The most popular sailing rallies
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The most popular sailing rallies
As part of our Safety Equipment Requirements, we require all boats to have a minimum level of communications equipment onboard and ready for use, so that we can communicate with you at sea, and should you need to call for assistance in an emergency. You can download the latest document here.
Many skippers will choose to carry far more sophisticated communications equipment than we require, because they want to stay connected to work or family. We do not compel you to have any particular brand or type of equipment, as long as you can meet the requirements.
This can be done in many ways, depending on your budget and desire for additional connectivity. At the most basic, you could use an SSB radio and a pactor modem, or opt for a data only or data and voice satcom system.
A simple system like Iridium GO! is cost-effective but slow, or you could opt for Starlink, which delivers high speed internet browsing and downloading.
Data plans can be more expensive than the hardware, so read the small print, and ask other cruisers for their experience.
While not a requirement, there will be instant messaging nets at sea, such as WhatsApp groups. If you have the capability and desire, joining these groups can be a fun part of the rally.
In addition, World ARC boats must have a way for continually monitoring either SSB voice or an instant messaging app like WhatsApp.
All boats must have a 25W DSC VHF radio with a deck speaker and emergency antenna, plus a waterproof 5W handheld VHF. This short-range communication is useful for contacting other vessels within about 10NM, and with shoreside comms from rally control and marine authorities.
Beyond the requirement for VHF, there are other options you might choose. The traditional long range voice communications method for cruisers was SSB (HF radio), and although this feels like ‘yesterday’s technology’ there are still active radio nets connecting cruisers worldwide. Unless you are planning a circumnavigation, fitting SSB is expensive, but boats with a working system can enjoy zero-cost chats, sing-alongs, cookery competitions and other wholesome fun, as well as having another means of distress calling.
The key benefit of one-to-many comms such as VHF and SSB is that you broadcast to anyone within range, so a distress call can be picked-up by multiple vessels.
Satphone systems, FaceTime, WhatsApp and VoIP calling are one-to-one, exactly like your mobile phone. You need to know the number to call. In an emergency this is good for calling the coastguard, but less useful for alerting all vessels within range to help.
In an emergency, you want to get appropriate help as soon as possible. Alongside your marine radio (VHF and possibly SSB) and sending email and VoIP calling via satcoms, we require you to have other systems available to signal distress, and to help a rescuer identify the boat. These include:
In addition, all boats must have an AIS transponder, and every lifejacket must be fitted with a personal AIS beacon.
One of the benefits of joining a rally is the loan of a YB tracker. These devices work on the Iridium network, providing vessel position, heading and speed data, which is displayed on the rally website and YB Races app. This allows friends and family to follow your progress, and for us to have oversight over the fleet in an emergency.
The YB trackers can also be used as a simple communications device, using the YB Connect app. Anyone onboard can have their own app account and use the boat’s tracker to send and receive SMS text messages. Each user buys credits and manages their own account, making YB Connect a cost-effective way to stay in touch with friends and family.
YB Connect is an add-on benefit and isn’t accepted as the boat’s method for sending and receiving email at sea on transocean rallies.
07 Oct 2025
Admiral's approach to providing hurricane cover throughout the Caribbean is one of common sense and flexibility. If adequate steps are taken when laying up the boat. we will be able to provide hurricane insurance.
03 Nov 2025
Top tips from our WCC Partners Advanced Rigging on looking after your rigging this winter
31 Oct 2024
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is a great place to buy food and drinks for an Atlantic crossing. There are excellent supermarkets, a produce market and specialist suppliers who can deliver to the marina.
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