Fabian Fernandez

Fabian Fernandez is one of very few Malaysian sailors to undertake a short-handed circumnavigation in a sailboat. In an OCC interview he describes the cultural, linguistic and financial barriers he has encountered as well as the great support he has received from his Ocean Cruising Club mentor in America. His 1800 mile qualifying passage was completed double handed in 2023. Unusually, it began in Langkawi and ended in the Maldives but the real achievement here is that this is an Asian sailor who has struggled to follow his dream. Once his trade-wind circumnavigation is complete he wants to prepare a new boat, S/V Challenge, for a more arduous Northwest Passage and Figure of 8 circumnavigation of the Americas.