Building a Culture of Safety at Sea with Ministry of Sailing's John Schafer

Sailfaster: The Podcast For Racing Sailors

In this episode we dive into a critical topic: safety at sea. I’m joined by John Schafer, founder of Ministry of Sailing, a platform dedicated to improving safety, training, and risk management for sailors of all levels, whether they’re involved in offshore racing, coastal cruising, or inshore sailing. John’s a highly-experienced racing sailor and marine safety expert dedicated to enhancing safety standards across the sailing community. He shares his insights on how to foster a culture of safety, the importance of man overboard drills and the oft-overlooked challenge of getting someone back onboard, the power of communication in emergencies and practical steps every sailor should take to stay prepared. Whether you’re a seasoned sailor or stepping onto a race boat for the first time, this episode is packed with actionable advice. Learn how to transform your team into a cohesive unit, mitigate risks, and approach every sailing adventure with the right tools, training, and mindset