Life On Board During A Passage

Since starting my yachting career, I’ve covered over 6,000 nautical on the West Coast of the US, cruised throughout Florida, The Bahamas and partially up the East Coast. Here’s a little insight of what life on board during a passage is like.

Of course every boat is different. These are solely my experiences.

Gearing Up

Before a passage, crew need to prepare. Make sure all safety equipment are in working condition, stow valuables that might move around underway, provision the boat with enough food, water and toiletries to make for a comfortable passage and finally fuel up! 

On Watch

Usually extended passages start as early as possible to get the most out of the day and get a jump on good sea conditions. 

Regardless, while underway there should really (legally) be two people in the bridge at all times. This is called “watch”. You can guess what they’re doing. Usually one is the “officer of the watch”, or qualified captain/mate/driver you could say, while the other is the “lookout”. 

Both parties are responsible for safely navigating the vessel during this time. Depending on how many crew members you have, your watch may be anywhere from 2 hours to 6 hours. I typically have been on boats with a 4 hour watch schedule. My shift being 12-4. Meaning twice a day, once at noon- 4pm and again at midnight to 4am, I was on watch. The time in-between that, I was off. Most likely sleeping, eating, relaxing, but sometimes also fishing.

During The Day

Of course, even underway there is plenty of work to be done: laundry, vacuuming, making meals, etc. If conditions are easy, you might even be asked to go outside and continue on with certain regular deck work. Some boats with large crews, work “normal days” underway if they’re not a part of the watch schedule. UGH.

Into The Night

Night watches though are eerie. You’re surrounded by complete darkness. You might be able to see the waves beside you, but that’s all. You might pass a couple boat lights but that’s it. It really makes you realize how f*^ked you’d be if you somehow went overboard or an emergency happened. You feel completed isolated. 

At the same time, it’s kinda freeing. You gain a certain removed perspective of the world while staring into nothingness for such long hours. ALSO THE STARS, UNREAL. 

Braving The Elements

Depending on the conditions and your location your first passage is probably gonna literally blow chunks. Or at least that’s how mine went. I had done plenty of cruises, boat excursions and recreational boating but being in the open ocean, especially the West Coast, was a completely different beast.

Really it just takes some time to get your sea legs that’s all. You get used to it. Those were typically my experiences while on the West Coast. So far the East Coast has been much more forgiving. Plus, having the Intercostal Waterway or ICW to use as an alternative route up or down the East Coast to protect you from weather and waves makes for smooth sailing.

If you’d like to see some of the conditions we braved on the West Coast last year, check it out here on my TikTok. Thank you all for reading and let me know if you have any questions!!