How does it work? Our Network is a community platform to link crew and passengers to boatowners vested in sailing to COP30. Ultimately, it is up to you to sign up as crew here and/or sign up as a passenger here. You can also introduce yourselves to boat owners in the Vetted Boats Collection by identifying the captain and messaging them directly, asking for a 121 chat, etc. 

When are we sailing? In short, it depends! Check out Twister’s itinerary by clicking here, but each boat’s captain will decide! Some boats are faster, some are slower. The plan is to get everyone there well in time for the conference. We’re working on an interactive map that will display this information easily 🙂 

Isn’t October too early to set sail from Europe? This has been discussed in more detail on the network, including research using the global Pilot Charts showing historical wind and waves in every month. In summary, many vessels will be setting sail at this time.

How much will the trip cost? In short, it also depends! Non-commercial vessels can only ask for a reasonable contribution to fuel/repairs/marina fees, etc. For crew, this usually ranges between 5-50 euros per day (PLUS commitment to all sorts of tasks to keep the boat afloat and the crew/passengers fed and watered). So, we are suggesting to be prepared to contribute 20 euros a day – so save up 1000 euros for a six week trip (four weeks of travel and two week in Belem). This doesn’t include onward travel. For commercial vessels, where you are a passenger, it means you buy a ticket, sit back and relax (or plot and scheme). This can range from €2000 upwards, and can easily be €8,000, not including the return. 

It sounds expensive? It can be, and this trip is not for the faint hearted! We are working on ways to mitigate this, including a raffle, bursary places and supplying you with sponsorship skills, training and the confidence to go out and raise some of this money yourselves. UPDATE – we are looking into F4C Charters to provide more spaces and are trying to bring costs down.

Are any boats returning directly back to Europe? We are working with Karel from Fair Ferry to see if they will be able to return directly. If Flotilla4Change charter a vessel, we aim to ensure at least one vessel will return directly to Europe. 

Is it safe? Is anything safe? We are working to set up Flotilla4Change as a charity, which requires a certain level of due diligence and safeguarding. Our Resources Collection will indicate ways to ensure your own safety, such as gaining practical experience on vessels before departure and accreditations such as ‘Competent Crew,’ and ‘Day Skipper.’ All boatowners/captains are vetted prior to joining the community, including submission of insurance and vessel worthiness. They will also be required to undertake a safeguarding and racism training prior to departure.

What about the return journey?  Most fares do no include a return journey. Please check with the boat directly. Some vessels will be staying in the Caribbean until the northern hemisphere spring. We are looking into chartering a vessel that can return immediately after COP30. If you are concerned and do not want to fly, please consider the following: container ships, cruise ships, volunteering as crew on another sail boat, paying to sail on a boat, (Crewbay, Facebook groups, etc). We hope to provide further information on this, but feel free to share any insights on the network and we can collate everything in the Resources Section in due course.