What Does a Novice Crew Member Do on an Atlantic Crossing?
Planning your first Atlantic crossing but not sure what to expect? Here's what's expected of a novice crew member.
Héloïse6 min readUpdated on
Contents
Close contact with nature, shared moments, personal growth… Sailing across the Atlantic is an experience in its own right and a formative one in many ways, drawing plenty of aspiring sailors.
But when you want to take the plunge, one essential question inevitably comes up: what is a beginner's role on an Atlantic crossing? Today, we walk you through the different tasks of a novice crew member before and during the crossing!
What is an Atlantic crossing?
If you're reading this, you're most likely new to the world of Atlantic crossings. So let's quickly go over the basics!
An Atlantic crossing (or "transat" to those in the know) means crossing the Atlantic Ocean by boat (monohull, catamaran, sailboat…), usually between Europe and the Caribbean (Martinique, Guadeloupe, Saint Lucia…). A crossing under sail covers 5,000 to 6,000 km and takes 15 to 25 days at sea.
Depending on the size of the boat, a crew is made up of 2 to 6 people on a 12- to 15-metre sailboat, including a skipper (captain) and 1 to 5 crew members.
The skipper is legally and technically responsible for the boat: they oversee the navigation (route, manoeuvres, safety, etc.). The crew members stand watches, carry out manoeuvres and handle the daily chores.
The novice crew member's tasks
Dreaming of heading offshore but not sure what to expect? Here's a detailed look at what's expected of a novice crew member.
Before departure
The preparation phase is essential for a crossing in the best possible conditions. Not only does it make sure the boat is ready for this long voyage, it also helps you bond with the crew.
Getting to know the boat and organising it
First of all, the novice crew member starts by getting familiar with the boat, which will be both their workplace and their home for the whole crossing.
They learn the different areas of the boat, including the saloon, the cabins, the deck, the lockers, the storage compartments, the galley and the chart table. This step is crucial for finding your way around quickly from the very start of the crossing.
⚓ Safety first: from the very first days, the novice learns where to find the lifejackets, fire extinguishers, circuit breakers, flares and first-aid kit.
The apprentice also helps organise the boat by tidying the deck and lockers, decluttering the common areas and securing/stowing anything likely to shift at sea.
Equipment inventory
The preparation phase is the time to make sure all the gear needed for navigation, safety and daily life is on board.
Under the skipper's supervision, the sailor in training helps take inventory of the equipment:
- Sails, halyards, sheets, winches, lines
- Navigation gear: GPS, compass, charts, binoculars, head torches
- Safety gear: liferaft, VHF (very high frequency) radio, lights and flares, lifejackets
- Everyday gear: galley equipment, repair tools, bedding
During the inventory, the novice crew member helps note down everything that needs checking or may require repairs.
Provisioning
Once the equipment has been checked, it's time to load and stow the provisions.
🥫 Practical tip: food is distributed according to its weight, how often it's used or its shelf life.
At this stage, products are logged and labelled according to their expiry date. Excess packaging is also removed to avoid clutter and waste.
Technical checks
With the help of the skipper and the other crew members, the beginner checks:
| Check | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Boat lighting and navigation lights | Visibility at sea |
| Gas and fresh water pumps | Vital functions on board |
| Lockers and bilges | Safety and stability |
| Safety equipment | Full test: lifejacket, harness, jackline, distress flares |
Weather preparation, briefing and route
The beginner can almost feel the salty offshore spray on their face… Departure is getting close!
But there's one last step before weighing anchor: the briefing meeting, during which the skipper goes over the safety, navigation and life-on-board guidelines.
The skipper also explains the planned route, any stopovers and the forecast weather conditions. Even though these aspects are mainly handled by the skipper, it's important for the beginner to pay close attention so they fully understand the voyage and what it involves.
🌊 This time, it's official: the crew is ready to set sail!
On board
The boat is now slicing through the waves… But for the crew, this is no time to take it easy! Everyone, including the novice sailor, has to pull their weight to ensure smooth sailing and a balanced life on board.
Standing watches
During a crossing, the boat needs constant supervision: someone always has to keep an eye on the route, the navigation instruments and the weather.
The crew therefore takes turns day and night on a watch system, with each watch lasting between 2 and 4 hours.
For their first watches, the novice is paired with an experienced crew member. Their role is mainly to observe: checking the course, spotting other vessels, noting changes in the weather.
💤 Crew tip: sleeping during your off-watch hours is essential to stay alert on watch.
Taking part in manoeuvres
From their very first crossings, the novice crew member gets hands-on! They can take part in some routine manoeuvres:
- Hoisting or lowering the sails
- Trimming a sheet (pulling on the line to adjust the sail)
- Tacking (changing direction)
- Reefing (reducing the area of the mainsail)
🧭 The key to successful sailing: listening, quick reactions and clear communication with the skipper and the crew.
Keeping the logbook
Every watch ends with an update of the logbook. The crew member records:
- The time
- The GPS coordinates
- The heading
- The average speed
- The wind strength and direction
- Any notable events
The logbook helps anticipate problems and keeps a record of the voyage. This is how the beginner learns to record and interpret key data.
Daily life
Life on a boat isn't only about sailing: you also have to keep life together and comfort on board running smoothly!
The novice sailor helps with:
- Preparing meals, washing up and managing supplies
- Cleaning, maintenance and hygiene
- Keeping the different areas of the boat tidy
🌅 Between effort and contemplation: watching dolphins, conversations, sunsets and starry skies are also part of the voyage.
What a novice crew member can't do
We've just described everything that's expected of a novice crew member on their first crossings, but what about the things they can't do?
- Decide on a manoeuvre or a change of course on their own
- Operate critical systems (sails, engines, electrical systems)
- Ignore an instruction from the skipper
- Be alone on deck without a harness
- Use the VHF without supervision
🚫 Generally speaking, the novice sailor should observe, listen and not make decisions on their own — for their own safety and that of the whole crew.
FAQ
What training should a novice crew member take?
There are several ways to train for an Atlantic crossing. The offshore licence (opens in a new tab) in particular provides the theoretical knowledge and skills needed for the crossing. This can be complemented by a CRR (opens in a new tab) (restricted radiotelephone operator's certificate), which is mandatory for using VHF equipment. Finally, hands-on offshore courses will help you firmly absorb all the essential knowledge and skills.Are there grants for novice crew members?
Yes, there are grants that allow novice crew members to make their first crossings at a lower cost. Some sailing clubs and associations, for example, offer financial support to new sailors. In addition, platforms such as EveryTransatlantic allow skippers to offer free crossings to anyone who wants to try the Atlantic crossing adventure.Can you sail on a boat for free?
In exchange for helping with tasks on board, it's possible to join a sailboat for free. The key is to make sure the offer is trustworthy and includes a crew agreement.Now that you know what's expected of a novice crew member on an Atlantic crossing, all that's left is to take the leap!
Browse all the listings from skippers welcoming apprentice sailors on their crossing.
