GO! allow global texting, emailing, and emergency SOS.

6. Understand Weather and Forecasting

The sea can turn deadly with little warning. Being weather-aware is vital.

Learn to Read the Sky: Understand signs of weather changes—cloud formations, wind shifts, and barometer readings.
Use Forecasting Tools: Access daily forecasts using GRIB files, weather routers, and satellite downloads.
Have a Plan B: Always know where the nearest safe harbor is located if weather turns.

Avoid setting sail if storms or rough seas are forecasted. Patience is a safety tool.

7. Know Basic Medical Skills and Carry a Comprehensive First Aid Kit

You’ll often be far from help. Being able to treat injuries and illnesses is a must.

Training

Take a marine first aid or wilderness first aid course.
Learn to manage wounds, burns, dehydration, infections, and seasickness.

Medical Supplies

Prescription medications
Seasickness treatments (patches, tablets, wristbands)
Antiseptics, bandages, sutures
Dental emergency kit
Antibiotics (with doctor consultation)

Also consider carrying a medical guidebook, like The Ship Captain's Medical Guide or Where There Is No Doctor.

8. Maintain and Inspect Your Boat Regularly

Routine maintenance prevents emergencies. Perform daily, weekly, and monthly checks.

Daily: Check rigging tension, inspect for leaks, monitor fuel/water levels.
Weekly: Test batteries, bilge pumps, electronics.
Monthly: Inspect sails, service winches, clean filters.

Create checklists and log maintenance tasks. Preventing problems is far easier (and safer) than fixing them mid-ocean.

9. Manage Energy and Water Wisely

Energy and water are lifelines during long passages.

Energy: Combine solar panels, wind generators, and engine alternators. Monitor battery levels and conserve power.
Water: Use a watermaker if possible, but always carry reserve water in jerry cans. Conserve by using saltwater for dishwashing and only drinking purified water.

Always assume systems can fail and plan accordingly.

10. Stay Physically and Mentally Healthy

Life at sea is both exhilarating and exhausting. Long passages can bring physical strain and mental fatigue.

Sleep in Shifts: Use a watch schedule to ensure rest. Solo sailors need strategies like napping with alarms and radar alerts.
Eat Well: Keep a stocked pantry of non-perishables and rotate fresh produce. Nutrition keeps energy and morale high.
Stay Active: Do stretches or light exercises on deck. Prevent muscle stiffness and injuries.
Mental Health: Loneliness, fear, or frustration are common, especially on solo voyages. Stay connected with loved ones and allow yourself time to relax and reflect.

11. Learn About Local Customs and Security Risks

You’ll be visiting unfamiliar cultures and waters. Respect and awareness are crucial.

Research Ahead: Learn basic customs, greetings, and laws.
Piracy Risks: Avoid piracy-prone areas such as parts of the Gulf of Aden, West Africa, or the Sulu Sea. Use Noonsite.com for up-to-date reports.
Avoid Flashy Gear: Don’t attract unnecessary attention with expensive electronics or jewelry when onshore.

Use common sense when interacting with locals—most people are kind, but caution never hurts.

12. Prepare for Emergency Scenarios

Hope for the best but train for the worst. Have drills and know exactly what to do if something goes wrong.

Examples to Prepare For:

Man Overboard: Immediate crew response can save a life.
Fire: Know where extinguishers are and how to isolate fuel sources.
Abandon Ship: Know when it’s time to launch the liferaft. Ensure ditch bag is ready with water, food rations, and signaling gear.

Hold emergency drills with your crew regularly, even if you're sailing solo (practice mentally and physically).

13. Join the Cruising Community

Don’t underestimate the value of experienced sailors.

Cruising Forums: Platforms like Cruisers Forum, Facebook groups, or Sailing Anarchy offer advice and camaraderie.
Cruising Rallies: Events like the World ARC or Pacific Puddle Jump offer group support, weather routing, and social connections.
Marina Culture: Chat with locals and other sailors—many safety tips come from experience, not books.

You’re never truly alone when part of the sailing world.

Final Thoughts: Safety First, Adventure Always

Circumnavigating the globe is a challenge that demands respect—for the sea, for your vessel, and for your own limits. For new sailors, the key to a successful journey lies not in eliminating all risks (which is impossible), but in preparing thoroughly, learning continuously, and always prioritizing safety.

This journey will test you, teach you, and ultimately transform you. Take the time to learn, to plan, and to double-check—because the ocean rewards those who sail wisely.

Quick Safety Checklist for New Global Sailors

✅ Get certified and gain sailing experience
✅ Choose a seaworthy, well-equipped boat
✅ Install redundant safety and navigation systems
✅ Learn weather patterns and avoid storm seasons
✅ Create emergency plans and practice drills
✅ Carry a well-stocked medical and ditch bag
✅ Stay connected and informed with satellite communication
✅ Join the sailing community for support and updates
✅ Respect cultures and assess local risks
✅ Always, always wear your safety harness offshore

Fair winds and following seas! Stay safe, and may your voyage around the world be everything you’ve dreamed—and more.