Questions to ask a skipper, and a checklist for crew and captains

By Global Crew Finder. Published 1 October 2026.

Before you commit to days or weeks on a boat far from shore, ask. The questions below are for crew to put to a skipper and for captains to put to crew. Each says why it is worth asking, with the source where there is one.

It is a checklist, not a test. A good answer is a specific one.

Why ask before you sail

Reported World Cruising Club advises crew and skippers to meet in advance, ideally for a trial sail, and to be honest about experience. It says personality matters as much as skill, and that skippers look for fit, a relaxed attitude and willingness to cook and clean.Source: Ocean Crew Link advice (crew-matching service), seen 1 October 2026.

You are choosing each other. Asking early is easier than a difficult conversation in mid-ocean.

Before you ask, read what the platform does and does not check, and the terms of the passage you are looking at:

What to bring and what is aboard: questions crew can ask the skipper

The boat and its safety

Which World Sailing Offshore Special Regulations category is the boat equipped to?
Why ask:
- Reported World Sailing's Offshore Special Regulations define categories from Category 0 (trans-oceanic, self-sufficient for very extended periods) through Category 1 (long distance, well offshore), Category 2 (extended, along or not far from shore) and Category 3 (open water, mostly protected) to Category 4 (short, near shore, in daylight).Source: World Sailing (organiser or official source), seen 1 October 2026.
What is the boat's history of groundings and repairs, and when were the keel and its bolts last inspected?
Why ask:
- Reported The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch found that the yacht Cheeki Rafiki capsized in 2014 after a probable keel detachment, following earlier groundings and a repair. Its recommendations covered regular keel and bolt inspection, documented flooding actions, and the position of the liferaft and the ability to board it.Source: Yachting Monthly, reporting the MAIB report (article or trade press), seen 1 October 2026.
Where is the liferaft stowed, and could the whole crew launch it and get aboard?
Why ask:
- Reported The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch found that the yacht Cheeki Rafiki capsized in 2014 after a probable keel detachment, following earlier groundings and a repair. Its recommendations covered regular keel and bolt inspection, documented flooding actions, and the position of the liferaft and the ability to board it.Source: Yachting Monthly, reporting the MAIB report (article or trade press), seen 1 October 2026.
- Reported World Cruising Club's safety equipment requirements for its rallies ask for an ocean liferaft for all crew, a 406 MHz EPIRB, an AIS receiver, email at sea (satellite or SSB with Pactor) and man-overboard equipment. Every person needs an inflatable lifejacket-harness with spray hood, crotch strap, whistle and light, a three-point tether (2 m at most) and a personal AIS beacon. Safety inspectors check the boats before the start.Source: World Cruising Club (organiser or official source), seen 1 October 2026. Check with World Cruising Club: safety equipment before you rely on it.
What are the written flooding and abandon-ship procedures, and will I be briefed on them before we leave?
Why ask:
- Reported The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch found that the yacht Cheeki Rafiki capsized in 2014 after a probable keel detachment, following earlier groundings and a repair. Its recommendations covered regular keel and bolt inspection, documented flooding actions, and the position of the liferaft and the ability to board it.Source: Yachting Monthly, reporting the MAIB report (article or trade press), seen 1 October 2026.
Is there an EPIRB (an emergency position-indicating radio beacon) aboard and, if the boat is UK-flagged, is it registered?
Why ask:
- Reported 406 MHz beacons on UK-flagged vessels must be registered with the UK Beacon Registry run by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. Registration is free and online.Source: GOV.UK (MGN 665) (organiser or official source), seen 1 October 2026. Check with UK Beacon Registry (Maritime and Coastguard Agency) before you rely on it.
- Reported World Cruising Club's safety equipment requirements for its rallies ask for an ocean liferaft for all crew, a 406 MHz EPIRB, an AIS receiver, email at sea (satellite or SSB with Pactor) and man-overboard equipment. Every person needs an inflatable lifejacket-harness with spray hood, crotch strap, whistle and light, a three-point tether (2 m at most) and a personal AIS beacon. Safety inspectors check the boats before the start.Source: World Cruising Club (organiser or official source), seen 1 October 2026. Check with World Cruising Club: safety equipment before you rely on it.
Does every person aboard have a lifejacket-harness, tether and personal beacon, or should I bring mine?
Why ask:
- Reported World Cruising Club's safety equipment requirements for its rallies ask for an ocean liferaft for all crew, a 406 MHz EPIRB, an AIS receiver, email at sea (satellite or SSB with Pactor) and man-overboard equipment. Every person needs an inflatable lifejacket-harness with spray hood, crotch strap, whistle and light, a three-point tether (2 m at most) and a personal AIS beacon. Safety inspectors check the boats before the start.Source: World Cruising Club (organiser or official source), seen 1 October 2026. Check with World Cruising Club: safety equipment before you rely on it.
How do we get weather and send email at sea?
Why ask:
- Reported World Cruising Club's safety equipment requirements for its rallies ask for an ocean liferaft for all crew, a 406 MHz EPIRB, an AIS receiver, email at sea (satellite or SSB with Pactor) and man-overboard equipment. Every person needs an inflatable lifejacket-harness with spray hood, crotch strap, whistle and light, a three-point tether (2 m at most) and a personal AIS beacon. Safety inspectors check the boats before the start.Source: World Cruising Club (organiser or official source), seen 1 October 2026. Check with World Cruising Club: safety equipment before you rely on it.

The plan and the people

What is the route, which ports do we call at, and what happens if the weather or a repair changes them?
How many of us are aboard, who has stood night watches before, and how are the watches set?
Can we sail together for a day or at least talk properly first?
Why ask:
- Reported World Cruising Club advises crew and skippers to meet in advance, ideally for a trial sail, and to be honest about experience. It says personality matters as much as skill, and that skippers look for fit, a relaxed attitude and willingness to cook and clean.Source: Ocean Crew Link advice (crew-matching service), seen 1 October 2026.
Is there a port on the way where I can leave if it is not working out?

Money and paperwork

What do I contribute, towards what, and when is it due?
Is it written down, and can I have a copy?
Why ask:
- Reported Crewseekers advises a written crew agreement that covers expectations, finances, that arrival cannot be guaranteed, crew repatriation, and insurance on each side.Source: Crewseekers (crew-matching service), seen 1 October 2026.
Who pays for my flight home if the passage ends early?
Why ask:
- Reported Crew should check passport, visa and return-ticket rules, keep an emergency flight budget, and arrange travel or medical cover that covers ocean sailing.Source: Crewseekers (crew-matching service), seen 1 October 2026.
What will my passport need at each port on the route?
Why ask:
- Visa-exempt non-EU nationals may stay in the Schengen area for at most 90 days in any rolling 180 days. Arrival and departure days count. A passport must also have been issued within the last ten years and be valid for three months after leaving.Source: European Commission (organiser or official source), seen 1 October 2026. Check with European Commission: Schengen area before you rely on it.
- Reported Crew should check passport, visa and return-ticket rules, keep an emergency flight budget, and arrange travel or medical cover that covers ocean sailing.Source: Crewseekers (crew-matching service), seen 1 October 2026.
What travel or medical cover should I carry myself?
Why ask:
- Reported Crew should check passport, visa and return-ticket rules, keep an emergency flight budget, and arrange travel or medical cover that covers ocean sailing.Source: Crewseekers (crew-matching service), seen 1 October 2026.

Life aboard

What are the duties besides keeping watch: cooking, cleaning, maintenance?
Why ask:
- Reported World Cruising Club advises crew and skippers to meet in advance, ideally for a trial sail, and to be honest about experience. It says personality matters as much as skill, and that skippers look for fit, a relaxed attitude and willingness to cook and clean.Source: Ocean Crew Link advice (crew-matching service), seen 1 October 2026.
What are the rules on alcohol, smoking and guests?
What does the skipper expect of me in bad weather, and what may I decline to do?

Questions captains can ask crew

Experience and fit

What have you sailed, honestly, and can you show a logbook?
Why ask:
- Reported World Cruising Club advises crew and skippers to meet in advance, ideally for a trial sail, and to be honest about experience. It says personality matters as much as skill, and that skippers look for fit, a relaxed attitude and willingness to cook and clean.Source: Ocean Crew Link advice (crew-matching service), seen 1 October 2026.
Can we meet, or sail together, before we agree?
Why ask:
- Reported World Cruising Club advises crew and skippers to meet in advance, ideally for a trial sail, and to be honest about experience. It says personality matters as much as skill, and that skippers look for fit, a relaxed attitude and willingness to cook and clean.Source: Ocean Crew Link advice (crew-matching service), seen 1 October 2026.
What watches have you stood, by day and by night?
How do you cope with seasickness and tiredness, and what helps you?
What jobs aboard do you enjoy and which would you rather not do?
Why ask:
- Reported World Cruising Club advises crew and skippers to meet in advance, ideally for a trial sail, and to be honest about experience. It says personality matters as much as skill, and that skippers look for fit, a relaxed attitude and willingness to cook and clean.Source: Ocean Crew Link advice (crew-matching service), seen 1 October 2026.

Availability and paperwork

Can you stay for the whole passage, and how will you get home from the arrival port?
Why ask:
- Reported Crew should check passport, visa and return-ticket rules, keep an emergency flight budget, and arrange travel or medical cover that covers ocean sailing.Source: Crewseekers (crew-matching service), seen 1 October 2026.
Where have you been in the last days that count towards your stay, and what does your passport allow?
Why ask:
- Visa-exempt non-EU nationals may stay in the Schengen area for at most 90 days in any rolling 180 days. Arrival and departure days count. A passport must also have been issued within the last ten years and be valid for three months after leaving.Source: European Commission (organiser or official source), seen 1 October 2026. Check with European Commission: Schengen area before you rely on it.
Will you carry travel or medical cover that suits ocean sailing?
Why ask:
- Reported Crew should check passport, visa and return-ticket rules, keep an emergency flight budget, and arrange travel or medical cover that covers ocean sailing.Source: Crewseekers (crew-matching service), seen 1 October 2026.
Are you content with a written crew agreement before anyone books?
Why ask:
- Reported Crewseekers advises a written crew agreement that covers expectations, finances, that arrival cannot be guaranteed, crew repatriation, and insurance on each side.Source: Crewseekers (crew-matching service), seen 1 October 2026.

A checklist before you commit, with a crew agreement

We have spoken, by video or in person, and I know who is aboard.
I have read the passage: route, dates, berths, cost terms and duties.
I have the answers to the safety questions above, in words I understand.
The amount, what it covers and when it is due are written down.
I know how I get home if the passage ends early or I leave at a port.
I have checked my passport against every country on the route with the authority.
We have agreed what happens if either of us wants to withdraw.

Costs and crew agreements: what to agree in writing

Safety kit: ARC safety equipment requirements

Reported World Cruising Club's safety equipment requirements for its rallies ask for an ocean liferaft for all crew, a 406 MHz EPIRB, an AIS receiver, email at sea (satellite or SSB with Pactor) and man-overboard equipment. Every person needs an inflatable lifejacket-harness with spray hood, crotch strap, whistle and light, a three-point tether (2 m at most) and a personal AIS beacon. Safety inspectors check the boats before the start.Source: World Cruising Club (organiser or official source), seen 1 October 2026. Check with World Cruising Club: safety equipment before you rely on it.
Reported World Sailing's Offshore Special Regulations define categories from Category 0 (trans-oceanic, self-sufficient for very extended periods) through Category 1 (long distance, well offshore), Category 2 (extended, along or not far from shore) and Category 3 (open water, mostly protected) to Category 4 (short, near shore, in daylight).Source: World Sailing (organiser or official source), seen 1 October 2026.
Reported 406 MHz beacons on UK-flagged vessels must be registered with the UK Beacon Registry run by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. Registration is free and online.Source: GOV.UK (MGN 665) (organiser or official source), seen 1 October 2026. Check with UK Beacon Registry (Maritime and Coastguard Agency) before you rely on it.

These are references for your conversation, not a standard that every boat has to meet. Ask what is aboard.

Read the requirements:

What the Cheeki Rafiki report recommended

Reported The UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch found that the yacht Cheeki Rafiki capsized in 2014 after a probable keel detachment, following earlier groundings and a repair. Its recommendations covered regular keel and bolt inspection, documented flooding actions, and the position of the liferaft and the ability to board it.Source: Yachting Monthly, reporting the MAIB report (article or trade press), seen 1 October 2026.

We include it because its recommendations are the basis of several questions above: the keel, the flooding procedure and the liferaft. It is not a verdict on any boat or captain.

Last checked 1 October 2026. The facts above come from the sources linked beside each one. We have not opened every source page ourselves; check with the organiser before you rely on it. Dates, fees, deadlines and entry rules change, and only the organiser or the authority can state them.

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