What are the rules for boating/sailing around the world?

Question

lets say i bought a boat or a small yacht. anything were i can go aound the world or even island hopping. are there any special permits to get. what are the international sea rules or laws I would need to know before thriyng it. has anybody done something like this or similar?

Answer 1

Well, you start with a boating license for your area, and make sure you follow the regulations regarding boating liceses for any area you plan to go. There are international laws on the water, something you also learn in boating class.

In my area, it seems sometimes the only law is that you have to be an idiot to buy a boat and must drink lots of beer ;)

Answer 2

Here in the USA there are two sets of "rules of the road"  Inland and International.  For the most part they are common sense things.  Just about every book on sailing has chapters on "Rules of the Road"

As long as you never plan on entering a forgien port  or return to the USA, you really don't need any permits.  Once you decide to enter a port things can and do get interesting.

Every country has its own laws so everything is relative.

I would suggest you do a web search on circumnavigation, learn what others have gone through.

What is your definition of a small boat????

Answer 3

I would have a Passport! Food, Water and Beer. No guns! It seem funny but many countries not think about guns like USA, they take your guns, boat and put you in jail/prison until the U.S. Ambassador for that country get around to you. Have plenty of repair goodies. Sewing kit or something to repair sails and have a few extras. Know how to jury rig masts should one get broke. It not hard, but, think of the different scenarios you may encounter and what simple easy to carry things you would need to fix. Duck Tape may save your life. What will you do if a Whale decide to knock a big hole in your boat? Believe me this has happened, not sure of the link, but, a man and woman lost their boat to "Moby d**k" back in the 70's and floated in a life raft for a very long time before someone seen them.

This link is Wiki and just a short read. The map on right click and see larger, it give a basic route many use.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circumnavig...

Here just one article of lost at sea;

http://english.pravda.ru/news/world/09-1...

Preparation and planning can go a long way in a survival situation.

Answer 4

To answer your last (sentence) question first yes I have done this! Now back to sentence number one !

If you paid for this yacht in full great bring along your proof, but if it is mortgaged then you will likely need a release from the lender!  This may even be required in the contract!  

Sentence number two the only permits required are the normal things like radio station licenses, radio operators permits, dog licenses, gun registrations,( in some countries these last two things may be confiscated regardless), documentation for the boat and the dinghy!  

There are two many things that you would need to know

for the safety of you, your boat and your crew two list them here!

A USA Coast Guard Captains License would be a

very good thing to have for your own peace of mind about the

international sea rules and laws!  You really need to know them but it's not required.

Don't forget your Passports and Visas