Rally Update 3: June

Hello fellow sailor

It's time to prepare your crew for the adventure of a lifetime!

This update is all about people, and contains important information for skippers and crew on vaccinations, international travel, visas and personal safety.

On your World ARC adventure, you’ll pass through 17 countries, which are all special in their own way. Thinking ahead now, means you will be best prepared for every eventuality and you will be able to enjoy all the destinations as much as possible. 

In this Rally Update you'll find:

• Key dates
• Visas
• Health & vaccinations
• Crew fees explained
• Changing crew - travel advice
• Personal safety
• Admiral Marine special offer

Next month, we'll look at practicalities like servicing and repairs, berthing and shipping spares. If there is a topic that you have a question about, please don't hesitate to ask us, or take a look through the Rally Handbook - there's lots of useful information in there!

If you have any questions, please contact Martine and Emma in our Cowes office mail@worldcruising.com or +44 (0)1983 296060

We'll see you soon!

Suzana, Paul and the Team

World Cruising Club

Sunset in French Polynesia, World ARC 2026-27

Visas

For most British, EU and American citizens, the only rally destinations where you currently need to apply for a visa in advance are Australia, Namibia and Brazil (US citizens).

For other rally destinations, visas can be applied for on arrival.

If you hold a different passport please check the visa requirements on the country pages of noonsite.com or the government websites of the countries on the rally route.

Please note that countries may change their immigration and visa requirements at short notice, and you must ensure that you have the correct documentation.

Australia

You will need a multiple entry visa for cruising between Mackay and Darwin, and for visiting Christmas Island and Cocos Keeling. Visas must be applied for in advance when you are outside the country.

The ETA 601 (Electronic Travel Authority) is valid for a stay of up to 3 months only.

The eVisitor 651 is valid for stays of up to 3 months and lasts for 12 months.

Visitor visa 600 can be granted for stays of 3, 6 or 12 months, depending on nationality.

There are specific visas for paid skippers and crew.

Click here for more information.

Indonesia

Almost all visitors to Indonesia need a visa.

If you are joining the Rally in Indonesia you will need to arrange your own visa and Immigration clearance. Boats on the Rally sailing from Darwin to Lombok will be supported by the rally team.

For more information about e-visas and visas on arrival in Indonesia, click here.

Brazil

US, Canadian and Australian citizens need a visa for Brazil. The easiest way to apply is for a 90-day online e-visa whilst you are in South Africa. Click here for more information.

Passport expiry

Please check your passport expiry date to ensure that you have a minimum of 6 months (or the minimum required for that country) when you arrive at your last rally port. In some destinations you will also require two consecutive blank pages for stamps, so it may be worth renewing your passport before setting off on the Rally.

Read more...

Health & Vaccinations

Changing Crew

When you sign up for World ARC, you suddenly find that all your friends want to come and see you in exciting places around the world!

Generally, the most interesting places to visit have the most challenging travel connections. If you have crew joining the boat during the Rally, please read the info sheet for our advice and recommendations.

For advice about air travel between each destination and further advice on visas and Immigration, view:

World ARC Travel & Crew Change sheet

Crew Fees and Packs Explained

Crew fees are linked to the boat, not to a named person and are always paid by the skipper/owner.

The types of crew fees are:

Core crew

Core crew places are for the number of people who will always be on the boat. The minimum number is two people, including the skipper. If you are always going to have four people on the boat (even if the people might change from leg to leg), buy four core crew places.

Core crew fees are non-refundable.

Crew pack

The packs are for 10 person-rally legs. They are credits you can call on during the official sailing legs of the Rally. For example, if you are joined by 3 friends on the leg from Panama to Galapagos, you would use up 3 of your 10 credits, leaving you with seven for future rally stages.

Unused crew pack places are refundable at the end of the Rally.

Individual crew leg

This is a single place for use on one leg of the Rally. For example, if you only sail with two people onboard but will be joined by a friend on the leg from Réunion to South Africa, buy a single leg crew fee. Individual crew leg fees are non-refundable.

Children

Children aged under 6 on 1 January 2027 are free - no fees to be paid. Children aged between 6 and 16 on 1 January 2027 pay 50% of the adult fee. All children must be registered, irrespective of their age.

Independent cruising

Cruising stages like in French Polynesia, Mackay to Darwin or Richards Bay to Cape Town are independent (or 'free') cruising periods when you make your own plans and destinations. Crew fees are not needed for these stages of the Rally, but all crew on board must be registered.

Personal Safety

All sailors have a personal responsibility to manage their own safety, and that includes ensuring they have the right skills and equipment.

Safety training

We strongly recommend that all crew undertake appropriate training - the World Sailing Offshore Personal Survival courses are available in many countries around the world.

Hamble School of Yachting in the UK runs the World Sailing course and RYA sea survival courses, alongside specialist weather and first aid courses.

First aid training

Most land-based first aid courses focus on helping the casualty before the ambulance arrives. Sailors need additional training and equipment as it's unlikely help will be close at hand. Find a specific maritime first aid course if possible. In the UK, the RYA First Aid Course is a good start, and STCW/MCA 4-day medical first aid courses are available worldwide.

Personal safety equipment

Every crew member must have a lifejacket with harness. This must be fitted with a whistle, light, retro-reflective tape, crotch strap, spray hood, a personal AIS beacon, and be marked with the boat or owner's name.

The safety line for use with the lifejacket must be maximum 2m long with a hook at each end and one intermediate hook in the middle. A middle loop is acceptable if the lifejacket has a harness release system (HRS).

Each adult crew member should carry a sailing knife whilst onboard.

We recommend that all crew have a 406MHz EPIRB personal locator beacon (PLB) in addition to the AIS personal locator beacon attached to the lifejacket. If you don't want two units, these are available as a combined PLB, but check first that it will fit your lifejacket.

Read more: Safety Equipment Requirements 2026

Rally Handbook pages 02/4-30 and 02/66-71

As you prepare for World ARC 2027-28, Admiral Marine is pleased to offer 12 months’ cover for the price of 10 to World Cruising Club participants. Where an extended policy is offered, an equivalent discount will be applied to the premium.

Having been a corporate sponsor of World Cruising Club for over 25 years, Admiral's experienced team is well versed with our rallies and can tailor your policy to suit your needs.

Speak to them on 01722 416106 to explore the full range of benefits available to World Cruising Club members, or request your quotation today. Terms, conditions and exclusions apply.