A Superyacht Captain in the Atlantic

 Captain Jakob Westring is a superyacht captain and business owner, with over a decade of professional seagoing experience. His maritime career began in 2013 at Chalmers University of Technology, where theoretical studies were blended with hands-on training aboard merchant vessels. By 2017, he had qualified as a master mariner and set his sights on the world of yachting.

“I made the transition from merchant ships to yachts, starting as a Deckhand/OOW on a 72m private yacht cruising the Mediterranean. It was a good learning experience coming from the merchant navy, learning, painting and varnishing.”

From there, Jakob climbed the ranks. He joined the iconic 92m Tatoosh, part of Paul Allen’s Vulcan fleet, as 3rd Officer, and eventually became 2nd Officer. Cruising both the Med and Caribbean, he took on responsibilities for navigation and tenders, even seeing the yacht through a full exterior refit at Kusch Yachts.

Later, he was part of the rebuild of a 70m classic explorer yacht – a pivotal chapter in his career, in which he served as chief officer and relief captain.

“We took her on a 30,000 nm voyage across the Med, Antarctica, the Caribbean, the U.S and back. It was a year-long expedition and a career highlight.”

The yacht was the winner of the Voyager Award at the World Superyacht Awards and a finalist for Best Rebuild.

We asked Jakob to draw upon his experience crossing the vast oceans to find out more about how an Atlantic voyage differs from coastal cruising.

An Atlantic Crossing

An ocean crossing is a far cry from coastal cruising—something Jakob has come to understand deeply over the years.

“It requires more planning, including finding a good weather window. You typically map out multiple route options to adjust for changing conditions along the way. It’s also important to identify safe ports of refuge, with the Canary Islands being a common stop on an Atlantic crossing.”

While great circle routes may save time, they often take you into more volatile weather zones. Jakob explains that the best solution is often a hybrid strategy.

“A great circle route saves time but takes you farther north (in the Northern Hemisphere) or south (in the Southern Hemisphere), where you’re generally more exposed to weather. A combination of great circle and rhumb line navigation can often be a good strategy to avoid running into rough weather.”

But meticulous routing is only one part of the puzzle.

“Make sure you’re stocked on fuel and supplies, and keep it fun entertainment for the crew. Also, don’t forget to secure the yacht for sea. The last thing you want is to be lashing down gear mid-passage or realising something has come loose when it’s too late.”

Navigational Challenges Crossing the Atlantic

Despite the vast expanse of the Atlantic, it isn’t a simple “one route suits all.” No two crossings are the same; therefore, every route must be tailored to the vessel and its voyage goals.

“It depends on the yacht, the destination and the timeline. I’ve worked on yachts with enough fuel to cross without stopping for fuel. The season also plays a part, as weather tends to be seasonal, and you might choose a more southerly route to avoid the worst. Canaries is a usual stop if you’re crossing for the Caribbean – for fuel, for that extra bit of safety. Sometimes for both.”

Advice for Navigating

When asked what presents the greatest navigational challenge, Jakob keeps it simple:

“I’d say the weather. Crossing the ocean takes time and weather can change rapidly.”

This unpredictability demands constant monitoring and good tools.

“It helps to plan thoroughly and find the right weather window, then monitor the weather closely. A good aid is weather routing software. Also checking different resources, like Compass and TimeZero, to assess the situation. Then adjust your speed, using alternate routes and seek shelter if possible and needed.”

Tools and Tech

Ocean crossings require seamless integration of navigation tools and informed decision-making.

“It’s all about using the tools at your disposal to ensure a safe and efficient crossing. The integration of all the equipment working together, an integrated system including ECDIS, radar, autopilot, radio equipment as well as visually navigating.”

Jakob emphasises the key difference in blue water passages:

“The key difference in ocean crossings compared to coastal cruising is the need to monitor the weather closely. You need to anticipate how weather fronts will move and what conditions might be a few days ahead. A good weather routing software or meteorological assistance can be invaluable.”

Keeping the Crew Going

Long days and open horizons can take their toll, but morale can be managed with foresight and creativity.

“First of all, make sure you are stocked up on healthy snacks and food. Running out of the favourite snack and running low on good food is a certain morale killer. Then get the crew involved in setting a few quiz nights and favourite workout challenges.”

But morale goes hand-in-hand with preparation. For Jakob, the foundation of a successful crossing is a well-trained, confident crew that knows how to handle anything the ocean might throw at them.

“It’s more about the training leading up to the crossing, making sure you can trust your crew. Having procedures for different emergencies and SOPs and checklists making sure you have not forgotten about anything important. We make sure the safety gear is up to date and checked weekly, and the crew trained for different emergencies, making sure everyone feels safe.”

Whether it’s a quiz night or an emergency drill, building a strong onboard culture where everyone feels engaged, supported, and prepared, is what turns a voyage into a cohesive operation. Because out at sea, your greatest asset is always your crew.

Top Tips for an Ocean Crossing

With thousands of nautical miles under his belt, Jakob distils his experience into two key takeaways – one rooted in planning, the other in instinct.

“Preparation is key and follow your gut feeling.”

And for those about to undertake their first major passage, his advice is simple. Don’t overcomplicate it, but don’t underestimate it either.

“Don’t take any unnecessary risks and get a good weather routing software.”

These words, grounded in real-world experience, reflect a mindset essential to ocean voyaging: plan thoroughly, trust your judgment, and let the data work for you, not the other way around.

After multiple ocean crossings, Jakob now splits his time between onboard as a relief captain and ashore with his company, Tendercraft.

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